Sunny Side Down

Exploring Sunny Jim Cave in La Jolla

Sunny Jim Cave is anything but sunny. It’s what you want in a cave—cool and dark—and it has a literary connection. It’s also the only sea cave in La Jolla that can be accessed by land. The entrance is the back door of The Cave Store, a California Historical Landmark. Behind the wood shingles of the old storefront are 145 dimly lit steps that lead down to the mouth of the cave at the shoreline.

Sunny Jim Cave got its name from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum, who thought the mouth of the cave resembled the profile of a 1920s British breakfast cereal mascot known as Sunny Jim. (Baum wrote several of his Oz novels in Coronado.) Naturally, then, the store sells Wizard of Oz memorabilia along with quirky trinkets, jewelry, and souvenirs.

Woman walking down the stairs in Sunny Jim Cave La Jolla

Sunny Jim Cave La Jolla

Sunny Jim Cave La Jolla

A group of people looking out of Sunny Jim Cave in La Jolla

A Low Ceiling sign in Sunny Jim Cave La Jolla

Sunny Jim Cave was the retirement vision of German mining engineer and painter Gustav Shultz. He wanted to access one of the La Jolla sea caves by land, and, of course, lure people to the site. So in 1902 he started digging a tunnel down to the natural sea cave. Upon finishing the tunnel a year later, Shultz set up the Sunny Jim Cave Store and charged a few pennies for the privilege of being lowered by rope into the cave. The rope has been replaced by a steep staircase. When you get down to the cave, you’ll see that this wonderful spot is highly endorsed by a colony of sea lions, who always appreciate cool spots on the coast.

Sunny Jim Cave is located at The Cave Store, 1325 Coast Blvd., La Jolla. From the I-5, exit on La Jolla Village Dr. and turn toward the ocean. Turn left on Torrey Pines Rd. for 1 mile. Turn right on Prospect Pl. for 0.2 mile; The Cave Store is on the right. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults; $7 for seniors, students, and military; $6 for kids. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    From Beach to Summit

    No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

    View
  2. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  3. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View
  4. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    Want to be king of the mountain? Head to King Mountain, the 108-acre open space preserve just above Larkspur in Marin. Despite its lofty name, hiking King Mountain proves that simp

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County

    Canal Contemplations

    With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

    View
  3. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  4. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View