Crystal Cave
A cave in Sequoia National Park visited on a 50-minute guided tour along a half-mile loop inside the cave.
Sequoia National Park, CA, 50°F inside
Caves in California
9 caves in California run public tours. Here is what each one is like and how to visit.
Updated 2026-10-22. 9 of 9 checked in full against official sources.
Lake Shasta Caverns
A two-hour trip that starts with a boat across the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake and a bus ride up the hill before the guided cave tour, with over 600 stairs.
Lakehead, CA, 58°F inside, from $46
Mitchell Caverns
Caves in California's Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, seen on a 2-hour guided tour that includes a vigorous 1.5-mile round-trip hike; closed in July and August.
Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, CA, from $20
Boyden Cavern
A seasonal cave on Highway 180, 19 miles east of Grant Grove, reached by a short, steep walk; open late April to early November depending on the road and weather.
Kings Canyon, CA, 55°F inside
California Caverns
A cave near San Andreas, off Highway 49, with the Trail of Lights walking tour and a Trail of Lakes tour, about 60 steps on the main route.
Mountain Ranch, CA, 54°F inside, from $24
Moaning Cavern
A cave you descend by a ten-story spiral staircase on a 45-minute tour, with half-day belly-crawling expeditions for the adventurous.
Vallecito, CA, 61°F inside, from $27.56
Sunny Jim Cave
A sea cave on La Jolla Cove reached by a century-old tunnel from inside the Cave Store — about 145 steps down, self-guided.
La Jolla, CA, from $13
Black Chasm
A cavern in Volcano, California, off Highway 88 near Pine Grove, viewed from three platforms linked by five flights of stairs.
Volcano, CA, 58°F inside, from $24
Mercer Caves
A California cave with 45-minute guided tours, open daily in summer and Thursday to Monday the rest of the year.
California, from $24
California caves side by side
| Cave | Inside | Adult ticket | Run by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Cave | 50°F | not yet checked | National park / federal |
| Lake Shasta Caverns | 58°F | $46 | Privately operated |
| Mitchell Caverns | not yet checked | $20 | State park |
| Boyden Cavern | 55°F | not yet checked | Privately operated |
| California Caverns | 54°F | $24 | Privately operated |
| Moaning Cavern | 61°F | $27.56 | Privately operated |
| Sunny Jim Cave | not yet checked | $13 | Privately operated |
| Black Chasm | 58°F | $24 | Privately operated |
| Mercer Caves | not yet checked | $24 | Privately operated |
Questions people ask
How many caves can you tour in California?
9 show caves run public tours. We leave out wild caves that are closed, gated or need a permit.
What should you wear in a cave?
Closed shoes with grip, because paths are often wet. Most caves stay between the high 40s and low 70s °F all year, so a light layer is enough.
Caves in other states
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