Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, California
On the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula, which separates the Pacific Ocean from San Diego Bay, Cabrillo National Monument stands in honor of Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who journeyed up the California coast in the mid-1500s. Stop at the statue for views of the open sea, bay, and San Diego skyline.
To learn more about Cabrillo, head to the visitor center at Cabrillo National Monument for exhibits about the explorer, as well as information about the natural history and native inhabitants of this part of California. On the ocean side of the peninsula, walk down to the tide pools (at low tide) to look for starfish, crabs, and other marine life.
The monument can be seen in a variety of ways, including via bay cruises and self-guided GoCar tours, or by booking a private sightseeing tour and choosing the monument as one of your customized stops.
You could spend anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes here, depending on if you want the full experience or just a photo op.
Pack a jacket to ward off wind.
Bring your own food if you wish to picnic on the point, but know that park rules ask that you pack out all trash.
Cabrillo National Monument is located at the bottom of Cabrillo Memorial Drive on Point Loma, which juts into the Pacific southwest of downtown San Diego. If you don’t want to drive, you can take a city bus from Old Town Transit Station.
The park and visitor center are open every day from morning to early evening; the tide pools close a bit earlier. From January to March, the monument is the best place in San Diego to see gray whales from land as they migrate.
While at Cabrillo National Monument, be sure to also check out Old Point Loma Lighthouse, located within walking distance of the monument. Dating back to 1854, the lighthouse was built in a Cape Cod-style and is open to visitors. While there, take advantage of ranger-led talks, displays, and informational brochures.
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