Last updated: July 10, 2025
Thing to Do
Oceanside Trail
NPS Photo/A. Gossard
Length: 1 mi (.6 km) round-trip
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Change: 340 feet
Location: Southwest of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse grounds.
Parking: Main Parking Lot by Visitor Center.
Closest Restroom: Old Point Loma Lighthouse Grounds, Tidepools by Lot 1.
The Oceanside Trail significantly increases recreational opportunities by providing an entirely new trail that increases the park’s trail network by over 20% while also offering a car-free mode of access to the tidepool area. Visitors can now hike with an ocean view and walk to the tidepool area without needing to walk the narrow road shoulder. The trailhead starts at the top of the Whale Watch & Kelp Forest Overlook trail, south of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The trail leads down the bluffs and connects to the Coastal Trail and parking lot adjacent to the tide pools area. In addition to overlooking the ocean, this trail will pass by historic coastal defense structures, and give visitors the opportunity to hike in extremely rare undeveloped coastal scrub environments that are home to diverse plant and animal life.
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Change: 340 feet
Location: Southwest of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse grounds.
Parking: Main Parking Lot by Visitor Center.
Closest Restroom: Old Point Loma Lighthouse Grounds, Tidepools by Lot 1.
The Oceanside Trail significantly increases recreational opportunities by providing an entirely new trail that increases the park’s trail network by over 20% while also offering a car-free mode of access to the tidepool area. Visitors can now hike with an ocean view and walk to the tidepool area without needing to walk the narrow road shoulder. The trailhead starts at the top of the Whale Watch & Kelp Forest Overlook trail, south of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The trail leads down the bluffs and connects to the Coastal Trail and parking lot adjacent to the tide pools area. In addition to overlooking the ocean, this trail will pass by historic coastal defense structures, and give visitors the opportunity to hike in extremely rare undeveloped coastal scrub environments that are home to diverse plant and animal life.
Details
Duration
45-60 Minutes
Activity
Hiking
The trailhead starts at the top of the Whale Watch & Kelp Forest Overlook trail, south of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The trail leads down the bluffs and connects to the Coastal Trail and parking lot adjacent to the tide pools area. In addition to overlooking the ocean, this trail will pass by historic coastal defense structures, and give visitors the opportunity to hike in extremely rare undeveloped coastal scrub environments that are home to diverse plant and animal life.
Pets Allowed
No
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Oceanside Trail
The trailhead starts at the top of the Whale Watch & Kelp Forest Overlook trail, south of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The trail leads down the bluffs and connects to the Coastal Trail and parking lot adjacent to the tide pools area.
Reservations
No
Time of Day
Day
The Oceanside Trail is open everyday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Accessibility Information
Unfortunately, due to the steep gradient of the hill, the trail will not be wheelchair accessible. For wheelchair accessible options, check out the Mobility Services page. The new trail is considered strenuous and will have stair steps, steep areas, uneven surfaces, and switchbacks. It will be narrow with a steep angled slope greater than 15% running slope in some spots.
Cell service is not available on the trail or when down in the coastal area. Cell phone service is normally available at the upper trailhead. The trail is very close to the border with Mexico, so many visitors receive international roaming messages on their phones. There is generally no cell phone service at the bottom of the trail or at the tidepool area.
Cell service is not available on the trail or when down in the coastal area. Cell phone service is normally available at the upper trailhead. The trail is very close to the border with Mexico, so many visitors receive international roaming messages on their phones. There is generally no cell phone service at the bottom of the trail or at the tidepool area.