Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument occupies the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula at 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr in San Diego, California, and is managed by the National Park Service. It commemorates Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the explorer who landed on the West Coast in 1542, with a large statue that looks across San Diego Bay toward the downtown skyline and Coronado. The headline sights are the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, completed in 1855 and restored with period furnishings, the visitor center with exhibits on the explorer and the region's natural history, and the sweeping views over the bay, the Pacific and, on clear days, the mountains of Mexico. Walking trails lead along the bayside and ocean sides of the peninsula, passing coastal sage scrub and old military installations, and a rocky stretch of shoreline on the Pacific side holds tide pools that are open to careful visitors at low tide. Whale watching is possible from overlooks during the winter migration. Most visits take two to three hours, which allows time for the statue, the lighthouse, a short trail and the tide pools. Late afternoon offers soft light on the skyline, and clear days give the best views, while morning marine layer can hide the scenery. Crowds build around midday and on weekends, and the road to the park can back up at the entrance gate on busy days. Parking is inside the park, and the entrance fee is charged per vehicle and stays valid for seven days. Federal passes are accepted. The main gate closes at 5:00 PM, so visitors planning a sunset should confirm current closing times with the park service.