Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument boasts the story of John Rodriguez Cabrillo, who upon climbing out of his boat and onto shore in 1542, stepped into history as the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. In addition to this rich historic story of 16th century exploration, the park is home to a bounty of cultural and natural resources. Come visit the park and embark on your own Voyage of Discovery!
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Tom WorkmanPhone Number: 619-557-5450
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for seven days): $3; Motorcycle Pass (valid for seven days): $3; Vehicle Pass (valid for seven days): $5
Sights: Pacific Ocean; New Point Loma Lighthouse; Old Point Loma Lighthouse; San Diego Harbor
Important Dates
Established as Park: October 14, 1913By The Numbers
Acres: 159.94Highest Point: Old Point Loma Lighthouse (422 feet)
Annual Visitation: 804,826 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :32.674460 / -117.240430 (map it)
State: CA
Nearby Big City: San Diego, CA
Gateway Communities: Coronado, CA ; San Diego, CA; National City, CA; Chula Vista, CA; Imperial Beach, CA; Lemon Grove, CA
Nearby Airports: San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Juan Cabrillo Statue
K. L. Kohn
Statue and San Diego
Andre Nantel
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Lowe Llaguno
View More Cabrillo Photos
In Detail
Animals Animals Cabrillo National Monument and the Point Loma peninsula are home to a wide variety of animals that have adapted to this environmental island. Click on a topic above to learn more. Mammals C ... read more.
At A Glance Things To Know Before You Come A visit to any National Park is always more enjoyable with a little pre-planning. Prior to your visit to Cabrillo National Monument, you may wish to find out about:ΓΆΒ ... read more.
Frequently Asked Questions Are there any days that the park is closed? No, Cabrillo National Monument is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, from 9:00 AM to 5:15 PM. What can we do there? Lots! You can take a self-guided ... read more.
Geology Tidepools Windows to the SeaOn the western side of Point Loma lies the rocky intertidal zone, a window into the ocean ecosystem that lies along of San Diego's coast. During periods of low tide, pool ... read more.
History History and Purpose Cabrillo National Monument was created by presidential proclamation signed by Woodrow Wilson on October 14, 1913, and is one of over 388 National Park areas in the United States. ... read more.
In A Nutshell Operating Hours & Seasons THE PARK IS OPEN EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR! Cabrillo National Monument is open 365 days a year, including all weekends and holidays, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please note the fol ... read more.
Just For Kids Teacher-Led Visits You are welcome to lead your own field trip at Cabrillo National Monument. Reservations are required, and you may wish to apply for a fee waiver.For topic information, or for idea ... read more.
Lodging & Dining Campgrounds Cabrillo National Monument is a day-use area, so there is no camping available within the park. However, you can find many campgrounds by the beach or in the mountains or desert within t ... read more.
Natural World Native vs Non-Native Native vs. Non-Native Species: Get Clued In! Contributed by Cabrillo National Monument Biological Technician Stephanie Glenn We often hear about introduced or invasive species, ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Your Safety To ensure a safe and pleasant visit to Cabrillo National Monument, please take a moment to review some safety tips. • Hiking: For your safety and to protect the ecosystem, please s ... read more.
Plants Plants Dual EcosystemsThe plants of Cabrillo National Monument inhabit two ecosystems: the coastal Mediterranean ecosystem on the peninsula and the marine ecosystem off the coast.The Mediterranean e ... read more.
Preservation Our Environmental Commitment Dedicated to a Healthy Planet It's the mission of Cabrillo National Monument to preserve the park's resources and serve the public in an environmentally sensitive and su ... read more.
Things To Do Things To Do A visit to Cabrillo National Monument offers tremendous views of the San Diego region and excellent opportunities to explore the natural and cultural history of the area.The Visitor Cen ... read more.
Visitor Services Visitor Centers The Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument is the perfect place to get oriented to the park. Rangers and volunteers are always available to answer questions and provide suggest ... read more.
Who's Who at the Park Our Partners The Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF) is a private nonprofit organization which provides support for special projects at Cabrillo National Monument. CNMF has helped the Natio ... read more.
Cabrillo In Depth
News from the Parks
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
