Sea lion caves central oregon coast oregon discovery. During the fall and winter barking sea lions lounge around inside the caves natural amphitheater and during the summer months they sprawl along outside rock ledges with their. Just four hours from portland, the sea lion caves features the largest sea cave in the world and an opportunity to see not only sea lions, but scores of other wildlife in their natural habitat. Their barks put a latenight doggy jam session to shame take a trip through the sea lion caves to hear these marine mammals roar though its a tossup whether youll smell or hear them first. Offtrail caving tour squeeze through tight spaces, crawl.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. There are times when the sea lions leave the caves. Jun 04, 2018 come with us as we travel down highway 101 along the oregon coast to florence oregon where we visit the sea lion caves. Find cheap deals and discount rates among them that best fit your budget.
Millions traveled highway 101, exploring the cheese factory at tillamook, gift shops in lincoln city, and the sea lion caves. The sixth stop in our series off the beaten path brings travelers to the sea lion caves, located on the coast of oregon the privately owned caves are open to the pacific ocean and allow easy access for the sea lions that live along the shore. Did you know the largest sea cave in america is right here on the oregon coast. Sea lion caves, florence, united states tourist information. Mature males can weigh up to 2,400 pounds over 1,000 kilograms. The occurrence of the california sea lion along the oregon coast is seasonal.
It is a quick drive of just 6 miles 10 kilometers to sea lion caves from the driftwood shores resort and conference center. Most were chatting it up, some were swimming into the cave, a few were trying to exit. They are located 11 miles 18 km north of florence on u. Sea lion caves is located 11 miles north of florence, oregon, on u. In this area, highway 101 follows a steep and wild sea cape 300 feet above sea level and provides access to the gift shop and office headquarters building through which the cave is reached. Top 10 hotels closest to sea lion caves in oregon coast from. Worlds largest sea lion cave in oregon sea lion caves. Browse expedia s selection of 402 hotels and places to stay closest to sea lion caves. Must seedo at the sea lion caves those who are interested in the biology and anatomy of sea lions should be sure to take a look at the skeleton on display at sea lion caves.
The main phone number is 541 5473111 and the fax number is 541 5473545. Sea lion caves are a connected system of sea caves and caverns open to the pacific ocean in the u. Sea lion caves the sea lion caves is americas largest sea cave as identified by the guinness book of world records. Head on over to sea lion caves in florence today any pick up your perfect gift. If you wish to stay in the area, you only have 1 option. Feb 27, 2018 this is a walk around the sea lion cave along the oregon coast, you take the elevator down. Sea lions caves is the natural seasonal home to steller northern sea lions, only known mainland habitat for hundreds of sea lions. The gift shop over the sea lions caves, is where you will begin your tour. Its a decent walk about 37 steps down from the parking area to an elevator that will descend you into the caves.
While you might imagine spelunking down into a cave filled with sea lions, the sea lion caves offer a lowimpact way to visit the largest sea cave in the world. Sea lion caves is a connected system of sea caves and caverns open to the pacific ocean in the u. The biggest sea cave in america is located in oregon, and youll want to visit it. Upon stepping inside, the cabins curved walls of solid knottypine will delight you with their warmth and comfort.
To be honest, we werent expecting too much when we visited the florence sea lion caves along the oregon coastal highway, on our way from florence to yachats. Oregons sea lion caves are the biggest sea caves in america. Sea lion caves 91560 highway 101 florence, or gift shops. Sea lion caves 91560 highway 101, florence, oregon 97439 rated 4. A comfortable homeawayfromhome for you, and your family and freinds. The countys first district court met under a large oak tree until a clerks office could be built in 1852. Highway 101, about midpoint on the 400 miles 640 km oregon coast. Located just 11 miles north of florence, on the rugged oregon coast, sea lion caves is home to hundreds of sea lions and you can go and see them. Once inside you can also take 63 steps in the cave to reach a viewpoint that overlooks heceta head light. Show up to your next special occasion with a memorable and thoughtful gift from sea lion caves in florence. At sea lion caves all of the animals come and go as they please. This past weekend out for a joy ride and ended up at the sea lion caves in florence. Sea lion caves near florence, oregon unique america. Highway 101, about midpoint on the 400 mile oregon coast milepost 179.
Then you cant possibly head home without trying out an oregon coastal tour eugene to yachats and florence. A visit to sea lion caves offers a great value on a priceless experience. Located near florence just off highway 101, the sea lion caves is an incredible natural wonder. The primary areas where it comes ashore are cascade head, tillamook county. The large natural amphitheater is behind glass to protect both tourists and sea lions.
In 1880 a sea captain named cox rowed a small skiff into a fissure in a. Worlds largest sea lion cave in oregon sea lion caves youtube. Bring binoculars in the spring and summer to watch for gray whales and rare sea birds. Sea lion caves inhabitants steller sea lions or northern sea lions. Americas largest sea cave, sea lion caves is a privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary that is the yearround home of the steller sea lion. The sea lion caves are located at 91560, highway 101, florence, oregon 97439. In southern oregon, the oregon shakespeare festival, held in ashland, is also a tourist draw, as is the oregon vortex and the wolf creek inn state heritage site, a historic inn where jack london wrote his 19 novel valley. The florence sea lion caves are one of the best wildlife attractions along the pacific coast highway, north of florence and south of yachats on oregon coastal highway 101. If you are planning a field trip for an elementary or middle school class, sea lion caves provides lesson plans designed to give students and educators a wealth of background information prior to touring the caves to appreciate and benefit from this unique natural resource.
Located on the pacific coast of oregon, the sea lion caves are a network of caves and caverns that sea water has carved out of the rock. Americas largest sea cave brings sea lion wood stickers to. There are times that we have no sea lions in the cave. A short walk takes you to an elevator that lowers you approximately 200 feet to the base of the cave. If youre in oregon, you just happen to be near the largest sea cave in the usa sea lion caves. Unlike a zoo, no animals are held in cages or pens. About 11 miles north of florence off highway 101, the sea lion caves are renowned as the largest sea caves in the country. Apr 18, 2017 the sea lion caves are located at 91560, highway 101, florence, oregon 97439. Other things to do near sea lion caves youre here to visit sea lion caves, but you may well be pleasantly surprised by what else the region has available. Florence sea lion caves pacific coast highway travel.
Its one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. This is a walk around the sea lion cave along the oregon coast, you take the elevator down. In this area highway 101 follows a steep and undeveloped seascape 300 feet 91 m above sea level. Personally it wasnt one of the most memorable things ive done, but it certainly is one of son charlies favourite moments from our 6 month usa roadtrip, it was a real treat watching the sea lions in their natural habitat. In the winter months many take refuge inside the cave. The sea lion caves along the pacific coast in oregon are a connected system of caverns where stellers sea lions also known as northern sea lions gather every spring and summer to breed and. Funky coastal facts oregon coast theres often more than meets the eye to the oregon coast than just the lovely scenery and great chow. Enjoy wild sea lions in their natural habitat, view the many species of migratory birds and the stunning views of the pacific ocean. Taken you years to make it to this famed attraction.
Noted in the guinness world records as the worlds largest sea cave, this area is home to wild steller sea lions. How about making your time spent at sea lion caves even more unforgettable. Mar 14, 2019 sea lion caves the sea lion caves is americas largest sea cave as identified by the guinness book of world records. Fabulous viewing area a perfect distance from the actual sea. An oregon alphabet discover america state by state kindle edition by smith, roland, smith, marie, roydon, michael. The stellar sea lion, also known as the northern sea lion, is the largest member of the sea lion family. Sea lion caves florence 2020 all you need to know before. A steller attraction at oregons sea lion caves the seattle. Lane county was named for general joseph lane, a rugged frontier hero who was oregons first territorial governor. Save on popular hotels near sea lion caves, oregon coast. Apr 27, 2017 the sixth stop in our series off the beaten path brings travelers to the sea lion caves, located on the coast of oregon the privately owned caves are open to the pacific ocean and allow easy access for the sea lions that live along the shore. Book a hotel near sea lion caves, oregon coast travelocity. So many things to see and do in the area, historic lighthouses to visit, whales to watch. Why pay to see sea lions, when you can see them for free all along the pacific coast, even if they are in the worlds largest sea cave.
In 2016, florence honored its sea lion population with the creation of. When the cave is packed with bellowing sea lions, it is one of those nevertobe forgotten unique experiences. We cannot reserve space for you, but we can try to have extra guides available at the time of your visit for multiple backtoback tours. The 10 best things to do near sea lion caves, florence. The temperature inside the cave is the same as it is if you would be walking on the beach. Take an elevator ride 200 feet 61 m down into the cave as tall as a 12story building and as wide as a football field. The curved sea cabin is a unique vacation cabin situated two blocks from heceta beach by the quaint seaside town of florence oregon. Thousands of sea lions have made these caves their home. Also they did say the sea lions are in the cave from about november to july.
It is the only mainland rookery of steller sea lions eumetopias jubatus in the contiguous united states and is home to about 200 cows, yearlings, and immature bulls. Sea lion caves is the size of a football field, with a 125foot natural rock dome. Sea lion caves largest sea cave in the usa 125 feet high, covering two acres filled with bellowing sea lions in winter and spring when its most crowded. Steller or northern sea lions are the largest species of the eared seal family. Join us for an exciting adventure with beautiful video of sea lions and the. Take a video peek at the caves current activity in the sea lion caves gift shop before descending the 200 ft 61 m by elevator into the viewing area. A cavernous sea cave adopted by a herd of steller sea lions, some years numbering as many as 200. Exploring oregons sea lion caves in the northwest we blog. Staff at the sea lion caves urge those who visit in the fall and winter to dress warmly, as the cave is prone to be drafty and damp.
Just four hours from portland, the sea lion caves features the largest sea cave in the world and an opportunity to see not only sea lions, but scores of other. Everything you need to know about the oregon coast from our travel experts. Privacy policy about wikipedia disclaimers contact wikipedia developers statistics cookie statement mobile view. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. For large groups, help us help you please call ahead. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. The sea lion caves in florence are the largest system of sea caverns in the united states, and also attract many visitors. Sea lion caves is not a zoo, so the protected marine animals come and go as the please. Take a journey into the underground to discover the uniqueness of oregon caves together as a family. The stellar sea lions are frequently in the caves, but not all the time so be prepared for that. The stellar sea lion, also known as the northern sea lion, is the largest member of. Good roads, one of the largest state park systems in the country, restaurants, and hotels and motels facilitated the annual surge of visitors. Sea lions, sea caves, and sea coast sea lion caves. We couldnt ask for a better spot on the oregon coast.
Come with us as we travel down highway 101 along the oregon coast to florence oregon where we visit the sea lion caves. The mammals can be observed in their natural surroundings. Take an elevator ride 200 feet 61 m down into the cave. Sea lion caves is an allnatural wildlife preserve and marine sanctuary.