Cabrillo National Monument

On September 28, 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo landed at San Diego Bay. This event marked the first time that a European expedition had set foot on what later became the west coast of the United States. His accomplishments were memorialized in 1913 with the establishment of Cabrillo National Monument.

The park offers a superb view of San Diego(e2)(80)(997320)harbor and skyline. At the highest point of the park stands the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which has been a San Diego icon since 1854. A statue and museum in the Visitor Center commemorate Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's exploration of the coast of California. In a former army building an exhibit tells the story of the coast artillery on Point Loma. In the winter, migrating gray whales can be seen off the coast. Native coastal sage scrub habitat along the Bayside Trail offers a quiet place to reflect and relax. On the west side of the park is a small but beautiful stretch of rocky-intertidal coastline.

Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
San Diego, CA 92106-3601
(619) 557-5450 - Headquarters
(619) 222-8211 - Visitor Information

By Plane
San Diego International Airport (Lindberg Field) serves the area, and is within sight of the Monument. Follow State Highway 209 south, from Interstate Highways I-5 and I-8, to the tip of Point Loma. Major car rental agencies are available in San Diego.

By Car
Follow State Highway 209 south, from Interstate Highways I-5 or I-8, to the tip of Point Loma.

By Plane
Local bus route 26 and taxicabs serve the park.

Getting Around
Exploration of the park is limited to designated trails in order to minimize erosion and to protect the dry coastal sage scrub plants from trampling. Cliff edges are extremely unstable and may collapse, causing serious injury to visitors exploring off-trail areas. The intertidal areas are slippery and falls are frequent. Rattlesnakes have been seen in the Monument.

The San Diego coastline generally offers a sunny and mild climate year-round. The ocean, however, can have a strong influence on weather conditions. Visitors should be prepared for cool and windy conditions, even if it is hot and dry further inland. A gray-marine layer can develop near the coast at any time of year, but this phenomenon is most common in the late spring and early summer. Locals call these times "May Gray" and "June Gloom."

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Educational Programs
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Wildlife Viewing
• Bird Watching
• Nature Walks

Recommended Activities
A film and ranger-guided programs about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo are offered regularly at the Visitor Center. The self-guided Bayside Trail takes visitors through the coastal sage scrub forest. It follows a gentle down hill slope toward San Diego Bay for one mile, then returns along the same route. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse has been restored with 1880(e2)(80)(997320)furnishings, and is open daily. A new coast artillery exhibit tells the story of the efforts to defend San Diego Bay in the early 20th century. At the Whale Overlook a protected shelter offers a good view of migrating whales. At the exhibit is a tactile model of an adult gray whale and calf.

Throughout the park are recorded messages in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, German, and Portuguese.

Cabrillo as Classroom: ranger-led education programs are offered at the park October through June for students second through fifth grades. These are State of California curriculum based programs. A teacher-led is also available. For more information about Cabrillo National Monument's educational opportunities visit our Cabrillo As Classroom web site

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