The honest take
Most sea caves need a kayak. This one needs a gift shop. Inside The Cave Store on Coast Blvd, you pay a small fee and walk down 145 steps through a hand-dug tunnel to a wooden platform inside Sunny Jim Cave, with the ocean sloshing right below you.
It’s short, it’s damp and it’s honestly delightful. The cave got its name because the opening looks like a cartoon character’s profile from a 1900s cereal ad, which is the most San Diego origin story possible.
The steps are steep and can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip. Coming back up is the real workout, so count it as your exercise for the day and reward yourself with a snack in the village.
Worth it? Skip it?
Worth it if
You’re already at La Jolla Cove, you like odd history, or you want a sea cave without getting wet.
Skip it if
You have bad knees, hate tight spaces, or expected an hour-long adventure. It’s about 15 minutes.
Quick facts
| Area | La Jolla, 1325 Coast Blvd (inside The Cave Store) |
| Cost | $13 adults, $7 ages 3 to 17; tickets at the door only |
| Parking | Metered and free street parking around La Jolla Cove; it’s tight |
| Best time | Weekday mornings, before the cove crowds |
| Kids | Yes, if they can manage 145 steps each way |
Photo: Dave Bunnell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
