La Jolla Caves
La Jolla Caves
4.5
About
Seven elongated fissures in the cliff walls that can be entered during low tide.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view










Top ways to experience La Jolla Caves and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
237 within 5 kms
Attractions
100 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
737 reviews
Excellent
392
Very good
241
Average
71
Poor
21
Terrible
12
cubby61990
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Business
Nice ocean . Great viewing of pelicans , cormorants, and sea lions. Because of bird life a bit smelly. Some may find smell offensive. Good beach front lunch and breakfast places within walking distance. Visitors should view wildlife from a distance.
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dolittledigger
michigan952 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
A stop you just have to do when visiting San Diego. Not a lot of time is needed here. Parking may be hard.
We just strolled along the walkway, walked down to the area where sea lions are. We saw a baby being rescued.
A pretty area to roam
We just strolled along the walkway, walked down to the area where sea lions are. We saw a baby being rescued.
A pretty area to roam
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WBJM2009
Little Rock, AR790 contributions
Mar 2023
I believe this area is right by the Cave Store. Beautiful views - you can walk along the path (near the street) to other beach areas with sea lions.
Written 25 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoPlaces55313826319
1 contribution
Apr 2023
I loved this part of our trip! This area is beautiful and fun. We also enjoyed the Torrie Pines area!
Written 21 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D B
7 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
Weather was great. Saw tons of seals, pelicans, etc. Enjoyed the walk and all the areas you could go down to. Got lots of great pics.
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David
5 contributions
Oct 2022
Impressive from the cliff top but so much more from the water.
Kayaks can be rented or tours booked at La Jolla Shores which will get you closer to and into the caves with close up contact with seal lions and fish. Highly recommended.
Kayaks can be rented or tours booked at La Jolla Shores which will get you closer to and into the caves with close up contact with seal lions and fish. Highly recommended.
Written 1 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PatriciaPhillips33
Sterling, VA10 contributions
Jan 2022
January 2022 I made a dive to the La Jolla Caves through SCUBA San Diego. It was great. As an older, east coast boat diver, who had never done a shore entry in surf conditions, I had a wonderful time in a completely new environment (and temperature).
Shore entry in surf was new to me, and I had a free-flow from my second reg. The life guards immediately notified me of the situation -- nice to have over-watch. The dive was shallow, about 25-30 feet max, but it's a great experience having seals zipping around you as you enjoy the other underwater life. The "caves" are really a swim-through. We had lots of surge, but I wouldn't have missed it.
SCUBA San Diego provides good service, a great guide, and were very flexible.
Cole (my guide) is an accomplished diver and a great guide. I enjoyed the kelp, sea lions, fish, and everything else along with the caves. I had scheduled a follow-on night dive with Cole at La Jolla Canyon, but a last minute conflict I forced me to call the dive. Ron (the owner of SCUBA San Diego) had no problems sending me a certificate for full credit for the next time (soon, I hope) I come out. Being in business since 1968, I felt very comfortable accepting the certificate. All-in-all, a great experience. The Caves make for a great dive and I highly recommend SCUBA San Diego! And HIGHLY recommend Cole.
Chris P.
Shore entry in surf was new to me, and I had a free-flow from my second reg. The life guards immediately notified me of the situation -- nice to have over-watch. The dive was shallow, about 25-30 feet max, but it's a great experience having seals zipping around you as you enjoy the other underwater life. The "caves" are really a swim-through. We had lots of surge, but I wouldn't have missed it.
SCUBA San Diego provides good service, a great guide, and were very flexible.
Cole (my guide) is an accomplished diver and a great guide. I enjoyed the kelp, sea lions, fish, and everything else along with the caves. I had scheduled a follow-on night dive with Cole at La Jolla Canyon, but a last minute conflict I forced me to call the dive. Ron (the owner of SCUBA San Diego) had no problems sending me a certificate for full credit for the next time (soon, I hope) I come out. Being in business since 1968, I felt very comfortable accepting the certificate. All-in-all, a great experience. The Caves make for a great dive and I highly recommend SCUBA San Diego! And HIGHLY recommend Cole.
Chris P.
Written 2 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Penelope M
Katy, TX8 contributions
Aug 2021
We actually did not go into the caves but admired them from afar. We saw a lot of people snorkeling and kayaking. The water was beautiful. We also got to see some Sea Lions laying around enjoying the sun.
Written 25 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jodi m
Manitowoc, WI10 contributions
Jul 2021
A fun morning kayaking and seeing the coastline. Waves, sea lions, fish, it was a great time! Reasonable price, great guides at La Jolla Kayak! High recommend.
Written 29 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sachiko
Monrovia, CA6 contributions
May 2021
When we went there, there was some construction going on, so we had to park the car on the street up or down from where actual location of the store as the entrance. Just reminding you all, you have to go down over 140 steps of stairways, means you have to come back up. Our legs were so sore later that day at night and the next day for climbing those steps up.
Written 14 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bluebird627
Emporia, KS10 contributions
Do you have tandem kayaks?
Mario T
Brooklyn, NY3 contributions
Here's one: adventure.everydaycalifornia
There's probably others as well- I just Googled "La Jolla Kayaks"
Are the kayak tours available in February?
canalcruiser
California99 contributions
There are several companies operating Kayak tours. You can check under "Activities" on Trip Advisor or Google Kayak Tours La Jolla. Several operate year round, though sometimes only on weekends in the winter. It can be cold, though and this winter is much more rainy than usual -- so check the weather and dress accordingly! (By the way, the tour companies say they take tours of the caves. The kayak's don't go into the caves. They go past a number of shallow caves and usually stop outside and peer into the big cave. If you are kayaking on your own -- you can go through the cave (only about 30 feet wide) on one side and come out the other BUT, on weekends there will usually be a lifeguard or kayak company employee telling you you can't (because the don't want the tours going through so they just exclude everyone) and, if you're doing it on your own -- do not enter if water levels are low or if there is any sort of surge. It can be very dangerous! You should only attempt it in flat water where the cave rocks are well covered by water and when there is no surge. And even then it is not for amateurs! Have fun.
Vonnie S
Ridgefield66 contributions
Can I take a short walk or drive to see caves? Travelling with disabled person
floshel
Montreal, Canada246 contributions
I don't know how far you want to go or the disability factor. I think you can be on top at street level and look down on the beach\caves. However if you want to go on the beach and closer to the caves there are stairs and uneven terrain which may make it tougher for your travelling partner. Perhaps best to call the La Jolla tourist center. Best of luck.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingLA JOLLA CAVES: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about La Jolla Caves
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience La Jolla Caves:
- La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour (From RMÂ 184.56)
- Original La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour for Two (From RMÂ 509.28)
- Coastal Beauty - Private Sunset & Night Photography Tour (From RMÂ 2,266.08)
- The Plunge E-Bike Tour in La Jolla (From RMÂ 929.79)
- La Jolla Coast Walking Tour (From RMÂ 280.34)
- Hotels near La Jolla Caves:
- (0.05 km) Beachfront Bliss at La Jolla Cove
- (0.14 km) Seashore III by AvantStay | In the Heart of La Jolla! 5mins from the Beach!
- (0.14 km) Seashore VI by AvantStay | Cozy La Jolla Flat 5mins from the Beach!
- (0.14 km) Seashore IV by AvantStay | Comfortable La Jolla Flat 5mins from the Beach!
- (0.14 km) Seashore VII by AvantStay | Modern La Jolla Flat 5mins from the Beach!
- Restaurants near La Jolla Caves:
- (0.04 km) Goldfish Point Cafe
- (0.06 km) Eddie V's Prime Seafood
- (0.11 km) Brockton Villa Restaurant
- (0.14 km) George's at the Cove
- (0.15 km) La Dolce Vita Ristorante