La Jolla truly is the jewel that we’re so lucky to have on our doorstep. With its many wonderful beaches, nature finds, and wildlife, it’s hard not to fall in love immediately. San Diegans escape the city often in beautiful La Jolla, but hey – there’s always a gem you may have not yet discovered. Ever visited Sunny Jim’s Cave – aka the only sea cave in La Jolla that you can reach without traveling over water?
Sunny Jim’s Cave
To visit this amazing gem, head to the Cave Store on Coast Boulevard. First thing you’ll notice here are the dozens of pictures that tell the unique and fun history of this spot. You’ll learn all about the adventure you’re about to take!
To reach this unique cave, you’ll need to go through a century old, man-made tunnel. German artist and entrepreneur Gustav Schultz hired two Chinese laborers in 1902 to dig it – it goes from the Cave Store, which was then his residence, through the sandstone cliffs, all the way into Sunny Jim’s Cave.
It took these 3 men 2 years to finalize the tunnel. The only question was: would local pay to see the cave?
Luckily for Gustav, the project was an instant success, and locals and visitors alike started lining up to discover this unique cave. Back then, there was only one way down – through a rope. While the risk level decreased since then, it still takes some work to get to Sunny Jim’s Cave. You’ll have to go down the 145 wooden steps, which can sometimes get uneven and (are always) wet. This is doable for most people, as long as you take your time and watch your step! Of course, don’t forget that you also need to come back up…so decide for yourself if this little adventure is right for you.
Explore the only cave in La Jolla accessible by land
Tours are approximately 15-20 minutes long and self-guided. You’ll usually have the entire tunnel and sea cave for yourself and your party, but there are also some walk-in days.
Once you get to the cave, from the viewing platform, you’ll see the water flow in and out. It’s a great little show that nature puts on. The ocean will also be loud and overwhelming – in a good way – due to the great echo. Enjoy the views and sounds, but please remember that you cannot swim from here. Though you may see some swimmers or divers coming from the water!
Name and historical uses
In case you were wondering where Sunny Jim’s Cave got its name from, it’s inspired by Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz. The cave’s opening looked like a mascot for a British cereal, called Sunny Jim. As cute as that is, the cave also has some darker details in its past. For example, we’re nowadays pretty sure that it was used to smuggle booze (and other stuff) during prohibition.
Peaked your interest? Head to Sunny Jim’s Cave and explore this little gem in La Jolla for yourself!