What might just look like a resort area in a ritzy coastal California neighborhood actually has a mysterious secret hidden underneath.
The home, built by German-born engineer and artist Gustave Shultz in 1902, has a massive cave underneath it, which has become a major tourist attraction for visitors and locals in La Jolla – a rugged coastline area in San Diego.
It is unclear if Shultz was the one who actually chiseled out the massive ocean tunnel himself, as reports have long swirled around that he hired two Chinese laborers to get the job done, according to La Jolla By the Sea.
After about two years of creating it, Schulz soon came to the realization that he might be able to make a buck or two off of people who may want to explore it.
He started charging people 25 cents to check out the sandstone cave that he later added 145 steps to, along with viewing platforms along the mouth of the cave so guests could take in the breathtaking ocean water and bluffs.
Now, 123 years later, the sea cave has adopted its own name – Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave.
Tours of the cave – which is said to be the only one entirely accessible by land in the Golden State – last about 15-20 minutes long and the price to witness it has gone up significantly since Shultz opened it to the public.
Adults now have to pay $10, while children ages three to 17 are charged $6 to go on a tour of the marvelous cave.
A home is La Jolla, California has since been turned into a popular tourist attraction because it’s original owner carved out a cave underneath it
Gustave Shultz built the cave in 1902, though is said to have hired two Chinese laborers to carve out the thick rock
The home has since been turned into the ‘The Cave Store,’ which offers tourists a chance to get their hands on keepsakes to remember their experience there.
The store, which has been operated by several owners over the years, also walks guests through history with black-and-white images hung up on its walls of Schultz’s home and the retail location back in the day.
After about two years of creating it, Schulz (pictured) soon came to the realization that he might be able to make a buck or two off of people who might want to explore it
Those looking to take a trip there should be prepared to take on physical activity, as tourists have to walk up and down the cave’s 145 steps to get in and out of it.
People should also wear comfortable and supportive footwear as the tour itself can be slippery. It is also full of narrow areas, especially during its peak hours.
Although the business used to take reservations, they are no longer available.
Instead, tours come on a ‘first-come, first-served basis,’ according to the website.
People can also choose to kayak inside the cave if they would like, but that is not offered by the cave store, only by local third-party businesses.
The business ‘forbids’ anyone from climbing off the platform and into the water during the tours.
The home has since been turned into ‘The Cave Store,’ which offers tourists a chance to get their hands on keepsakes to remember their experience there
The business ‘forbids’ anyone from climbing off the platform and into the water during the tours
‘The waters can get rough and are shallower than they look. There are also wild animals such as seals and sea lions which have been documented as injuring swimmers before,’ the site said.
Despite not being able to enjoy a swim while on the tour, they recommended that those who want to hop in the water can do so by entering at Goldfish Point or at the Cove.
Service dogs are also allowed in the cave, but emotional support animals and general pets are not.
The name of the cave has also carried its own mystery as its name is said to have been coined by L. Frank Baum, the author of ‘The Wonderful Wizard of OZ,’ SFGate reported.
Baum reportedly felt that the unique cave carved out a silhouette that resembled Sunny Jim, a British cereal mascot.
An image of that mascot is also on the website’s home screen, alongside a seal.
People can also chose to kayak inside the cave (pictured) if they would like, but that is not offered by the cave store, only by local third-party businesses
Nobody truly knows how the cave got its name, but some say it was coined by L. Frank Baum, the author of ‘The Wonderful Wizard of OZ.’ He reportedly felt that the unique cave carved out a silhouette that resembled Sunny Jim, a British cereal mascot
Other than its popular tours, the cave is also said to have links to the Prohibition era, according to the outlet.
Long-standing rumors state that the sea tunnel was used as a way for people to transport booze in and out, and later, opium.
The destination is also no stranger to unique occurrences, as a curious sea lion wandered through the cave and into the store in 2016.
The marine animal roamed around the shop for about 10 minutes until an employee managed to lure him out with a tasty piece of salmon, Fox 5 reported.
‘He was confused and scared before I got him out the back door, through the garden gate, and heading back to the ocean,’ the worker posted to Facebook at the time.
