Moaning Cavern Adventure Park

5350 Moaning Cave Rd, Vallecito, CA 95251, USA

Address:	5350 Moaning Cave Rd, Vallecito, CA 95251, USA
Phone:	+1 209-736-2708
Site:	caverntours.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

Bruce

On our first visit here to the Cavern, we took the 45 minute "Cavern Walk Tour." In that tour, our guide took us through marble passages and down 234 stairs. At the bottom we were told that we were 165 feet below the ground. Our guide explained that excavations were conducted in which they discovered the bones of prehistoric people who fell into the cavern thousands of years ago. He went onto explain the history and geology of the cavern and said that further explorations have traced the cavern to its current depth of 410 feet. On our second visit here, we skipped the Caverns and went right for the zip-line that they installed in 2007. From a distance, the ride down the zip-line appeared like it would be long but in reality; it was over in seconds, at least thats how I felt. The ride down was also pretty loud because of the cables. While lying down, you can see the ground moving pretty fast past you and the wind blowing by your face. It was a great experience, but like in all good rides, it was too short! They said they were going to add another longer zip-line sometime in the near future and we will be there when that occurs! The only drawback was the cost, which I thought was pricey considering the one-way ride! If it wasnt so much, we wouldve done it two or three more times! I can just imagine what the longer line will cost once they set that up but Im sure my son and I will be back for more.

Jeff Reagan

I really liked this cave despite not touring extensive catacombs. Its one big underground room with a tall spiral staircase. There is a length of passage that is like a fissure in the rock, like a secret passage of sorts. I came away wondering if maybe all mountains are hollow and we just cant tell. The gift shop has an opening that ports into the cave from above. Natives and then settlers through stuff down the hole. A mound below is a protected heritage site. Human remains make that off limits. When we entered the gift shop some gal had rappled about fifteen feet down the hole and got scared, wanted to come back up the way she came. There was no way for the ranger to hoist her back out. He assured her everything will be fine. Eventually she kept going. Once we were in the cave the ranger pointed out where the ropes drop into the cave. The hole is in the center of the ceiling. I imagined keeping my feet against the rock wall all the way down. No can do. The rock wall disappears on all sides. It was her and that rope, one way out and that was down. I could see why she began freaking out. You cant see into the cave from the well lit visitors center she got past the last crag of well lit rock and the character of the offering contrasted starkly.

Connor Long

I went with a couple of friends and it was great! I did the "adventure tour" which includes a 165 ft rappel into the main cavern and then a ~2 hour guided tour of the cave, which entails quite a bit of squirming and climbing to make it through the various caverns. If you dont like heights or tight spaces, you can take the stairs into the cave. I will say, I took the stairs back up, and the view of the cave formations is stellar from the rappel and so-so from the stairs. I would recommend the rappel if you think you can handle it (It wasnt physically taxing but might be scary for people who dont like heights). Good stuff, and I would strongly recommend it.

Hannah Griffith

My boyfriend and I went as a spur of the moment thing and Im so glad we did. We went fairly late in the day on a rainy day so the tour (we did the standard walking tour) was just me, my bf, and our tour guide, it was great! Since we went on a rainy day, there was tons of water dripping down in the cave and even though it was kind of slippery, it really added to the abiance. We got to spend a long time down in the cave because we were the last tour group and our tour guide was super nice. Definitely not a tour for those afraid of heights, I didnt think I was as much of a scaredy cat as it turns out I actually am, oops. Will definitely go back someday though!

Alise Spencer

Customer service was fantastic. One of the guides really messed up and left my pregnant self, husband, and 5 year old stranded on the stairs while another group began coming down. These stairs are very steep and small. For a good 10 minutes we just had to hang on and hug the inside of the stairs. I was furious. The assistant manager did refund our entire cost and gave her sincerest apologies. I appreciated her immediate investigation into the matter as well. The cave its self is a great experience. Should take cautions as to the mobility of yourself and company when going up and down the stairs. Its not too over strenuous though.

Melissa Moldrup

I love caves! Moaning Cavern is gorgeous to see, but be prepared because youre going to have to descend 235 stairs to get in there. If youre adventurous, you can also try the 165 ft rappel into the cavern instead of taking the stairs down. However, those stairs are the only way out of of cave! While youre there, hop on those zip lines because they are a blast. Dont forget to go visit the amazing resident bird, Cuddles the Moluccan Cockatoo. He loves to strut, show off and chat with you! There is also a 3 hour spelunking adventure available here. Its by reservation only, but absolutely worth it!!!!!

Amy Baloo

Our family had so much fun in the Moaning Cavern. We had Maddie for our tour guide and she was knowledgeable and quick on her feet and funny and wonderful all around. Afterward, we panned for gems and cracked geodes. My only complaint and reason why I cant give this four stars is because while we were sitting and eating ice cream near the zip line area the employees there (running the zip line) had extremely filthy mouths. I just think its somewhat inappropriate to say the f-word repeatedly around customers, let alone the the children that pan for gems directly under the zip line hut.

Marina Martinez

Took a loved one here for his birthday & had a great time. It is a bit far of a drive (2hrs for me) but worth it. Free parking & 1 free activity for a birthday that same day.picture dont do justice compared to actually seeing it for yourself!They even have a pic ofTom hanks visiting & doing the cave rapple (scarey as hell). I came for the ziplines & cave tour. Very beautiful & lots of historical facts & history about this place. They show you the bones they have found in the caves of people who unfortunately accidentally fell into the caves & are still slowly but surely finding them.

Tina Milani

We did the Adventure Tour. Amazing! It was so much cooler than I could have anticipated. The photos shown on their website are just a couple samplings of the MANY tight spaces you squeeze through. 90% of the tour youre belly crawling, butt sliding, back shimmying, etc. Our guide was Ray, and he was fantastic! His calm easy going way gave me confidence to get through the experience, and even go on to the extra optional chimney climb at the end. Wow- if youre even slightly interested in this- you have to do it! What an experience!