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Caves in California

21 caves in California with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Siskiyou County has the most (7). The darkest skies are at Catacombs Cave (Bortle 1).

Top caves

Boyden CavernCave
Boyden CavernFresno County
Catacombs CaveCave
Catacombs CaveSiskiyou County
Crystal CaveCave
Crystal CaveTulare County
California CavernsCave
California CavernsCalaveras County
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic ParkCave
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic ParkSanta Barbara County
Lake Shasta CavernsCave
Lake Shasta CavernsShasta County
Mercer CavernsCave
Mercer CavernsCalaveras County
Mushpot CaveCave
Mushpot CaveSiskiyou County
Moaning CavernCave
Moaning CavernCalaveras County
Mud CavesCave
Mud CavesSan Diego County
Merrill CaveCave
Merrill CaveSiskiyou County
Valentine CaveCave
Valentine CaveModoc County

Caves by county

All caves (21)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Boyden CavernSequoia & Kings CanyonFresno County—Yokuts Valley3
Catacombs CaveLava BedsSiskiyou County—Altamont1
Crystal CaveTulare County1,510 mThree Rivers3
California CavernsCalaveras County—Mountain Ranch4
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic ParkSanta Barbara County—Goleta5
Lake Shasta CavernsShasta County—Shasta Lake3
Mercer CavernsCalaveras County—Murphys4
Mushpot CaveLava BedsSiskiyou County—Altamont1
Moaning CavernCalaveras County—Angels Camp4
Mud CavesSan Diego County—Pine Valley3
Merrill CaveLava BedsSiskiyou County—Altamont1
Valentine CaveLava BedsModoc County—Altamont1
Hall City CaveShasta County—Hayfork2
Balconies CavePinnaclesSan Benito County—Soledad4
Blue Grotto CaveLava BedsSiskiyou County—Altamont1
Balcony CaveLava BedsSiskiyou County—Altamont1
Big Painted CaveLava BedsSiskiyou County—Altamont1
Boulevard CaveLava BedsSiskiyou County—Altamont1
Cavern PointChannel IslandsVentura County—Channel Islands Beach4
Black Chasm CavernAmador County655 mRed Corral4
Bronson CavesLos Angeles County210 mHollywood9

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph caves

Caves are lit artificially — show caves have fixed lighting, so a fast lens and high ISO beat flash, which flattens formations.

  • Many show caves restrict tripods on tours; ask in advance or bring a small beanbag.
  • Use manual focus with focus peaking in low light.
  • Never touch formations — skin oils stop their growth.
  • Follow White-nose Syndrome decontamination rules where posted to protect bats.

Season: Cave interiors stay at a constant temperature year-round; summer tours fill up, so book ahead.