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Sea Lion Caves

91560 Highway 101 North, Florence, OR 97439
541 547 3111
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Ranked #10 of 19 attractions in Florence
Type: Caverns/ Caves
Activities: Viewing wildlife
Owner description: Considered the largest sea cave in the United States, this site is where Steller sea lions and their cubs take shelter each year. Sea Lion Caves is a... more » Owner description: Considered the largest sea cave in the United States, this site is where Steller sea lions and their cubs take shelter each year. Sea Lion Caves is a privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary. The Caves has been in operation since 1932 preserving and protecting the wildlife under our care. We are open 363 days a year only closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving day. Our normal hours of operation are 9 am until dusk year round. We are not a zoo and the animals are free to come and go as they please. The sea lions can usually be found at either of four locations on the property; in the Cave, in the water, at the Lookout/rockery, and on other nearby rock ledges. HOWEVER, THE SEA LIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS IN THE CAVE OR MAY BE MIGRATING OUT OF AREA - THEY ARE WILD ANIMALS AND COME AND GO AS THE PLEASE. CALL AHEAD FOR INFORMATION. Self-guided are the rule, but guided tours are available. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
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305 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
EUGENE
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 16, 2013 NEW

Over the years I have been there a great many times. I take all our visitors there and they are always enjoy. Inside down it the cave or looking at things outside, it is always very nice.

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Medford, Oregon
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 14, 2013 NEW

great way to visit nature like you never seen. it does smell in the caves, but you will get used to it.

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See 3 more reviews by john e for Florence
Eugene, Oregon
Top Contributor
56 reviews 56 reviews
25 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 8, 2013

Growing up within 100 miles of this place, I remember it from my child hood, and all the changes it has gone through during that time. But one thing that seems to never change.... the sea lions.... from the cliffs of the road, looking down at them sunning themselves on the rocks, or traveling down the elavator and having a... More

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See 3 more reviews by janetc40 for Florence
Everett, Washington
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2013

For $14 you get to go down and see the cave and the observation deck when the Sea Lions are not in the cave. There is also a Lighthouse viewpoint but I didn't go up there. They tell you when you come in that it is a steep walk up and down the paths. This is after you go down... More

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Eugene, Oregon
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2013

Take the kids and go to this - you will not be disappointed. The people that run this place are so friendly and helpful. The cave is amazing and informative (a bit stinky - but what I expected) and such a gem.

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See 3 more reviews by HappyinEugene for Florence
Alaska
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 4, 2013

We visited on a beautiful day in early May. We had a great view from the outside observation area of hundreds sea lions on the rocks and in the water below. We took the elevator down to the cave. The cave itself is pretty cool. Unfortunately, it's getting close to mating season so there were only 3 sea lions in... More

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See 2 more reviews by BLAKAlaska for Florence
WestCoast
Senior Contributor
42 reviews 42 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
24 helpful votes 24 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 3, 2013

If you want to see Sea Lions up close,.. go in town to any pier & they will be sunning themselves. The attraction does offer you a view of an amazing cave to view & it is clean & well laid out but $14 to see the Cave,...well I have to admit I found that expensive!!! I know it cost... More

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San Jose, California
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 23, 2013

Sea Lion Caves is a place to view the sea lions where they are safe, playing and living. But if you visit Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, you will see the State of Oregon shooting explosive seal bombs and rubber bullets at the sea lions. The sea lions are hazed, branded and killed for the crime of eating salmon.

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Salt Lake City, Utah
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 19, 2013

I definitely recommend visiting the cave earlier in the season. We went in early September and were warned that most of the Sea Lions had left. They only charged us $7 (1/2 price) to get in. There were six Sea Lions in the cave and it was worth seeing the cave itself. There were also a few stragglers on the... More

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Fairfield, California
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 14, 2013

Passed this several times while in Florence but decided to stop and take the elevator down the 200 feet to see the sea lions. Quite a site and smell but well worth the time and price.

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