The Cave Store — Attraction in San Diego

The Cave Store in La Jolla is more than just a quaint seaside shop; it's a portal to a fascinating chapter of California's coastal history. In 1902, German artist and entrepreneur Gustav Schultz envisioned a unique attraction that would allow visitors to experience one of La Jolla's sea caves from land. He hired two Chinese laborers to carve a tunnel through the sandstone cliffs, leading directly to what is now known as Sunny Jim's Sea Cave. This ambitious project took about two years to complete, with workers using only picks and shovels to create the passage.

Upon its completion, the tunnel provided access to the cave, which had previously been reachable only by sea. Initially, visitors descended into the cave using a rope, but a staircase was later installed to facilitate safer and more comfortable access. The cave's entrance is said to resemble the profile of "Sunny Jim," a cartoon character from early 20th-century British cereal advertisements, a likeness reportedly noted by L. Frank Baum, author of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."

During the Prohibition era of the 1920s, the secluded nature of Sunny Jim's Sea Cave made it an ideal spot for bootleggers. It's believed that the cave was used to smuggle alcohol and opium into San Diego, adding a layer of clandestine intrigue to its history.

Today, The Cave Store offers visitors a chance to explore this historic tunnel and cave. For a small fee, guests can descend the 145 steps to the viewing platform inside the cave, where they can witness the interplay of light and sea in a setting that has captivated visitors for over a century. The store itself retains a vintage charm, selling seashells, geodes, and other curiosities that reflect its rich past.

A visit to The Cave Store is not just a shopping trip but a journey through time, offering a glimpse into La Jolla's storied past and the natural beauty of...

Okay, so we didn’t see the cave. But that was because I was first and foremost looking for a souvenir store not so much an attraction. I have a bad back and my mom has a bad knee so we didn’t want to take our chances on the rumored super slippery stairs. We pulled into a garage across the street after doing a full loop and finding no parking, warning it’s $35 for basically the whole day. If you’re spending quite a bit of time in this area that would be more worth it. Anyway back to the store, I wouldn’t recommend as a souvenir store unless you’re looking for cave store specific stuff. Not as much “San Diego” stuff more “The Cave Store” stuff. Some of it was cute but not really what we were looking for. I usually try to get a magnet and sometimes sweatshirt for every place I go. And my brother, who doesn’t travel much, has me get him a shot glass for every city. My mom and I didn’t end up finding anything here and instead walked along the coast to get to another shop. The sea lions are just down a ways from the store so it’s worth it to walk a bit further and stop by there! We weren’t planning on making the dedicated effort to go to the sea lions but since they were there,...

I visited The Cave Store in San Diego on a sunny Sunday morning and was pleasantly surprised by the absence of a line. Entrance to the cave is $10 per person, which I found to be a bit on the pricier side, especially considering some of the local wildlife can often be seen for free nearby. However, the unique experience of descending 145 steps into a cave where the Pacific Ocean roars was definitely memorable.

The tunnel down to the cave was a bit damp and slippery, which is something to be cautious about, but it was manageable and added to the adventure. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see any sea lions, seals, or crabs, which was a bit disappointing as they are commonly spotted in this area.

Climbing back up was somewhat challenging, so it's something to prepare for if you're planning a visit. Overall, while I think the price could be a bit lower considering the wildlife aspect, The Cave Store offers a one-of-a-kind experience that's quite different from typical San Diego attractions. Worth a visit for those who enjoy a bit of adventure and don't mind a bit...