Visit the Park
At the park, start your journey at the Visitor Center, where helpful rangers and volunteers are available to assist and provide suggestions. Next, admire breathtaking views of the San Diego skyline from the indoor observation area. And don’t miss the Cabrillo Store, offering a variety of ways to commemorate your visit while supporting park programs and activities.
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VISITOR CENTER
Our work centers around supporting an outstanding visitor experience. The visitor journey begins at the Visitor Center, where friendly staff are available to assist amidst panoramic skyline views. Visitors can browse souvenirs at the Cabrillo Store, with each purchase contributing to park initiatives.
Did you know?
Cabrillo National Monument has been frequently showcased in commercials, especially for cars, and the new lighthouse grounds were featured in the 1986 film Top Gun and its 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.
JUAN RODRIGUEZ CABRILLO
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo led a European expedition to explore the western coast of the United States. Departing from the port of Navidad, Mexico on June 27, 1542, he reached "a very good enclosed port" three months later, now known as San Diego Bay. Historians suggest he anchored his flagship, the San Salvador, near Point Loma's eastern shore, adjacent to the site that later became Cabrillo National Monument. Although Cabrillo tragically perished during the voyage, his crew persisted, potentially reaching as far north as Oregon before adverse winter conditions forced their return to Mexico.
Established in 1913, Cabrillo National Monument commemorates Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's pioneering exploration. Although the San Salvador's visit to San Diego harbor lasted only six days, this journey, along with subsequent Spanish expeditions, profoundly influenced the complex history of southern California.
LOW TIDE IN TIDEPOOLS
The rocky intertidal area, known as the tidepools, is a favorite attraction within Cabrillo National Monument. Drawing over 350,000 visitors annually, these tidepools are among California's most protected rocky intertidal regions. The fall and winter months are the best time to visit, with ideal low tides occurring within park hours. During spring and summer, high tides typically submerge the tidepools while the park is open.
The tidepools offer more than just aquatic life; they provide a window into the geological processes shaping the intertidal area. Visitors can discover diverse seaweeds, mammals, birds, plants, reptiles, and the kelp forests along the Coastal trail.
WHALE WATCHING
Visitors can witness the awe-inspiring gray whale migration passing by Cabrillo National Monument's western overlooks each winter, as these majestic creatures journey from the Arctic to the bays of Baja California.
Gray whales, reaching lengths of 30 to 50 feet and weights of 20 to 40 tons, offer a fascinating sight as they navigate coastal waters. Thorough facts about their biology, feeding habits, and unique migration patterns chronicling the gray whale’s year complement the experience.
Visit during mid-January, the peak viewing time, or from mid- to late December through March for a chance to observe this natural spectacle from vantage points like the Kelp Forest Overlook and Old Point Loma Lighthouse, for an unforgettable encounter with nature.
HIKING TRAILS
Explore the hiking trails offering stunning views throughout Cabrillo National Monument, including routes around the tidepool area, bunkers, whale lookout, and lighthouse. The 2.5-mile Bayside Trail features panoramic vistas of the ocean, downtown, Coronado Island, and more, with glimpses of snow-capped mountains during the right season.
Another option is the Coastal Trail, a one-mile hike of easy to moderate difficulty, leading to the tidepool access area. This trail offers wide paths and coastal views but includes steep stairs and rugged terrain affected by erosion, unsuitable for strollers. Look out for native vegetation and park efforts to conserve the area's unique ecosystem.
The Oceanside Trail opened in April 2024 and was funded by Cabrillo National Monument Foundation, National Park Foundation, GRoW@Annenberg, Buzz and Helen Kinnaird, Hervey Family Fund and many generous donors. This mile trail offers panoramic views of the Pacific ocean, the New Point Loma Lighthouse, the Rocky Intertidal Zone, and beautiful hillsides with lush native plants. You can also experience traces of WWII history like gun mounts and other artifacts.
OLD POINT LOMA LIGHTHOUSE
The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is a focal point of Cabrillo National Monument's legacy. This iconic structure symbolizes the enduring spirit of exploration and preservation in California. Constructed in 1854, the lighthouse once served as a guiding beacon for sailors navigating the Pacific Coast.
Over time, the lighthouse has experienced multiple transformations, serving as a radio and signal tower, an Army post-exchange, a tea house, a visitor center, and more. A significant restoration project from 1933 to 1935, following Cabrillo National Monument's integration with the National Park Service, revitalized the lighthouse, preserving its important history.
MILITARY HISTORY
Visitors to Cabrillo National Monument can explore the remains of coastal defenses built to protect San Diego Bay, including base-end stations, searchlight bunkers, and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, once used as a command post. The exhibit "They Stood the Watch" in the old radio station shares the history of these structures. The Cabrillo National Monument Foundation offers additional resources on Fort Rosecrans and Point Loma's military history.
The Point Loma peninsula, rising 422 feet, forms a natural barrier at the entrance to San Diego Bay, offering strategic views of the harbor and ocean. Recognizing its importance, the U.S. government designated the area as a military reserve in 1852. Fort Rosecrans, established in 1899, saw the construction of numerous gun batteries and military facilities that played crucial roles during World Wars I and II.
CABRILLO STORE
The Cabrillo Store, located inside the Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument, and online, offers wonderful merchandise for you to bring home that showcases your park experience with others. Looking for a book about Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, tidepools or the military history of Point Loma? NPS Junior Ranger gear or Cabrillo logo hats, t-shirts and hoodies? A unique one-of-a-kind gift is surely to be found to help memorialize your 1st or 100th visit to Cabrillo National Monument!
Through the sales from the Cabrillo Store, we are honored to make a significant contribution to the visitor experience and to the Park each year. CNMF provides over $50,000 per year in support of park programs and activities such as education opportunities for San Diego County youth and schools.
The online store is currently under construction, but if you would like to purchase something, please email us at store@cnmf.org. Thank you!
