The Cave Guide
The "chocolate fountain" formation and spiral stair in Moaning Cavern, CaliforniaPhoto: UnifiedFunctionality, CC BY-SA 3.0

Moaning Cavern

Vallecito, CA
61°F
inside, all year
65 ft
below the surface
45 min
on the main tour
$27.56
adult ticket

A cave you descend by a ten-story spiral staircase on a 45-minute tour, with half-day belly-crawling expeditions for the adventurous.

The story

Gold miners first explored Moaning Caverns in the 1840s and 1850s. J.B. Trask wrote the first account of the cavern in the Daily Alta California on December 7, 1851. In 1920, local residents purchased the cave property and decided to open it for tours. In 1922, the spiral staircase was built and the cavern was opened to the public. The first visitor center was built in 1924.

Found
1840s
Open to visitors since
1922

History source: moaningcaverns.com.

What you'll see

  • Main chamber
  • Spiral staircase

Tickets and timing

Adults
$27.56 (12+, includes online fees)
Kids
$20.14 (ages 3–11), free under 3
How long it takes
45 minutes (Spiral Tour)
Hours
Open year-round, closed Mondays; Spiral Tours leave every hour on the hour. Sundays from 11am, last tour 3pm.
Booking
Online booking highly recommended; walk-ins not guaranteed. Expedition Tour ($130, 12+) must be booked 48 hours ahead.

Getting around underground

The walk
A narrow wooden staircase to a platform 65 ft down, then a ten-story spiral staircase.
Wheelchairs
Not wheelchair accessible.
Strollers
Strollers not allowed.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
Pets not allowed.
Temperature
61°F/16°C

Good to know

Minimum age
No age limit on Spiral Tour; Expedition Tour minimum age 12.
Best time to go
Less crowded in winter, early spring, and late fall; busiest Memorial Day through Labor Day, especially weekends and holidays.
Elevator
No elevator; visitors descend stairs and spiral staircase.
Photos
Cameras welcome with wrist strap on Spiral Tour; flashes necessary. Cameras discouraged on Expedition Tour; disposable flash camera recommended if brought, guide decides.
Food and drink
No food or drinks allowed in the cave; snacks available at gift shop.
On site
gift shop, snacks, picnic tables, gem mining, gold panning, axe throwing, climbing wall (temporarily closed), ziplining (temporarily closed)

Getting there

Los AngelesSan DiegoSan FranciscoSacramentoFresno

5350 Moaning Cave Road, Vallecito, CA, 95251

Parking: Large, gravel lot

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Before you go

  • 10% military discount.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Moaning Cavern take?

45 minutes (Spiral Tour)

How cold is it inside Moaning Cavern?

61°F/16°C.

Can you visit Moaning Cavern in a wheelchair?

Not wheelchair accessible.

Are dogs allowed at Moaning Cavern?

Pets not allowed.

Do you need to book Moaning Cavern in advance?

Online booking highly recommended; walk-ins not guaranteed. Expedition Tour ($130, 12+) must be booked 48 hours ahead.

When was Moaning Cavern discovered?

1840s, according to the cave's own history.

Is there a minimum age for Moaning Cavern?

No age limit on Spiral Tour; Expedition Tour minimum age 12.

Where is Moaning Cavern?

5350 Moaning Cave Road, Vallecito, CA, 95251

Listed in: wild caving tours

Checked on 2026-10-22 against moaningcaverns.com (official site). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.

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