TOURS:
SEASONAL TOURS:
RENTALS:
OTHER SERVICES:
SAN DIEGO TIPS:
LOCAL MARINE LIFE:
Doing well in school?
Paddle for the Grade!
Bring in your report card & Kayak for Free.
More Information!
Meet your Tour Guide!
GREAT SERVICE We take pride in our services. click below Why Choose Us?
Give the gift of adventure!
GIFT CERTIFICATES available by phone! Call (858) 454-1010 to order today.
click here
La Jolla Cave History- Prohibition in La Jolla
The seven caves of La Jolla sit at the base of the cliff side, along the waters below coast walkway. Sunny Jim's is the only cave accessible by means other that water. Most of the other caves are only visited by kayak, or swimming. For over 100 years the caves of the La Jolla have been an attraction for people visiting the area.
Approximately 10 to 15 feet north of the present Cave Store along the northwestern entrance of the Coast Walkway stood the once called cave curio store. Smugglers once used this cave to bring in illegal Chinese and other immigrants, and contraband whiskey. Nationwide prohibition was ratified in 1920, and Federal Prohibition agents were given the task of enforcing the law. Prohibition is also referred to as part of the Temperance movement, which wanted to make alcohol illegal. The humanitarian effort stated that the goal was to better the lives of the common people.
One of the early residents of La Jolla was a German-born artist named Gustauf Schultz. He moved to La Jolla with the intention of opening an art gallery to support his retirement, however, his artwork was stolen before he could open his gallery. In addition to being an artist he was also a geologist and a mining engineer. He hired two men to dig a tunnel down to the caves in the cliffside below where his gallery would have been. The 145-foot tunnel was dug entirely by hand and opened in 1903. There were no stairs in those days. Today you can easily walk down the steps inside the cave store, to visit the inside of the cave. The 145 steps, hand-rail and the wooded platform at the bottom were added in 1920. Visit our Cave Store page for more information.
The property was purchased from Miss Anna Held, who started the Green Dragon colony. The colony was settled by fellow German-Americans who had gravitated to the oceanfront village of La Jolla, obviously now we can see why.
The early life in La Jolla was pleasant despite the living conditions then being what we today would consider primitive. Every one knew everyone, doors where never locked, and the La Jolla area grew into a cultural center for the nearby military, families, and visitors to gather for dance and celebration at the Pavilion at the Cove, or even a Sunday outing. Visit our La Jolla Cove page for more information.
The La Jolla Caves and Cove is a magical spot that has become a place of inspiration for many authors, poets, artists, and musicians through the years. The unique area, and its offerings were a remarkable influence on the early history of La Jolla, and what the La Jolla Shores and Ecological Reserve area has grown to be. La Jolla Shores is now a safe haven for all different kinds of water activity like kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, surfing, diving, fishing, and other general beach going activities. Please visit our La Jolla Shores page for more information.
Kayak the 7 Caves - La Jolla Kayaking Tour
Our La Jolla Cave Tours in La Jolla Shores 
leave multiple times a day; however, reservations are needed. We invite you to Kayak San Diego with our La Jolla kayak tour of the Seven Sea Caves of La Jolla.
CALL TO RESERVE YOUR TOUR
Tours are available year-round (weather permitting) at:
9 am, 10am, 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, and at sunset.
(We cannot advise you to enter the Caves without an instructor)
Please join our Guided Kayak Tour in to explore the Caves!
|
Reserve Online or Call 858-454-1010 |