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Cabrillo National Monument Foundation

Working to Enhance the Visitor Experience at San Diego's Only National Park

Visit Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego’s only National Park!  

Cabrillo National Monument is one of over four hundred units in the National Park Service system. The park is located in San Diego, California, perched on the southern end of the Point Loma peninsula more than 400 feet above the shoreline. The park offers unparalleled panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the urban skyline and mountain ranges from San Diego to Mexico. The park commemorates the voyage of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to chart the West Coast of what is now the United States. The park includes the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, illuminated in 1855, and 21 military fortifications which protected San Diego harbor in World War I and World War II. The extensive rocky intertidal area along the monument’s western boundary contains one of the best-preserved and well-studied tidepool ecosystems in Southern California.

National Park Service ( www.nps.gov )

What to Explore  at Cabrillo National Monument

More information about visiting Cabrillo National Monument , (nps.gov/cabr)

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Last updated: August 29, 2023

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1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive San Diego, CA 92106

619 523-4285

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Cabrillo National Monument

TripSavvy / Ana Alarcon 

Cabrillo National Monument is one of the best places in San Diego to get a bird's-eye view of the entire city.

The 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. Situated on a high hilltop on the west side of the San Diego Bay, the property is popular for its city views, hiking, and tide pools.

Visit in winter for the clearest skies. Visit late in the day to see the sunset. Whale-watching is best in winter, and tide pools are at their best November through March. In early summer, especially in June, the point may be shrouded in fog all day.

Things to Do at Cabrillo National Monument

You won't find any places to eat at the monument. Bring a snack if you think you'll get hungry before you're done. There are a limited amount of trash cans, so they asked for you to please take your trash with you.

• Views: On a clear, winter day you can see downtown San Diego, into Mexico and far out to sea.
• History: Learn more about Juan Cabrillo and visit the nearby historic military building to learn about the area's military history.
• Visitor's Center : Daily auditorium programs, chat with a ranger, look through the bulls-eye of a lighthouse lens, or get a hands-on feel for 16th-century armor and navigational instruments inside the Visitor's Center. Here you can find out when low tide is so you know exactly when to visit the tide pools.
• Living History: See the history of Cabrillo National Monument come to life with the interactive programs giving by reenactors who show what life at the lighthouse or time spent in the military here was like.
• Old Point Loma Lighthouse : San Diego's first lighthouse, restored to its 1880's appearance.
• Whale Watching: Whale Overlook, near the lighthouse, is a popular whale-watching spot, especially in January and February.
• Hiking: A self-guided two-mile walk begins near the lighthouse. This trail is particularly pleasant during the spring wildflower bloom.
• Tide Pools: On the west side of the park, accessible by car only. Best during extreme low tides, typically occur during the winter months, in the afternoon, when the moon is new or full.

Tips for Visiting Cabrillo National Monument

• Save your parking pass. Passes are valid for 7 days after purchase so in case you missed anything, or just want to go for the spectacular view again.
• Check their calendar of events to see what is happening when you plan to visit.
• Don't expect good cell phone service. Even if you think you have the best network, most likely you won't have service. So your social media post will have to wait.
• If you or a member of your party are unable to walk uphill to the lighthouse, disabled parking passes are issued at the visitor's center. These passes will allow you to drive to the lighthouse.
• Leave Fido at home. The Cabrillo National Monument is a natural wildlife preserve, and companion/comfort or emotional support pets are not allowed in the park except in the tidepool area, along the trail. They must be on a leash at all times. 

What You Need to Know About the Cabrillo National Monument

Admission is charged by vehicle. Check hours and admission prices at their website. Allow at least half an hour to take a quick walk through the visitor center and snap a few photos. Give yourself more time if you plan to watch a demonstration, tour the lighthouse, watch whales or visit tide pools.

Getting to Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive San Diego, CA Cabrillo National Monument Website

Cabrillo National Monument is located in Point Loma, on the west side of San Diego Bay.

Take Harbor Drive northwest past the airport. Get detailed directions at their website including information about getting there by public transportation.

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Education Programs

Program summary.

We welcome learners of all ages. Point Cabrillo has developed a wonderful education program for school and youth groups.  For adult groups and requests for docent led tours, see Group Tours .

Program Visits: The award-winning education program at Point Cabrillo has been refined over the past 20 years. Each spring our dynamic and experienced instructors bring local school classes 1st through 5th grade for different grade appropriate curriculum. Our goal is to increase awareness and appreciation of marine life, coastal ecosystems and local history. Through fun, hands-on activities and games we hope to create an awareness and appreciation of this unique and beautiful place. We aim to introduce the ideas of conservation and accountability by looking at the human history and ongoing preservation work. Year round, the education staff enjoys working with out of town groups large and small, to make their visits a richer and memorable experience.

Click here to see detailed course offerings.

Non-Program Visits: School and youth groups are not required to book a program with our educators, but we would appreciate notice at least two weeks in advance of arrival. See Scheduling, below . Vehicles transporting students should park in the parking lot and students should walk down the hill.  Please enforce a limit of 10 students at a time inside the lighthouse, preferably with 2 adults.

To notify us of an onsite visit or to schedule an onsite class for groups of children, please email your request to Pam Huntley, [email protected] . Be sure your email includes your name and phone number, the program title, 1st and 2nd choice dates, number of children, and your group’s affiliation, e.g. school, church, club, etc.

Online Educational Videos

Our Education Team at Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers Association is working to create a series of videos, featuring some of the content from our field trips. If you are unable to visit the Light Station, this is another way to learn.

Learn more about Grey Whales and North Coast History on their individual pages.

Education Program Funding

Our teacher compensation and other class expenses are paid by the Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers Association. We raise the money for these education classes from the annual Whale Festival parking fees and the Whale Festival Raffle ticket sales. Individual contributions to the PCLK Children’s Education Program are very much appreciated. Donations may be made online through PayPal by clicking the button below.

The Tidepool Exhibits

No matter what the tides are, our beautiful aquarium provides the rare opportunity to view our intertidal creatures up close and active underwater and all without harming this delicate ecosystem. The 240 gallon tank with local sea stars, crabs, anemones and even nudibranchs allows all of us to visit this fascinating world. The Marine Science Exhibit in the Blacksmith & Carpenter Shop also has beautiful and informative displays on marine life, current issues and seasonal events.

The Education Team at Point Cabrillo

Meet our incredible education team! Katie Brun, Sue Coulter, Pam Huntley and Heather King are the ladies who lead field trips, create our online educational videos, and so much more.

Contact us to learn more about scheduling your class on a field trip down to Point Cabrillo Light Station!

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Cabrillo Point Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school serving transitional kindergarten through 12th grade students in Orange County. We take great pride in being able to offer our students flexible personalized learning experiences through our many unique and dynamic programs.

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"I am so happy we found Cabrillo Point Academy! Best thing I have ever done for my kids! They have come so far in just our first year enrolled. I highly recommend this school to anyone thinking of homeschooling."

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This website was optimized for Cabrillo Point Academy and is maintained by Inspire Charter Services (ICS). ICS is a leading instructional and operational support organization for charter schools in California.

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• Skip to global NPS navigation
• Skip to this park navigation
• Skip to the main content
• Skip to this park information section
• Skip to the footer section

Exiting nps.gov

Alerts in effect, field guides.

Last updated: March 4, 2024

Park footer

Contact info, mailing address:.

1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive San Diego, CA 92106

619 523-4285

Stay Connected