Education and Cabrillo NM

• On-site Ranger-Led Activities and Movies -- Free (Reservations Required)

• Pre and Post Field Trip Educational Materials -- Free

What You Will Discover On This Page:

• What is Cabrillo National Monument?
• On-site Ranger-Led Education Programs
• Film and Slide Program Offerings
• How To Make a Reservation
• Point Loma Lighthouse Virtual Reality Model

Background: What is Cabrillo National Monument?

Cabrillo National Monument is a 144-acre unit of the National Park System, located at the southern tip of Point Loma, San Diego, California. The site commemorates conquistador and explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo and preserves the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, the tidepools of the rocky intertidal zone of the monument, a coastal sage scrub ecosystem, and Coastal Defense remnants. In addition, the site offers a tremendous view of San Diego Bay and provides good shore-based viewing of the winter Pacific gray whale migration.

On-site Ranger-Led Education Programs:

The Monument's on-site education ranger-led programs are designed to support California frameworks for grades 2 through 5. Each program is 60 minutes in length and is limited to 35 students per program.

Two programs are offered daily, Monday through Friday. The first begins at 9:45 AM and ends at 10:45 AM. The second program begins at 11:00 AM and lasts until 12:00 Noon. Because of demand, each class is limited to one program each day. All programs require adult supervision.

Programs are offered free of charge. They are very popular, however, and space fills up quickly. Reservations are required; reservation information is outlined below at How To Make a Reservation.

Important: Classes must arrive promptly. If you are more than 15 minutes late the ranger cannot deliver a well rounded, curriculum-based, program. The program may be canceled if you are late.

Ranger Guided Activity Descriptions:

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo: A Voyage of Exploration
Journey back to the first European exploration of the California Coast; students will discover who Cabrillo and his crew were, what shipboard life in 1542 was like, and how they navigated along the California coast in 1542. This program includes a compass activity.
Available October through mid-June; grades 3, 4 & 5.

Life in the Intertidal Zones
Discover the remarkable plants and animals that live in this intertidal environment; students will study intertidal plant and animal adaptations for survival in this harsh environment. Students will conduct a field survey of intertidal life.
Available January through mid-June on days with morning low tides; grades 3, 4 & 5.
Call early, these programs fill up fast!!!

The Chaparral Supermarket: Native American Plant Uses
Walk the Bayside Trail and explore the coastal sage scrub plant community; students will explore the park's native southern California ecosystem and search for clues of how Native Americans in the region used plants for medicines, food, clothing and shelter. Students will complete a plant identification and plant-use activity.
Available January through May; grades 3, 4 & 5.

Growing Up In The Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Visit the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and step back in time; students will imagine living the life of the lightkeeper and his family in the 1880's. The activity includes a walk through the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.
Available October through mid-June; grade 2.

Film and Slide Program Offerings

Film and Slide Programs listed below are shown daily. Space in the auditorium is limited and reservations are necessary between October and June. Reservation information is outlined below at How To Make a Reservation.

STEPS TO THE SEA
Discover the Cabrillo Tidepools with a young brother and sister and learn about the plant and animals that make their home in the intertidal zone.
Slide show: 10:00 AM; 25 minutes.

IN SEARCH OF CABRILLO
This film explores the life and times of conquistador and explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo and the first Spanish expedition up the coast of California in 1542.
Movie: 11:00 AM; 35 minutes.

THE PACIFIC GRAY WHALE
Learn about the gray whales that migrate off of Cabrillo National Monument between late December and February.
Film: December through February, 12:00 Noon; 35 minutes.

How To Make a Reservation:

Advance reservations are necessary for all groups wishing a Ranger-Led Program and all auditorium programs from October to mid-June. To make a reservation, or get more information, telephone the park at (619) 557-5450 ext. 2231 or TTY (619) 222-8211.

Because of staffing limitations, we are only able to accept reservations from September through mid-June -- between 12:30 and 5:00 PM -- Monday through Friday.

When you call, please have the following information available:

• Several available dates for which you can schedule the programs.
• The program titles and times desired.
• The name, address and phone number of the school.
• The name of the teacher in charge.
• Any special considerations of the group.
• The number of students and adults attending.
• Whether you will be arriving by Car or Bus. *

Once you have reserved space for a program, you will receive a packet approximately two weeks before your visit. The packet will contain a reservation confirmation form which will also serve as a fee-waiver for the park entrance fee and will contain further instructions about your visit. Please read it thoroughly. The packet will also contain pre- and post-visit materials. We hope to hear from you soon.

* Bus parking is available at the park

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse Model:

Point Loma Lighthouse Virtual Reality Model. Synergyicons.com has created a build-it-yourself paper model of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse that can be downloaded free using Adobe Acrobat Reader (.pdf). This can be a fun arts and crafts project for your class thay can possibly be integrated with computer skill curriculum.

 

Last Updated: 02/13/2000