19 Best Caves in California You Want to Explore in 2023 [with Map]

Are you looking for the best caves in California?

Then you’ve come to the right place.

If you’re planning on exploring some caves and caverns on your next trip, there are a lot of amazing caves in California that you can choose from. 

From the unique underground caverns in the north to the breathtaking sea caves in the south, you’ll never run out of options to explore. 

You can try going on guided California cave tours or plan a self-guided caving adventure on your own. 

Whatever it is, prepare to be blown away by these magnificent caves in California.

Best Caves in California

There are over 1000 caves in California to explore. This list covers the best caves and caverns in California, including sea caves and crystal caves.

Make sure to read these practical tips before visiting a cave, and learn about the different types of caves in this section.

Caves in Northern California 

The northern portion of the state is home to some of the most famous caves in California. 

You can find caves that are popular tourist attractions, but you can also find hidden gems that are off the beaten path. 

Whether you are traveling alone or with your family, you’ll enjoy exploring this region’s caves. 

Lava Beds National Monument

• Cost: Entrance Fees ($45 annual pass, $25/car, $15/walk-in, valid for 7 days)
• Activities Offered: Guided and self-guided tours, hiking
• On-site Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, trails, picnic areas, overlooks
• Accessibility: Drive, bike, with guided and self-guided tours

This 46,000-acre national monument is located on the northeast side of Medicine Lake Volcano. 

The park is known for its lava tubes, Native American rock art sites, and numerous hiking trails. 

If you’re planning to visit, there are 24 caves that you can explore by yourself with varying difficulties. 

Make sure to visit their website to check which caves are temporarily closed, as they are protected areas for maternal bat colonies in the summer and hibernating bats in the winter. 

They offer ranger-led cave tours, nature and historical walks, and evening campfire programs if you’re visiting during Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. 

If you are a fan of cave exploring in California, then make sure to put this on your list.

📢 Local Tip: If you’re short on time, make sure to visit these caves: Valentine Cave, Mushpot Cave, Skull Cave, and Catacombs Cave (challenging).

Crystal Cave

• Cost: currently closed see note below
• Activities Offered: Guided tours, assisted listening devices, ASL tours
• On-site Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, museum
• Accessibility: Drive, only with guided tours 

Located inside Sequoia National Park, this cave filled with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites is just one of the more than 200 marble caverns you can find inside the national park. 

There are several options for cave tours ranging from 50 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the age of the participants and how adventurous you are feeling. 

Because these are delicate formations, only guided tours are offered, and tickets must be purchased in advance. 

If you’re planning to visit this cave, there’s a steep half-mile walk from the parking area to the cave entrance just to get started. 

Crystal Cave is currently closed and undergoing rehabilitation for the damages it sustained during the KNP Complex Fire and will hopefully be back by May 2023.

Subway Cave

• Cost: Free
• Activities Offered: Free guided tours are offered on weekends from mid-June to Labor Day
• On-site Facilities: Interpretive site, picnic tables, toilets, drinking water, parking
• Accessibility: Hike-in, no tour needed

Located just outside Lassen National Park, Subway Cave is a third of a mile long and is one of the largest lava caves in the world. 

If you’re planning to visit, you need to ascend and descend several flights of concrete stairs to enter and exit the cave. 

Make sure to bring flashlights, wear sturdy shoes and a light jacket because it’s pitch black inside and the area has a rough surface and cold temperatures. 

Perfect for a leisurely trip with your family, you can relax and have a picnic under the pines after finishing the self-guided trail. 

Balconies Cave & Bear Gulch Cave

• Cost: Pinnacles National Park Entrance Fees ($30/car, $15/walk-in, valid for 7 days)
• Activities Offered: Caving, hiking
• On-site Facilities: Parking area, hiking trail, and bathrooms, located inside Pinnacles National Park
• Accessibility: Hike-in, no tour needed

These two caves inside the Pinnacles National Park are talus caves, which means they were formed by falling rocks. 

These caves are popular hiking spots due to their unique structures. 

With huge rocks and boulders to walk through and go under, they make for a very adventurous trek. 

Both caves are well-maintained and are pretty crowded during the spring weekends as it can get scorching hot in the summer. 

📢 Local Tip: Make sure to check out Bear Gulch Cave’s seasonal opening schedule on their website as it is home to a colony of endangered bats and closes quite often to protect them. 

California Cavern

• Cost: Trail of Lights and Trail of Lakes Walking Tours ($19 for adults,  $11 for ages 5 to 12), 2-Hour Mammoth Cave Expedition ($89/person), 4-hour Middle Earth Cave Expedition ($159/ person)
• Activities Offered: Guided tours, cave expeditions, gemstone mining
• On-site Facilities: Restrooms, gift shop, picnic tables, volleyball court, nature trail
• Accessibility: Drive, only with a guided tour

California Cavern, located in Angels Camp, is the state’s first show cave and is the most famous because of its length.

The other big draw to this cave is its unique crystalline chambers and cave formations. 

This beautiful cave has so much history from California’s Gold Rush.

During your visit, you can explore intricate passageways and crawlways, but it’s not recommended for those who are claustrophobic. 

If you want to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing subterranean water in the cavern, go on the Trail of Lakes tour that is offered only during the winter and spring. 

Moaning Caverns

• Cost: Spiral Tour ($22 for adults, $16 for ages 3-11); Expedition Tour ($115/person)
• Activities Offered: Guided tours, ax throwing, gemstone mining
• On-site Facilities: Gift shop, restrooms, picnic tables
• Accessibility: Drive, only with a guided tour

Caving in California won’t be complete without visiting the Moaning Caverns, the deepest cave chamber in California. 

Located in the state’s Gold Country, this is one of the best caverns for adventurers to explore as it has a lot of fun activities like ax throwing and gemstone mining. 

This underground cave has guided tours for adventurers who want to climb the 100-foot-high spiral staircase or crawl through natural passages. 

For those with claustrophobia and a fear of heights, this would be the tour to skip.

📢 Local Tip: This is one of the best caves to explore in California but it is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared to climb over 200 steps back up the stairs, so this might be tricky for small kids.

Local Tip #2: There is a swimming hole (swim-through tunnel) close to this cave that you should check out.

Black Chasm Cavern National Natural Landmark

• Cost: $19 for adults (13 and up), $11 for children (ages 5 to 12)
• Activities Offered: Guided tour, gemstone mining, gold panning, geode cracking, nature trail
• On-site Facilities: Visitor’s center, parking lot, restrooms, picnic tables
• Accessibility: Drive, only with a guided tour

This natural landmark located in Volcano, California, is a must-see for its rare helictite crystals and beautiful variety of stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones. 

Besides the children-friendly guided tours, there are plenty of activities to do like gemstone mining and gold panning. 

To enter and exit the cavern, you will have to climb steep stairs with over 100 steps, which might be difficult for those with mobility issues. 

The cavern also offers a self-guided tour of the historically significant Miner’s Trail, where you’ll see incredible marble formations uncovered during hydraulic mining operations.  

Mercer Caverns

• Cost: $20 for adults, $13 for children ages 3-12 years
• Activities Offered: Guided tours, gem mining
• On-site Facilities: Visitor center, gift shops, restroom
• Accessibility: Drive, only with a guided tour

Located one mile from the town of Murphys, California, Mercer Cavern is known for its variety of amazing cave formations like stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and aragonites. 

This privately-owned cavern has guided tours that will take you down about 161 feet below the surface, which is the equivalent of a 16-story building. 

For those interested in visiting this cave, steep stairways might make the tour a bit strenuous for some people. 

Besides the 440 steps on the steep stairways, this tour does not require crawling, but you have to duck and squeeze into some sections.  

READ MORE: You can easily add this stop on your road trip from Sacramento to Yosemite or vice versa.

Boyden Cavern

• Cost: Walking Tour ($16-$22 per person) Private Extended Walking Tour ($45 per person)
• Activities Offered: Guided tours, picnic
• On-site Facilities: Gift shop, pit toilets, picnic area, located inside Sequoia National Forest
• Accessibility: Drive, only with a guided tour

Boyden cavern located in Kings Canyon in the Sequoia National Forest has an amazing array of stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone that you’ll discover while exploring. 

Tours are led by friendly and knowledgeable guides that last 45 to 60 minutes round trip. 

During the tour, there is a short but steep walk to enter the cave, and while inside, there are loose rocks, slippery areas, stairs, and tight areas. 

After exploring the cave, you can rest with your family while enjoying their picnic area’s beautiful view of the canyon and river.   

📢 Local Tip: Buy your ticket in advance as they can’t guarantee availability for walk-ins. Visitors must pass through Kings Canyon National park to access this cave.

READ MORE: Why not extend your road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite and visit this cave in Kings Canyon National Park?

Lake Shasta Caverns

• Cost: $35 for 16 and up, $21 for ages 3 to 15
• Activities Offered: Guided tours, dinner cruise, gemstone mining, rock climbing
• On-site Facilities: Restroom, picnic area, snack bar and store, catamaran rental, free parking
• Accessibility: Drive, boat, only with a guided tour

This national landmark, located in the foothills of Lake Shasta, is one of the most scenic and unique caverns in California. 

In this cavern, you will get to explore its eight known rooms that are full of stalagmites, stalactites, limestone, helictites, and dinosaur fossils. 

The two-hour guided tour starts with a catamaran ride across the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake and a scenic bus ride through the hills before arriving at the caverns.

Although the cavern is not as big as others in this article, there will be over 600 stairs in the caverns so be prepared.

READ MORE: You can easily add this stop on your road trip from Sacramento to Portland to break up your trip. 

Pluto’s Cave

• Cost: Free
• Activities Offered: Hiking, caving
• On-site Facilities: Parking area, picnic area
• Accessibility: Hike-in, no tour needed

Pluto’s Cave is one of the most secluded caves on this list is this partially collapsed lava tube with 50 foot ceilings and skylights located on the outskirts of Mount Shasta. 

Lava tubes usually collapse over time, but this hidden cave has been around for roughly 190,000 years. 

There’s a short walk from the parking area to the cave, and the lava tube is quite rocky and extremely dark. 

It is recommended to stop after getting to the second opening as the cave just leads to a dead-end after another mile.

Mendocino Sea Caves 

• Cost: $80 per person, $40 for kids 12 and under
• Activities Offered: Guided kayak tours
• On-site Facilities: All necessary equipment included in the tour
• Accessibility: Kayak, only with a guided tour

This beautiful Northern California coastal town has one of the best sea caves you can visit.

A tour of these sea caves will blow you away with their amazing views of the Mendocino coastlines, rock gardens, and archways. 

These kayak tours are open for all ages and skill levels, so even if you’re a complete beginner, there’s no need to worry. 

If you’re worried about getting swept away by the waves, a professional guide will be there to lead you through narrow coves and passageways. 

This kayak cave tour is a perfect adventure for your whole family, and your kids will love it.

Secret Cave of Seven Mile Beach

• Cost: Free
• Activities Offered: Caving, beachcombing, sunbathing, tidepooling
• On-site Facilities: Free parking
• Accessibility: Hike-in, no tour needed

This secret cave in Santa Cruz’s Seven Mile Beach is not very well known, but it has amazing ocean views from inside the cave. 

Because you need to climb up the rough and slippery rocks to get to the tiny cave, not many people have made the trip. 

There’s not a lot to see inside the cave, as it is quite tiny and filled with graffiti, but the amazing views you’ll see there will make it worth visiting.

READ MORE: Check out the other beaches in this area that you should visit.

Caves in Southern California

Whether you’re on the hunt for mysterious mud caves in the desert or want to kayak in picturesque sea caves, Southern California has a lot to offer. 

This region has some of the most scenic caves that you can explore on land or water. 

Perfect for thrill-seekers and adventurers, these caves can be a bit challenging, but they’re definitely worth the trek. 

Lava Tube in the Mojave National Preserve 

• Cost: Free
• Activities Offered: Hiking, caving
• On-site Facilities: Parking area, hiking trail
• Accessibility: Drive and hike-in, no tour needed

Located inside the Mojave National Preserve, this small lava tube has skylights that give the place a nice glow. 

To get to the lava tube, you need to drive on the rough, sandy, and rocky Aiken Mine Road with a vehicle that has a high clearance. 

If you’re planning on dropping by, you must walk uphill from the parking area and follow a path to the steep metal ladder leading to the lava tube. 

Bring a light source like a headlamp and watch out for snakes and low-hanging rocks while visiting the lava tube as the NPS does not regularly maintain it.

Cave of Munits

• Cost: Free
• Activities Offered: Hiking, caving
• On-site Facilities: Parking area, hiking trail
• Accessibility: Hike-in, no tour needed

This stunning cave inside the El Escorpión Park is the perfect haven for hikers with its magnificent cathedral ceilings and breathtaking views of the San Fernando Valley. 

Although there’s no need for ropes or harnesses to get inside, the cave is narrow and steep, so you will have to do a bit of climbing. 

The trail also leads to Castle Peak, which gives you panoramic views of the valley. It can get quite hot and crowded later in the day, so make sure to get there early.

Painted Cave 

• Cost: starts at $289+ 
• Activities Offered: Guided kayak tours
• On-site Facilities: All necessary equipment and food included in the tour
• Accessibility: Kayak, only with a guided tour

Located in Santa Cruz Island, within Channel Islands National Park is the largest sea cave in California. 

The Painted Cave is known for the myriad of colors splashed on its walls caused by multi-colored algae. 

Accessible only by water, you will need to take a boat, or a kayak to go deep inside the cave. 

The deeper you go into the cave, the darker it gets until everything is pitch-black, and all you can hear are the sounds of yapping sea lions. 

Because of the possibility of wind and waves exposure on the west end of Santa Cruz Island, this might not be suited for beginner kayakers as it can require moderate paddling difficulty.

📢 Local Tip: If you’ll be in the area, consider checking out the Painted Cave in Santa Barbara called Chumash Painted Cave.

Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves

• Cost: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Entrance Fees ($10 day use fee)
• Activities Offered: Hiking, caving
• On-site Facilities: Hiking trail, located inside Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
• Accessibility: Drive and hike-in, no tour needed

Arroyo Tapiado mud caves in the southern part of the Anza-Borrego Desert are more than five million years old and have formed an intricate labyrinth of passages. 

These mud caves have one of the most extensive cave systems in the world, with a chamber that is 80 feet high and 1,000 feet long. 

If you decide to visit, a high clearance 4×4 is needed to get into the cave area as there are dips, loose sand, and rocks. 

Avoid going there after rainstorms and during extremely hot days as some formations could be fragile and suddenly collapse.

La Jolla Sea Caves

• Cost: Self-Guided Walking Tour ($10); Kayak Tour (starts at $36); Kayak Rentals ($20)
• Activities Offered: Guided and self-guided walking and kayak tours
• On-site Facilities: Kayak rentals
• Accessibility: Drive, kayak, with guided and self-guided tours

Located in the coastal town of La Jolla, you can explore all seven sea caves and learn about their interesting history through a guided kayak tour. 

Out of the seven caves, Sunny Jim’s Cave is the only one that’s accessible by land and offers 15 to 20-minute self-guided tours through its tunnels. 

Experienced kayakers can rent their kayaks and go on a self-guided tour of La Jolla’s Ecological Reserve. 

If you prefer to swim in a cave in California, you can also opt for a snorkeling tour and explore all sea caves from above and below the surface. 

Caverns & Caves in California Map

Caving in California

There are several types of caves to explore in California, with solution caves being the most common.

1. Solution Caves – The most common type of cave stystem and also the most complex. 

This type of cave is formed when acidic water seeps underground via cracks, faults, fractures, and other surface openings.

Over an extended period of time, the small cracks develop into large cave systems.

Solution caves are mostly found in types of rock such as limestones, marble, dolomite, gypsum and halite.

2. Talus Caves – These are technically not caves, rather are opening between large boulders that are piled up on a mountain creating these rocky tunnels underneath.

You can explore talus caves in Pinnacles National Park.

3. Lava Tubes – These caves are formed through volcanic activity. Molten lava flows down from the volcano and once it stops and cools, a hollow tube remains.

Lava Beds National Monument is one of the best places to explore lava tubes in California.

4. Sea Caves – Also known as Littoral caves, these types of caves are formed by wave action along the coastlines, primarily through erosion.

Best Time to Explore Caves & Caverns in California

Summer and fall are the best times to explore the caves in California.

Caves can be visited all-year round although some are inaccessible in the winter months.

Most caves maintain around 50°F to 58°F in temperature, even if it’s 100°F outside, which makes it a perfect escape from the summer heat.

Practical Tips for Visiting Caves

What to wear when visiting a cave

Warm but lightweight clothes that can be layered are a must as it can get cold inside a cave. 

Most caves are around 50°F to 58°F, even if it’s 100°F outside, which makes it a perfect escape from the summer heat.

Opt for sturdy hiking boots or a trail shoe with good grip for dry or wet caves. 

In some cases, the cave operations may require you to wear a hardhat with an attached light to protect your head from low-hanging obstacles and falling debris.  

Accessibility is limited 

Unfortunately, most caves are not easily accessible to everyone. 

Strollers and wheelchairs can’t go down the stairs, and some areas have low ceilings. 

Other caves don’t allow walking sticks, and people with claustrophobia should take precautions as there are plenty of tight spaces. 

Some caves also require hiking on strenuous trails, so those with mobility problems or pre-existing conditions are discouraged from visiting. 

People with fear of heights should also avoid large caves as some require descending or ascending 100-foot high staircases.

Dogs are not allowed in some caves

Dogs, pets, and other emotional support animals are not allowed inside most caves unless they are service animals with proper documentation. 

Leashes are considered tripping hazards, so be mindful if you bring your service animal on the trek. 

Some national parks do have a day-boarding kennel for your furry friends, but check the cave’s website or call them to see if you can bring your dogs with you.

What to bring when visiting a cave 

• Flashlight or headlamp – Bringing a light source like a flashlight or headlamp is very important. 

• Change of clothes – Depending on the caves you visit, your clothes might get dirty/muddy so it’s a good idea to bring something to change in.

• Food and water (if allowed) – Some tours may last up to 4 hours, with lots of stair climbing. Make sure to double check if you’re allowed to bring them.

Caves vs Caverns: Is there a difference? 

The main difference is that caves are natural or artificial holes in the ground or hill with sections blocked from direct sunlight, while caverns consist of many caves or chambers with passages connecting each of them. 

To put it simply, all caverns are caves, but not all caves are caverns. 

Caves in California

• Crystal Cave
• Subway Cave
• Balconies Cave
• Bear Gulch Cave
• Pluto’s Cave
• Cave of Munits
• Painted Cave
• Chumash Painted Cave
• Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves
• Mendocino Sea Caves
• Secret Cave of Seven Mile Beach
• La Jolla Sea Caves
• Dana Point Caves
• Sunset Cliffs Cave

Caverns in California

• California Cavern
• Moaning Caverns
• Black Chasm Caverns
• Mercer Caverns
• Boyden Caverns
• Lake Shasta Caverns
• Mitchell Caverns

FAQs

What is the biggest cave in California?

The biggest cave in California is the Moaning Caverns, and is big enough that you could fit the Statue of Liberty inside. It has a unique 100-foot-high spiral staircase that visitors use to enter and exit the caverns. The cave reaches a depth of 410 feet, but only 165 feet are open for visitors. 

How many caves are there in California?

The Golden State of California has more than 1,000 known caves that you can explore. The Lava Beds National Monument alone has over 800 caves, while the Sequoia National Park alone has more than 240 caves. There are a lot of caves to discover in the Golden State.

Does California have caverns?

Yes, California has a lot of caverns for you to explore. If you’re looking for the biggest, check out Moaning Cavern. Drop by The Black Chasm Cavern for rare helictites. For something more scenic trek, Lake Shasta Caverns is perfect for you.  

Wrap-Up: Best California Caves

From scenic underground caves and caverns to secluded hole-in-the-wall lava tubes, there are countless caves in California that you can explore with your friends and family. 

Make sure to do your research before going on your adventure, and always follow the rules of each cave you visit so you can help protect these delicate yet majestic natural wonders. 

Check out these posts for more California Travel Inspiration:

• Best Hot Springs in Northern California
• Warmest Beaches in California
• Best Places for Snow in California
• Lake Camping in Northern California