Plan Your Visit
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Colorful sea stars can be found in the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument.
NPS Photo
ACTIVITIES Activities at Cabrillo National Monument are as varied as the resources: • Who was Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo? Find out more about the 16th century explorer that the park is named for. • Hiking: The two-mile Bayside Trail affords spectacular views of San Diego Bay and the city beyond, and takes you through one of the last remaining remnants of coastal sage scrub habitat in the world. • Tidepooling: The rocky intertidal area at Cabrillo National Monument is one of the best protected examples of these unique ecosystems in Southern California. • Visiting the Lighthouse: Be sure to see the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, one of the original eight lighthouses on the West Coast, restored and refurnished to reflect what life was like in the 1800s. In the adjacent Assistant Keeper's Quarters, interactive exhibits tell the story of the Lighthouses of Point Loma. • Military History: In an historic radio station building, the exhibit “They Stood the Watch” presents the military history of Fort Rosecrans. • Whale Watching: Experience the annual migration of the Pacific Gray Whale as these majestic mammals pass by the park from December through February. 
The Plaza at the Cabrillo Statue is a scenic place to take in the view of San Diego and the harbor.
NPS Photo
VISITOR CENTER The Visitor Center is a good place to start your day at Cabrillo National Monument. The "Age of Exploration" exhibit, films, and ranger-guided programs present interesting insights into the history of Cabrillo, and rangers and volunteers are available to offer suggestions on what to see. Films are scheduled on the hour:
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Did You Know?
Did you know that Pacific Gray Whales were nearly hunted to extinction? They now number about 25,000, thanks in part to full protection by the International Whaling Commission.