La Jolla Caves Beach

Located in San Diego in Southern California, La Jolla Caves Beach is a rocky beach nestled between La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores Beach. The main draw of this beach is the collection of sea caves to the north, which have immense historical significance − they are over 75 million years old and were once used for smuggling by pirates in the 1800s.

La Jolla Caves Beach doesn’t have basic amenities like restrooms, showers, and lifeguards, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.

The calm and clear waters here are great for kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Since there isn’t much sand here, it’s best suited for water sports. The La Jolla Kayak Tour is a popular option that starts at $39 per person. On this tour, visitors meet at La Jolla Shores Beach, tour all seven of the La Jolla Caves, and explore the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. The abundant marine life at the La Jolla Ecological Reserve also makes it a popular destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. If you want to stay on shore, you can still visit the La Jolla Caves. The largest cave, also known as the Sunny Jim Sea Cave, is located at La Jolla Cove which is only a 10-minute drive from La Jolla Shores Beach. It is accessible through a tunnel that starts in The Cave Store and takes visitors to a viewing platform inside the cave. The self-guided tour costs $25 for a group of 6 people and takes about 20 minutes to complete. Viewing slots fill up quickly during the high season, so be sure to buy your tickets ahead of time.

The beach is only accessible by foot during low tide − the most popular way to get there is by parking in the free lot at La Jolla Shores Beach and kayaking over.

The calm and clear waters here are great for kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Since there isn’t much sand here, it’s best suited for water sports. The La Jolla Kayak Tour is a popular option that starts at $39 per person. On this tour, visitors meet at La Jolla Shores Beach, tour all seven of the La Jolla Caves, and explore the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. The abundant marine life at the La Jolla Ecological Reserve also makes it a popular destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. If you want to stay on shore, you can still visit the La Jolla Caves. The largest cave, also known as the Sunny Jim Sea Cave, is located at La Jolla Cove which is only a 10-minute drive from La Jolla Shores Beach. It is accessible through a tunnel that starts in The Cave Store and takes visitors to a viewing platform inside the cave. The self-guided tour costs $25 for a group of 6 people and takes about 20 minutes to complete. Viewing slots fill up quickly during the high season, so be sure to buy your tickets ahead of time.

If you get hungry, take a short 5-minute walk from La Jolla Shores Beach to the Cheese Shop for a delicious sandwich to refuel after your cave tour. You’ll also find many restaurants within a 10-minute walk from the beach. Galaxy Taco offers California-inspired Mexican food in an alfresco setting with a full tequila bar. If you’re looking for fine dining, we like The Marine Room for fresh seafood and gorgeous views of the water.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, there are many nearby options. The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club offers resort-style accommodations with access to a private section of La Jolla Shores Beach. You can also stay at Hotel La Jolla, a rare high-rise hotel in the area that offers sweeping views of the shoreline. Another option is La Jolla Shores Hotel, a California casual hotel just steps from the sand.