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Sea Lion Caves, Florence, OR
AttractionsFamily FavoriteOutdoor AdventureIconic

Sea Lion Caves

91560 Hwy 101 · Florence, OR

Why you should go…

Sea Lion Caves is a privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary that has operated since 1932, located on Highway 101 about 11 miles north of Florence, Oregon. An elevator descends into what is billed as America's largest sea cave, where visitors can view wild Steller sea lions in their natural habitat. The site is open daily year round except for a few winter holidays.

  • #wildlife
  • #coast
  • #nature
  • #family
  • #cave

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Sea Lion Caves, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Heceta Head Lighthouse

    Under $25

    Climb a half-mile trail from a sheltered beach to an 1894 lighthouse perched 206 feet above the Pacific.

    1.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    C&M Stables

    $50+

    Guided horseback rides along Oregon Coast beaches and dunes near Florence.

    9.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Sandland Adventures

    $25–$50

    Dune buggy and sandrail tours through the Oregon Dunes, plus a family fun center in Florence.

    10 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

    Under $25

    Hike old-growth forest to tide pools and watch Thor's Well and Spouting Horn erupt below an 800-foot headland.

    11 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Sand Dunes Frontier

    $25–$50

    Guided dune buggy rides and ATV rentals with direct access to the Oregon Dunes.

    14 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Mariner Square

    Under $25

    A Newport, Oregon bayfront complex still anchored by Ripley's Believe It or Not, though earlier tenants have closed.

    35 mi awayMore like this