Have you ever explored a cave? It can be both fascinating and educational, especially the secret sea cave of San Diego. Most of them are quite difficult to access. Hello? Sea Cave?! You get the chance only on low, better in a negative low tide. I recently found one, not-so-secret cave but because it’s inaccessible majority of the time, it remains unspoiled and prestine.
While it has many names – “The Hidden Arch Cave Under Sunset Cliffs” – or the “Open Ceiling Sea Cave” – or simply “that great photo spot”, all of these names refer to a sea cave that is approximately 40 ft wide X 40 ft high with an open (collapsed) ceiling of some 30 ft. Secret Cave of San Diego.
With one entrance on the west side, this cave has become popular due to the intriguing (and non-photo shopped photos) that can be taken of a perfect ceiling circle framed by a nearby entrance.
Where do you start
We started the adventure with a drive to Luscomb Point in Sunset Cliffs, a community in Point Loma San Diego. Be sure to try this on a negative low tide, the lower, the safer. Check out the tides here https://magicseaweed.com/Sunset-Cliffs-Surf-Report/4211/.
The cave, which technically is a blowhole, is fenced from the top, preventing people from accidentally falling down this massive hole when it gets dark.
Find parking roadside near Luscomb Point. If it gets crowded, find parking next to the neighborhood streets of Hills St., Monaco St., and further south, Ladera St.
How to actually get to the cave
There are 2 ways to get to the cave. We took the shorter, risky way. Walk towards the northernmost part of Luscomb’s Point where the surfers go. It’s next to square-fenced small blowhole (picture above from alamystocks).
The descent
The initial descent is quite steep for me (15-20 ft) down a rocky, non-defined cliff, but short. Be very careful as it is slippery.
Once you’ve reached sea level (this is a relative term depending on the height of the tide during your visit), the cave is just around the corner past the rocky beach. You’ll need to hug the cliff you’ve just descended during the first portion of your trek. This will be the most treacherous part, so please watch your footing, especially as you get splashed by a rogue wave or two.
You’ll eventually reach the small bay that you saw from above that separates Luscomb Point from the cave. This stretch is pretty easy to traverse as you draw closer. Once passed the bay, you’ll hug the northern wall of the cave until you finally reach your end destination, and oh what a destination it is.
The second, longer but a tad easier way is to descend down from a trail across Hills St., walk your way to the left until you reach a hole inside the cliff. Go through this, you’ll emerge on a small rocky beach. Continue past this beach and just around the corner in the cave. This will add extra 0.2 miles to the trek, passing a smaller cave and going through a passage in between the cliff. The difference with this way, is you do not need to descent 20 ft and skirt your way hugging the edge of the cliff.
When to go
As far as timing goes, I would recommend heading down to the cave about 30 minutes before the lowest negative tide. However, we were quite late arriving, the lowest negative tide was @0652am, we got there and not descending yet about the same time. Then we scout back up upon seeing the sketchy way.
There was no other way better than the sketchy one earlier. So, once I mustered the courage, we started heading down, around past 7am. Be ready to get your feet wet. Even on a (-) 1.4 tide, there were portions that water was knee deep.
Reached the cave @0730hrs. There were few people when we arrive probably because others have already left knowing the tide’s coming in soon.
We stayed inside the wonder for only 15 minutes, took photos and marveled at nature’s gift.
Another important thing to remember is you will need to leave the sea cave before the tide starts rising again. We left the cave around 0745hrs. Some of the rocks that were visible when we came are now submerge under water. LEAVE before the tide comes in. Link to a short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M7d0tbiM08
To call this cave other-worldly would be an understatement. It’s a place lost to time and you’ll feel both awed and in peace as you stand at the altar of this natural temple. Worth all the trouble to get to only if you’re brave enough.
Stairs that lead to the beach
After the feat, we can’t just leave not venturing the other hidden gem of Sunset Cliffs, so walking southward for about 10-15minutes towards Ladera St., we found the stairs. The stairs that leads to the beach. There were people and kids tide pooling, and very few surfers. I think you can also take this stairs down and walk your way North towards the cave. Not sure about this, but you can try on a negative low tide.
It’s quite fascinating to examine the walls of the cliff when the waters down. Birds and other creatures actually rest on its cracks and grooves.
Where to Eat
There are a lot of small cafes surrounding the area but the nearest one was “The Little Lion” Cafe https://thelittlelioncafe.com/. Opens 9-2. Visit the website for days open. I did not research much about the cafe but just went anyway. Thankful for impromptu decision! Their menu was on point.
I got the breakfast sandwich, daddy got the eggs benedict, and we tried the salmon toast. Boy! It was delish! We finish all of it. Like finger licking finish. Also don’ t forget their drinks. I tried matcha latte, equally worth every sip! No wonder there’s a long wait line. Call to reserve and pre- order.
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