Update: September 1, 2016. As an outdoor and travel writer, I believe that many places, including this one need to be treated with respect, and leave no trace principles. In the past, this has led me to not post directions - or provide directions to certain locations in order to preserve them. In terms of this post, when I wrote it in 2012, I wanted to share a spot that I had been visiting for years. Obviously, since 2012, many things have changed, including the popularity of social media (notably Instagram) and the popularity of the outdoors in general. Since I wrote the post, I've seen an exponential increase on social media about this place, as well as other blog articles. Recently, there has been a discussion about whether this place is "open" or "closed", especially among readers below, as obviously no one wants to a) get in trouble, or b) or jeopardize natural resources.

Based on the information I've seen, including some posted in the comments below, it appears that the area may be closed, and may have been closed at all times I visited (something I did not know). With that in mind, readers should be advised that the below article is strictly for information - namely, that a place exists, but that in all likelihood, it should be considered as "off-limits" for visitation. Finally, the reason I am somewhat indefinite on this is because of the following reasons: prior to writing this article, I had been to this location several times. During many of those occasions, I walked *right by* park personnel who said nothing to me about closures, even though this would have been during the time the area was off-limits (and, on one occasion, NPS personnel commended me for picking up trash in the area!). Separately, after writing this article in 2012, I spoke to park personnel on another visit about the area, and was told that there "was no closure". With respect to the latter, I do not regard this as "definitive" park policy, as I was not conducting an interview, and did not ask in a formal way, so such as statement may not be entirely accurate. Based on what I see now, it appears the area is closed. Visitors who wish to pursue this more should ask park personnel for a clarification (if one exists), and abide by whatever the answer is. While this may be disappointing, all of Southern California is full of sea caves, and great photo opportunities, and as such, plenty of other great places to explore and visit. For posterity, the original piece follows below.