Aug 30 2008
La Jolla Caves
La Jolla Caves
Distance: 1.0 mile round trip
Best times: At extreme low tides at any time of the year, but typically occurs from October to March. To check for San Diego tides, please visit the site, http://ocean.peterbrueggeman.com/piertide.html
Parking: At La Jolla Shores Beach Parking lot (8200 Camino del Oro), or at Marine Room Restaurant on Spindrift Drive.
Directions:
From the north, take Interstate 5 south and exit at La Jolla Village Drive westbound. Turn left at the signalized intersection at Torrey Pines Road and follow it to the signalized intersection at La Jolla Shores Drive.
From the south, take Interstate 5 northbound and exit at La Jolla Parkway. Turn right at the signalized intersection at La Jolla Shores Drive, then turn left at the signalized intersection at Avenida de la Playa. Turn right on Camino del Oro.
La Jolla Shores (looking South)
La Jolla Shores is a sandy beach approximately one mile long. Waves at this beach is usually the gentlest among San Diego beaches, for this reason, many novice scuba classes are held here. To go the caves, walk South from La Jolla Shores beach. The wide strip of sand soon changes to cobbles and wave-washed cliffs.
Cobbles and Wave-Washed Cliffs
“The cliffs at La Jolla are uplifted erosion-resistant sandstone. The wave action from infrequent storms has gouged out a series of sea grottos, known as the La Jolla Caves.” - Jerry Schad’s A Foot and A Field in San Diego County.
The westernmost and the largest cave was made accessible by land through a man made tunnel that begins inside the Cave Store, which is located at La Jolla Cove. The six other grottos in the series are accessible only by water, but at extreme low tide, some caves can be accessed by hikers. Ideal condition for hiking to La Jolla Cave should be at minus 1 foot low tide or less, and begin your hike 30 minutes before the predicted low.
Great Blue Heron Resting on Slippery Grassy Area
Once you hit the tidepool area, take extra precaution not to step on the slippery green rocks, nor on grassy area.
Slippery Sea Grass and Rocks
Wear shoes with very good traction as the hike to the caves is really on very slippery ground.
Exposed Plant Life at Low Tide
As you walk along, please be careful also not to step on plant and animal life such as crabs which usually retreat to crevices when they hear you approach. On the walls of the sandstone cliffs, notice cormorants and gulls peacefully resting and also nesting.
Cormorants on Walls of Cliff
There are several smaller caves that can be accessed at low tide, enjoy them, but don’t forget the incoming tide.
La Jolla Caves
Walk back North before the hard hitting waves start to come in.
Happy La Jolla Caving!
