Sea Lion Caves | A Stop on the Oregon Coast

When I told people my wife and I were driving the Oregon coast, many people and online forums recommended the Sea Lion Caves. We were mixed about stopping there, but decided to give it a chance. We waited in line, paid our admission fee and began to explore the area.

If you or your kids are fascinated with sea lions, then this would be a great stop for you. Here are some tips to help you plan your visit to America’s largest sea cave – Sea Lion Caves.

Parking and Tickets to Sea Lion Caves

Sea Lion Caves is about 10 miles north of Florence, Oregon, along Highway 101. As you approach the area, the building will be on the west side of the road. There is free parking available in the parking lot in front of the building, or in the extra parking areas on the east side of the road. That parking area includes designated stalls for RVs or trucks pulling campers.

The caves can be a little chilly, even in the summer. It’s wise to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt so your visit inside the damp cave isn’t miserable. A pair of binoculars is also helpful, so you can spot sea lions closer up.

RELATED POST: Explore these 8 amazing tidepools along the Oregon Coast

We purchased our tickets on-site. There is no online purchase option. When you arrive in the building, you’ll be directed to the cashier to purchase your entrance tickets. Once you have your entrance ticket, you can browse the gift shop or make your way outside to begin your tour.

Explore the Overlooks and Sea Lions Below

After exiting the main building, you’ll find a few walkways that take you along the coast. Don’t forget to grab a photo of the statue of the sea lions before embarking on your tour. 😉

The walkway to the south will take you to a small pavilion of sorts. You can look down at the ocean and will likely see sea lions moving in and out of the caves. Here’s where having a pair of binoculars is a good thing.

Just to the north of the main building is another short wooden overlook. There is a set of coin-operated binoculars, in the event you didn’t bring your own pair.

If you continue north to the end of the walkway, you’ll arrive at a pavilion that serves two purposes: An overlook to the ocean AND access to the elevator to access the caves below. Press the call button, hop on and enjoy a short ride to the cave entrance.

Inside the Sea Lion Cave

As you exit the elevator, a long hallway will take you to the main exhibit area. There’s a short film about the history of the caves. You’ll also find a few illuminated boards to learn about some of the animals that call these caves home, including sea lions and a variety of birds.

The cave offers two main viewing areas. To the south, you can see into the large cave as waves comes crashing into and out of it. Hundreds of sea lions were there, just laying around. During our visit, it didn’t seem like they were very active. The sound of the crashing waves was the main sound. Again, binoculars are a great tool for this spot, too.

Heading north, walk up the stairs to a few additional underground platforms with more information. There’s also a skeleton of a sea lion, for those interested in the skeletal structure. At the end of the walkway, you’ll come to a dead end lookout point. This point was the original entrance to the cave, following a series of stairs that provided access.

Across the way, you can see Heceta Head Lighthouse. On the rocks in front of you and below you, you’ll see numerous birds. They’re interesting to watch.

Once you finish exploring the cave, make your way to the elevator and head back up to the top.

The Details

Address: 91560 Highway 101, Florence, OR 97439

Parking: Parking is available in front of the building, or in a free parking area across the street. NOTE: Be careful when cross the highway between the parking area and the building – there is no crosswalk.

Cost: Adults (ages 13-64) are $14. Seniors (65+) are $13. Children (ages 5-12) are $8, and children 4 and under are free.

Hours: Open every day, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Arrive before 5 p.m. to take the tour.

Website: http://www.sealioncaves.com/

Phone: (541) 547-3111

PIN THIS: