Kayaking the Caves of La Jolla, California
On the south side of La Jolla Cove are seven sea caves carved into the sandstone cliffs over the course of the past 75 million years by the relentless ocean waves. During the winter months it may be possible to reach the caves on foot during a few days of very low tide. Otherwise, if you want to explore the caves, you can only do so by kayak.
Although we do not normally consider the option of using organized tours in our travels, the only way to access the interior of the caves is with an experienced guide. There are a number of companies near La Jolla Shores Beach where you can join a guided tour.
Our party of six rent three double kayaks. We are issued with helmets and life jackets and walk the 3 blocks from the shop to the beach. As there is no secured place on the beach, we leave our shoes and towels in a locker. Walk fast! The soles of your feet will feel decidedly uncomfortable on the hot pavement!
Launching kayaks, La Jolla
Once on the beach we are instructed how to use the paddle and what to do if we capsize, then off we go into the water! The adrenaline is pumping! The waves are big, and you have to really paddle hard to get past the breaking surf without capsizing!
Once the entire group is assembled beyond the surf, the two guides start us paddling across the bay which includes the Underwater Ecological Reserve. Below tiger sharks (some of them quite large) swim back and forth; bright orange garibaldi fish flit about; large patches of kelp undulate in the waves.
The guides provide a running commentary about the sights – the white house on the cliffs that was home to the creator of Dr. Seuss, Theodore Geisel, who modeled some of his characters on the citizens of La Jolla; the fault line running through the rocks; the multi-million dollar houses in danger of falling into the ocean. (If that happens not only will the owners lose their homes, but they will be fined heavily for polluting the Underwater Ecological Reserve.)
Around us is a traffic jam of kayakers, snorkelers, scuba divers, and surfers. Suddenly one of the kayaks, missing a plug so that the inside is filling with water every time it goes through a wave, capsizes, unceremoniously dumping its passengers into the water!! Without wetsuits it is COLD!!!
Although the guide tries to get the passengers back into the kayak, it is so unstable that it continues to capsize repeatedly until he gives up and radios for a replacement kayak. Finally, twenty cold minutes later hanging on to the bottom of the kayak, the new one arrives. Properly installed on a sea-worthy craft, we rejoin the rest of the group which has made its way to the caves.
The Clam Cave as seen from Shore Drive
Our guide dons flippers and slips out of his kayak. He then leads two kayaks at a time into the Clam’s Cave, a double sided limestone cave where the rushing waves pound through the seaward opening and out the other side. It is very cold inside the cave. Until 1993 the Clam’s Cave was a prime cliff diving site. Today large signs warn you that cliff diving is illegal and subject to a stiff fine (or death)!
While we wait for everyone to have their turn and before paddling back, we admire the other caves (Sunny Jim, Arch, Sea Surprise, Shopping Cart, Little Sister and White Lady) soaring above us and watch the sea-lions frolicking on the rocks. Nearby cormorants dive underwater to fish and brown pelicans fly in graceful formation from point to point, stopping to preen before setting off again.
We were cheerfully given a full refund for the entire trip to make up for the mishap with the one boat!
Diana Russler and Bill Gent Bio:
—after more than 30 years of working for national and international organizations, we are now free to pursue our twin passions of travel and photography. Allegria means “high spirits” or “joy” in Italian. Our aim is to share our explorations and adventures with our readers, taking them on a journey to new places or old favorites, opening windows to distant places, unlocking doors to novel experiences and hearing the sound of laughter! Life is meant to be enjoyed every second of the day! We also are passionate about the preservation of the environment and will not miss an opportunity to highlight this in our writings.
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