The Sea Lion Caves are a unique tourist attraction along the Pacific Coast of Oregon, and represent something that would likely never be permitted today due to governmental seashore protection regulations. Since 1932, the Sea Lion Caves have been privately managed by an entrepreneurial family who have owned the land that contains America’s largest sea cave. As the highway traffic and tourism increased to the area, a business was born.
Initially, a large wooden structure was built with switchback stairs that went down the side of the cliff from the roadside area above to the sea cave below. Wooden remnants of this structure rest in a pile by an existing overlook today. Then later the site became rather fancy, and a vertical hole was blasted through the rock. Now the sea caves are accessed by walking down a sloped path and pushing the down button on a modern elevator.
Once at the bottom, one enters a cave with educational displays. Then the sea caves are visible, surrounded by the sounds of rushing waves and barking stellar sea lions.
There is also an alternate path above to an outside observation area that looks down onto a rock ledge where the sea lions lounge below at the water’s edge.
The Sea Lion Caves are a fun, interesting, and educational stop near Florence, and a good part of any Oregon coast trip.
Sea lions relaxing along the Oregon Coast by the Pacific Ocean
Inside the Sea Lion Caves with stellar sea lions on the rocks
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Sea Lion Caves
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