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Cabrillo National Monument

San Diego, CA

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’s 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.

CONTACTS

Email - CABR_Administration@nps.gov

Fax- 619-557-5469

Write to
Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
San Diego, CA 92106-3601

Phone
Headquarters - (619) 557-5450
Visitor Information (TDD) - (619) 224-8211

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Daily: 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Open until 6:15 p.m. during the summer, July 4 through Labor Day. Winter and spring are especially good times to visit the park.. The annual migration of gray whales occurs December through February. November through March is generally the best time to explore the park’s rocky intertidal (tidepool) area. The coastal sage scrub is usually at peak bloom between February through April. Air visibility tends to be clearest in the Winter, and visitors to Cabrillo National Monument often discover spectacular views of San Diego Bay and downtown, Mexico, and the surrounding ocean during this time.

Getting There
PLANE - San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh 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.

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

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Local bus route 26 and taxicabs serve the park.

Weather & Climate
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."

Accessibility
The Monument is quite accessible. Ramps are available throughout much of the park. Special passes are provided to allow vehicles into less accessible view areas. The Visitor Center's rest rooms include an accesible unisex facility and a baby changing room. The historic Old Point Loma Lighthouse, however, is accesible by stairs only. Audio Station Programs are available in six languages. There are written copies of audio messages, a tactile model of a whale, adjustable phones, and a TDD.

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.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
ENTRANCE
$5.00 for 7 Days
Golden Age,Golden Access, and National Parks Pass passports and Cabrillo National Monument annual pass are accepted in lieu of the fee. Tour bus fees vary, depending on bus capacity - contact the park for information: (619) 557-5450.

INDIVDUAL
$3.00 for 7 Days
Golden Age,Golden Access, and National Parks Pass and Cabrillo National Monument annual pass are accepted in lieu of the fee. Children under 17 are free when accompanied by an adult.

CAMPING

No camping facilities are available in the park.
Private and public camping opportunities exist throughout San Diego County, check a San Diego directory for listings.

LODGING

No lodging is available in the park.
Lodging is widely available throughout San Diego County, check a San Diego directory for listings.

FACILITIES

Museums
COASTAL DEFENSE MILITARY HISTORY EXHIBIT
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone - (619) 557-5450
Special Programs - Ranger walks and talks given periodically.
Available Facilities - This small museum tells the story of the 19th Coast Artillery Regiment and efforts to defend San Diego Bay during World War II. It is housed in a former Army radio building. Inside are photographs, a 16-inch artillery shell and other information about the guns of Point Loma.

OLD POINT LOMA LIGHTHOUSE
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone - (619) 557-5450
Special Programs - Ranger talks given on some days.
Exhibits - The National Park Service has refurbished the interior the lighthouse to its historic 1880s appearance. Ranger-led talks, displays and brochures are available to explain the lighthouse's interesting past.

Visitor Centers
CABRILLO VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Phone - (619) 557-5450
Location - Cabrillo National Monument
Special Programs - Films and ranger-led programs.
Exhibits - Cabrillo National Monument, established in 1913, commemorates Juan Rodr?guez Cabrillo's voyage of discovery. A heroic statue of Cabrillo looks out over the bay that he first sailed into on September 28, 1542, and an exhibit hall explains Cabrillo's life and times.
Available Facilities - The Cabrillo National Monument Foundation Bookstore, auditorium, restrooms, and other amenities available.

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