Vanalden cave Tarzana graffiti

Let’s go spelunking in LA! This cave in the valley is a modern-day cave with graffiti and evidence of recent landscape alterations. Perhaps a trashy site for an obtuse eye yet a definite archaeological gem from anthropological point of view. Vanalden cave Tarzana is strange, like a lot of places in Los Angeles although intriguing spot to check out in the San Fernando valley with kids. Cave in Tarzana is one of 3 caves in LA and one of two cave in the valley. Second – the Shaman’s Cave in West Hills; and third – the Bronson’s cave in Griffith park.

Who knows, maybe the drawings within the caves discovered now-a-days might have been seen as a type of graffiti by the prehistoric men. Those people who drew animals and geometrical shapes, like the Chumash Indian Paintings found in Santa Barbara, had very much similar concepts in mind to the word scribbles. Graffiti carry the meaning in words rather than in pictographs. Looking for places to go spelunking in LA?  Vanalden cave in Tarzana Should make it onto your itinerary.

Hopefully, the photographs convey the strangeness of this place. Favored by local teenagers this probably is not the most ideal place to go hiking in the evening or with little kids. However we saw several families with teenage children scaling the walls.

Vanalden cave in Tarzana with kids

Getting to the cave in the valley is a relatively short hike and can easily be done with kids. In fact your children may enjoy climbing around the carved in the sand/limestone walls recess. There are a few caves in LA and we haven’t found anything of the like yet. Vanalden cave in Tarzana is fairly safe place for little kids to explore (under parents’ supervision of course) just like the Bronson’s Cave.

If you continue past the cave and make your way to the Vanalden Vista you’ll get to enjoy one of the best views of Santa Monica Mountains and the San Fernando Valley. Vanalden cave in Tarzana definitely makes onto the list of things to check out with kids while in LA. Check out this post if you’re interested in going spelunking in Northern California while visiting Redding.

A bit more info to help you locate the cave in the valley.

Web: HikesPeak
Trailhead: 3630 Vanalden Avenue, Tarzana, CA 91356
Parking: Free near the trailhead
Length: 0.5 miles to Vanalden Cave Tarzana, and approximately 1.5 miles to Vista Point

That’s our California Perspective for today. See you out there on the trails !