Crystal Cave
Sequoia National Park, CA, 50°F inside
You can't go inside. You can't enter the cave. The paintings are seen through a protective metal gate, so it's a short stop rather than a cave visit.
A small sandstone cave near Santa Barbara with Chumash rock paintings, seen through a protective metal gate.
The story
The paintings were made by Chumash people, whose name for the site is Alaxuluxen. A metal gate now protects them after decades of vandalism. CyArk worked with California State Parks and Chumash elder Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto on a free online 3D tour of the cave.
History source: parks.ca.gov.
What you'll see
- Chumash paintings on the cave walls
Tickets and timing
- Hours
- Dawn to dusk.
Getting around underground
- The walk
- The cave is about two miles up a steep, narrow road from Painted Caves Road. The pullout only fits one or two cars.
Dogs, weather and what to wear
- Dogs
- Dogs are allowed.
Getting there
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park is in or near Santa Barbara, CA.
Parking: A pullout for one or two vehicles. Trailers and RVs shouldn't attempt the road.
Directions in Google MapsDistances are straight-line from each city center.
Questions people ask
Are dogs allowed at Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park?
Dogs are allowed.
Checked on 2026-10-23 against parks.ca.gov (park and accessibility pages).