Sunny Jim Cave
Sunny Jim Cave
4
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
213 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
84
Average
48
Poor
15
Terrible
9
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crusadercc
Georgetown, TX867 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Heard about this from Atlas Obscura and wanted to check it out. We got there about 20 minutes after opening at 9am and mercifully met only two other groups during the climb up and down. I can imagine it's less fun if the stairs and bottom landing are full. At $32 for a family ($10/adult, $6/child) it's a bit expensive for what amounts to a 15-minute attraction. And the bored ticket-taker in the shop quickly recited a verbal waiver before taking our money. Granted, this is the only sea cave you can experience without a kayak so there is that.
Written March 16, 2024
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.
AucklandGal88
Wellington, New Zealand211 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
The staff are friendly and the experience was ok, but at $10 per adult and $6 for a child I felt it was overpriced. There is a 15 minute limit which was fine because after about 5 we were ready to leave. If there are no sea lions in the cave, it’s just a cave. If the line is short, you’ve got the cash, and you’re curious, go check it out
Written January 2, 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.
Fabiana B
Mogliano Veneto, Italy32 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This cave entrance (for a fee) also has one of the cutest souvenir shops I've seen in San Diego so far!
the prices are good (and in any case below average) and it has many clothing items (be careful, it doesn't have tourist t-shirts), sea-themed costume jewellery, shells, etc.!
the prices are good (and in any case below average) and it has many clothing items (be careful, it doesn't have tourist t-shirts), sea-themed costume jewellery, shells, etc.!
Written August 15, 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.
Dolphin0831
Westminster, CO236 contributions
Jan 2020
We came to La Jolla for the seals without realizing this existed. We discovered by accident and were pleasantly surprised. Be prepared to walk down and back up the ~150 stairs, but they are not steep and each step is not terribly high. The ceiling in some places is a little low but not enough to bother most people. The view at the bottom is quite impressive and worth the stairs and the small entrance fee.
Written February 1, 2020
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.
TAMMY G
336 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
We visited here on a Tuesday around one o'clock. Good luck finding parking.. We waited in a small line maybe 10 minutes. It is a 145 steps to the bottom very uneven steps make sure you hang on to the rail. At the bottom you definitely get to see a very cool cave entrance.
Written March 24, 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.
Donald W
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Couples
Tourist trap. Waited an entire hour to get in - what were those people ahead of us doing all that time? Short descent on some slippery steps to a cave - that's it. No sea lions, not much of a view. Well-organized but not worth $10 or your travel time.
Written December 26, 2024
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.
Shali
San Diego, CA150 contributions
Jan 2020
we went to visit the cave on a Saturday. It was a beautiful day and not much crowded. Nice place to take photographs . We spend around half an hour over there. there are 145 steps down through a man made cave to access this place. Entrance is $5 for adults and $3 for children. If you are a nature fan this be a good spot to visit.
Written January 11, 2020
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.
dot23scott
Muncie, IN134 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
This was a fun little side trip for $10. I can tell how out of shape I am. Very cool set of steps down to a cove. Thought there be more to it, but still a fun experience. Ask for the senior discount if you qualify!!
Written October 8, 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.
Sami G
116 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
If your in the area, than this is definitely worth the $5. A quick little adventure, the whole thing probably takes only 10 mins, depending how long you spend at the bottom.
To see our full review & restaurant footage visit our travel Vlog on YouTube:
Sami Gierlich: Trip 1, San Diego Travel Tips.
To see our full review & restaurant footage visit our travel Vlog on YouTube:
Sami Gierlich: Trip 1, San Diego Travel Tips.
Written June 7, 2018
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.
Jet Nag
Scottsdale, AZ76 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
Ok, so you buy your $4 ticket and all you do is walk down a whole lot of tiny stairs into a dark cave. But there is something about it that made me feel like I was a kid again on Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland exploring the caves during the early '70's. So fun and something you should do once in your life. Go during a non busy time so that you can have it all to yourself and hopefully you will be greeted by a seal at the bottom. Bring your camera and wear sensible shoes.
Written July 15, 2013
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.
What is the temperature inside the cave? Is it shorts and t-shirt appropriate or jeans and sweatshirt?
Written July 12, 2019
It is a little cooler than the outdoor temp, but short and t-shirts should be fine. If you tend to get cold easily, just take a cardigan or thin jacket with you. It's a self tour, so you can leave if you get too chilly.
Written July 14, 2019
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