Hike the Sacred Cove View Trail

This area is spectacular - the views of the cliffs, the channels of water entering the caves, and the marine life (sea lions, whales, dolphins, sea urchin and sea anemone) are huge draws. Bring anyone here that has a sense of adventure and be ready to get wet. Only attempt swimming across the channels of the sea caves if your level of experience and confidence in this environment are up to par.

Park at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park (fee), or on the street next the fire station right before the park (free, but limited). Walk along the road past the park until you reach the Sacred Cove View Trail (immediately after the sharp downward dip in the road). There two ways to follow this trail. If you'd like to check out the sea caves closer to Abalone Cove head right, but if you're going to head to the Sacred Cove caves, keep left all the way down to the water. When you reach the water, continue left as far as you can and you'll run right into the first sea cave (photo above).

Here you can jump into the water from a small ledge above the channel, or you can swim across where you'll see the next sea cave. DO NOT attempt this if you are a poor swimmer or if the conditions are too rough. The timing must be right to swim across with the incoming waves. Also be sure to scope out where you will enter and where you exit the channel for any hazards, sharp rocks, sea urchins, etc.