The San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park spans 6,000 acres (24 km2) of ocean bottom and tidelands. The park’s four distinct habitats (rocky reef, kelp bed, sand flats, and submarine canyon) make it a popular destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. The park was created by the City of San Diego in 1970 and actually has two other parks within it: the “look but don’t touch” Ecological Reserve and the Marine Life Refuge.

Within the underwater park are two artificial reefs, created to attract and enhance marine life. The first was built in 1964 with Santa Catalina quarry rock dumped in 70 feet (21 m) of water near Scripps Canyon. The second was started in 1975 and is located at a depth of 40 feet (12 m) just offshore from Black’s Beach.

Here are some fact about this lankmark. The seven sea caves in La Jolla are perched within a 75-million-year-old sandstone sea cliff. The sea cliff most commonly referred to as the 7 Caves of La Jolla. These seven sculpted cave openings face north, as they sit in between beach of La Jolla Shores and the sandy beach of La Jolla Cove. The seven sea caves are named as follows, from west to east: The Clam’s Cave, Sunny Jim’s Cave, Arch Cave, Sea Surprize, Shopping Cart, Little Sister, and White Lady. The La Jolla Sea Caves are only accessible by kayak, except Sunny Jim’s.

We are the first group of the day to hit the ocean, so paddle up soldier!!!

The water temperature is reported as 61 degree and the sky is quite cloudy ⛅. We all dressed in shorts and tank top, but no worries at all…since a little girl can do it in the same type of wardrobe, so are we.

After 15 minutes struggling to get out paddle groove synced, we take our first break and learn about the amazing habitats here at the very spot.

White Lady, named for her long, bustled-dress silhouette, is located on the eastern corner of the sea cliff. In front of the cave White Lady, there are lots of larger rocks in the ocean that promote crashing waves and white wash, lending significance to the description “white.” The La Jolla Caves can be witnessed only by kayak.

Over the years, visitors have been attracted the seven caves of La Jolla. Long ago smugglers used it to bring in illegal Chinese and other immigrants. Contraband whiskey was also smuggled through the cave during Prohibition. Today many visitors visit “The Cave Store”. The cave opening has been revived and protected over the past 100 years of preservation. The old Crescent Café, which is now called The Cave Store is located on 1325 Coast boulevard in La Jolla.

 Fossilized shell and water level marks indicate that the ocean’s might was busy for 200,000 years boring this cave into rock and sandstone. The beautiful colorings are mineral deposits varying from the red of iron oxide, the black, grays and yellows of vegetable matter to the pinkish purple of iodine in the kelp. The tunnel took two years to dig by two Chinese laborers hired by Gustav Shultz in 1902 and 1903, using pick and shovel. Several years after its completion 145 steps were built into the lighted tunnel where visitors can still descend and enjoy the wonders of Sunny Jim. More fascinating mysteries about the caves and its pirate possessions back in the day at http://articles.latimes.com/1986-09-15/local/me-11831_1_la-jolla

Sunny Jim’s cave is the only La Jolla cave that is accessible by land via a hand-dug tunnel leading down from the historical landmark, the Cave Store.

The cave was given this name “Sunny Jim” by Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz. Mr. Baum gave the cave this unique name due to the shape of the cave’s opening. Looking outward from the inside of the cave opening resembles a cartoon mascot for British Force Wheat Cereal in the 1920’s. The profile of this cereal character matched that of the cave opening.

Beyond the Boundary

While the park itself use to be a very productive fishery for lobster, abaloni, halibut, mako shark and various other species of fish. The boundaries are still heavily fished for many types of species. During our visit, we get to meet these cute gold fishes. These guys are like gold fishes on steroids and you can see them pretty close through the clear calm water couple feet away from the cave opening.

Each adventure helps me realize more and more on how we need to appreciate what mother earth gave us and what we should do to preserve these amazing gifts from nature before it’s too late.

Until next time ….