Thirteen kilometres north of Florence, a lift descends through basalt cliffs to a cathedral-sized sea cave where wild Steller sea lions rest year-round. The cave itself is remarkable — the largest sea cave in the United States — but the animals make it. In winter they pack the grotto; in summer most move outside to the rocky ledges, where you watch them from a clifftop viewing area instead. The coastal views from the headland above are worth the stop even without the cave.
Sea Lion Caves
A story
Sea Lion Caves is the largest sea cave in the United States — the main chamber is roughly the size of a football field. In winter, hundreds of Steller sea lions haul themselves inside to shelter from storms, filling the cavern with noise and a powerful smell. A lift descends 60 metres through solid rock to reach the grotto floor.