Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
San Diego, California
(619) 557-5450 (map)
MONUMENT SCENIC VIEWS
Cabrillo National Monument sits on top of the world, or so it seems, with spectacular views of both San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The national park is an ideal spot for solitute and contemplation.
The main feature of the park is the statue of Cabrillo near the park entrance and nature center.
This national park rests on 160 acres of protected land at the southern-most tip of Point Loma, bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, San Diego Bay on the east, and quaint residential neighborhoods on the north. The park enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, mild winters.
From the monument, particularly the Cabrillo statue, you can watch as boats and ships enter and leave the harbor below.
CABRILLO MONUMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Cabrillo National Monument Nature Center
Cabrillo Park includes a visitor center with gift store and small theatre, showing films about the history of the park. The visitor center also has an outside viewing deck with visual displays.
Cabrillo Monument History
Cabrillo National Monument commemorates explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's first landing at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542. Cabrillo was the first European to visit what is now the West Coast of the United States.
Cabrillo Monument Park Activities
Situated on a high hilltop on the west side of the San Diego Bay, Cabrillo National Monument is popular for its city views, hiking and tide pools.
Some of Cabrillo National Monument's main attractions are a visitor center, a tall statue commemorating Cabrillo, and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. In addition, there are the panoramic views of San Diego Bay, Downtown San Diego, North Island, Coronado, Coronado Bridge, The Coronado Islands, Pacific Ocean, and Mexico. It's a great place to take photos.
Cabrillo Monument Hiking
The Bayside Trail is a little over two miles and descends down the eastern slope to the San Diego Bay below and then loops back. You can catch the trail about midsection, along the cement path that extends from the visitor center to the lighthouse.
Nearby Tide Pooling
Point Loma Tide Pools is the largest and most prolific tide pools in San Diego County. Be sure to catch it at low tide to see all that it has to offer. At high tide, you can still enjoy the scenic ocean view from atop the cliffs overlooking the tide pools.
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
This treasure is a short walk from the Cabrillo Visitor Center and parking lot. Old Pont Loma Lighthouse stands majestically above the San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean. In the main building, you can ascend to the second floor and see the refurbished living quarters of the keeper of the lighthouse and his family, much as it looked in the 1880s. The adjacent building has visual displays and large lighthouse lenses. Outside the lighthouse, a foot path leads to a scenic view point overlooking the ocean.
Cabrillo Monument Military History
Near the parking lot, on the ocean side, a radio station building has on exhibit showcasing the history of Fort Rosecrans. The area where Cabrillo National Monument is today, became a military reservation as early as 1852 to defend the harbor. During WWII, it became a vital lookout point for enemy planes, ships and submarines. San Diego Bay was a major Naval Port and prime target. Mortars were perched along the cliffs to help defend the harbor.
Whale Watching at Cabrillo Lookout Point
From December to March, visitors have a great view of the Pacific Gray Whale as it travels along its yearly migration route from Alaska to Baja California. The lookout point, just south of the old lighthouse is ideal for whale watching.
Hours: Cabrillo National Monument is open from 9am to 5pm, everyday of the year, including holidays and weekends. Lighthouse closes at 5pm, Bayside Trail closes at 4pm, and the tidepools close at 4:30pm.
More info: National Parks Service
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