Cabrillo National Monument

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The park offers tremendous views of the San Diego area and excellent opportunities to explore the natural and cultural history of the area. The Visitor Center is a good place to start. A new interactive exhibit, titled “Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo and the Age of Exploration,” is now open. Films and ranger-guided programs also present interesting insights into the history of Cabrillo. A short walk leads to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. This picturesque structure is restored to its 1880’s appearance and presents life as it was for the lightkeepers and their families. Nearby, in an historic military building, the exhibit “They Stood the Watch” presents the history of Fort Rosecrans. A self-guided two-mile walk through a coastal sage scrub forest begins near the lighthouse. This trail is particularly pleasant during the spring wild-flower bloom and offers views of the harbor and city of San Diego. A little south of the lighthouse is the Whale Overlook. This vantage point offers pleasant views of the Pacific Ocean and the New Point Loma Lighthouse. In January and February whales are often seen from here. On the west side of the park, accessible by car only, is a beautiful coastal area. Birding is popular year round, and during extreme low tides visitors enjoying exploring the intertidal zone. Extreme low tides typically occur during the winter months, in the afternoon, during new and full moon events