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Sea Lion Caves, Florence

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Sea Lion Caves

91560 Highway 101 North, Florence, OR 97439
541 547 3111
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sea lions
156 visitor photos
Ranked #9 of 19 attractions in Florence
4.0 of 5 stars 313 Reviews
Type: Caverns/ Caves
Activities: Viewing wildlife
Owner description: Considered the largest sea cave in the United States, this site is where Steller sea lions and their cubs take shelter each year. Sea Lion Caves is a... more » Owner description: Considered the largest sea cave in the United States, this site is where Steller sea lions and their cubs take shelter each year. Sea Lion Caves is a privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary. The Caves has been in operation since 1932 preserving and protecting the wildlife under our care. We are open 363 days a year only closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving day. Our normal hours of operation are 9 am until dusk year round. We are not a zoo and the animals are free to come and go as they please. The sea lions can usually be found at either of four locations on the property; in the Cave, in the water, at the Lookout/rockery, and on other nearby rock ledges. HOWEVER, THE SEA LIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS IN THE CAVE OR MAY BE MIGRATING OUT OF AREA - THEY ARE WILD ANIMALS AND COME AND GO AS THE PLEASE. CALL AHEAD FOR INFORMATION. Self-guided are the rule, but guided tours are available. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
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313 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    90
    106
    78
    27
    12
Date Rating
Senior Contributor
39 reviews 39 reviews
16 attraction reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
25 helpful votes 25 helpful votes
“Seal Lions were great, but a little pricey!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 June 2013 NEW via mobile

We stopped here because we thought it would be a nice excursion for our boys. It is a little spendy at $14 for adults and $8 for ages 6-12. We spent just a little more than an hour and it cost us $44. The sea lions were mainly outside on the cliff due to the season, and very few in... More

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Brisbane
Top Contributor
104 reviews 104 reviews
65 attraction reviews
Reviews in 50 cities Reviews in 50 cities
70 helpful votes 70 helpful votes
“Expensive for what it is”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 June 2013 NEW

As previous reviewers have stated the entry price for this attraction is too high for what you actually get to see. We paid $14 a head to go down an elevator to view not so many seals in an open cave. Thing is they have the cave streamed live into the gift shop so basically apart from the smell of... More

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Wichita, Kansas, United States
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Fun Stop Along 101 Highway”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 June 2013 NEW

My husband and I were traveling down Highway 101 via motorcycle. This was a great stop for us. The underground cave was fascinating. It was fun viewing the sea lions within their natural habitat. I only wished we could have seen the sea lions more up close outside, but I understand the need to protect the natural habitat of the... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Arizona
Top Contributor
59 reviews 59 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 32 cities Reviews in 32 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
“Expensive but love the sea lions”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 June 2013

Price is too high but it still nice to seethe sea lions. Many (200) viewable from the observation point and a few were in the cave.

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See 3 more reviews by scottstraveler for Florence
Mesa, Arizona
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Too expensive for what you see.”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 June 2013 via mobile

Paid $50 for our family of 4, which seemed like a lot going in. Wasn't sure what we hoped to experience, but the number of cars in the parking lot made me think it must be good. In the end, we spent about 30 minutes on location, including time in the gift shop. Excluding the cave (which has limited view... More

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Delray Beach, Florida
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“Overpriced”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 June 2013

Overrated attraction. Nice views of Sea Lions and caves but really only worth 15-30 minutes. Nice people and gift shop. Good spot to take photos of nearby Lighthouse. But you can do that for free in their parking lot.

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Titusville
Top Contributor
441 reviews 441 reviews
298 attraction reviews
Reviews in 149 cities Reviews in 149 cities
157 helpful votes 157 helpful votes
“Is it worth the $$$”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 June 2013

We have traveled from Florida to Florence in our RV. We have spent thousands of dollars on gas (CA @ $4.20 a gallon) and RV sites and it has all come to this really big decision: Do spend $25 for us to see a cave? It is funny how people determine value. I have seen sea lions all up the... More

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See 7 more reviews by James H for Florence
Eugene, Oregon
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Big-bigger-and down right hugh”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 May 2013

Amazing what nature has done. Caves are located near the Heceta head lighthouse. On warm days the sea lions can be seen and heard (they are loud) on the rocks outside. Enjoy-great for kids.

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EUGENE
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“A lot of seals!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2013

Over the years I have been there a great many times. I take all our visitors there and they are always enjoy. Inside down it the cave or looking at things outside, it is always very nice.

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Medford, Oregon
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“great experience”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013

great way to visit nature like you never seen. it does smell in the caves, but you will get used to it.

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See 3 more reviews by john e for Florence

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Sea Lion Caves
91560 Highway 101 North
Florence, OR 97439
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