Room Escape Artist

Jewel of the Sea is one of the best games in Los Angeles. Here are our other recommendations for great escape rooms in Los Angeles.

Putting the “arrr” in escape room.

Location:  Tustin, CA

Date Played: January 11, 2025

Team Size: 2-8; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $35-60 per player, depending on the day and team size

Ticketing: Private

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Jewel of the Sea was a whimsical adventure that celebrated the entertainment aspect of escape rooms. With some help from our exuberant adventure guide, we boarded a pirate ship, scoured the hold for clues, and ultimately made off with the titular gem.

Intrepid Escape Rooms packed a lot of elements into an hour: tactile interactions, memorable moments, challenging puzzles, a chatty helper, and a collaborative centerpiece. At times there was so much going on that we had trouble following along, even though there wasn’t always something for all five of us to do. But this is a pirate room, not a detective room, so the best approach is to go with the flow.

Besides the boisterous mood, the most prominent aspect of Jewel of the Sea was the carefully crafted set. The space felt immersive, and the furnishings were thematically cohesive, down to the tiniest detail. It’s worth noting that the space is fairly small, so a team with the maximum recommended size of 8 people would likely feel pretty crowded.

Jewel of the Sea felt less targeted to cerebral players and more to people who appreciate a good seafaring pun. It would be a good fit for pirate-loving locals or tourists in search of family-friendly entertainment outside the boundaries of Disneyland. Jewel of the Sea may not be exploring new waters, but it’s a good option if you’re in town and looking for an hour of high-energy fun.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Scenery snobs
• Salty sea dogs
• Groups with kids (and kids at heart)
• Any experience level

Why play?

• Rollicking vibe
• Collaborative gameplay
• No risk of seasickness

Story

A legendary jewel was said to be aboard an 18th-century pirate ship in Barbados. Our mission was to explore the ship and find the treasure.

Setting

Jewel of the Sea placed us below decks on an old ship full of nautical props and decor. The space was on the small side but felt thoughtfully designed. The items on display made the setting feel both opulent and functional.

Gameplay

Jewel of the Sea was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around searching, observation, cooperation, dexterity, and making connections.

Analysis

➕ The gamespace felt cozy yet plausible as a ship’s hold. The set was clearly designed with care. We appreciated the design details, both large and small.

➕/➖ The mood was busy, at times verging on chaotic. We found components for various puzzles at the same time. With all the parallel puzzling, sometimes it was hard to tell which action had produced which result.

➕ The puzzles were thematic and fun. One particular multilayered puzzle got our stamp of approval.

➖ One puzzle had wear that helped us determine the answer.

❓ Some of the puzzles were unexpectedly complicated for an otherwise lighthearted, family-friendly game. Our adventure guide could calibrate the difficulty level by offering help through an in-world hint system. It was a convenient, on-theme way to keep us on track, but some players may find it distracting.

➖ Some of the most memorable puzzling moments took place in the final section, but the last puzzle was one of the weaker ones. One last moment of triumph would have added luster to the finale.

➕ Intrepid Escape Rooms has a fun, engaging lobby with bonus puzzles and gifts for sale. It also functions as an event space. Players are welcomed with an in-character introduction in a transitional room before each game. Our entire visit felt like a well-crafted customer service experience.

Tips For Visiting

• There is ample parking at the venue.

Book your hour with Intrepid Escape Rooms’ Jewel of the Sea, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Intrepid Escape Rooms comped our tickets for this game.