Cabrillo National Monument not only tells the story of this 16th-century exploration but also houses a wealth of cultural and natural resources. Join us and embark on your own Voyage of Exploration.
Photo: NPS Photo / Dan Zeller
Cabrillo National Monument
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States.
- LocationSan Diego, CA
- Entrance $20 private vehicle
- HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
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Weather now67°F Patchy rain nearby
- Alerts No active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Birds
- Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
- Coastal Defenses
- Explorers and Expeditions
- Lighthouses
- Maritime
- Maritime - Military
7 more topics
- Military
- Monuments and Memorials
- National Cemetery
- Oceans
- Scenic Views
- Ships and Shipwrecks
- Whales
Things to Do
6 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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Bayside Trail
Learn about what you can see and do while hiking the Bayside Trail at Cabrillo National Monument.
Learn more about Bayside Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Coastal Trail
Learn about hiking the Coastal Trail at Cabrillo National Monument!
Learn more about Coastal Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Earn Your Cabrillo Junior Ranger Badge
Reservation required
How to earn your Cabrillo National Monument Junior Ranger badge
Learn more about Earn Your Cabrillo Junior Ranger Badge on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Oceanside Trail
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…
Learn more about Oceanside Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Visit the Cabrillo Tidepools
Reservation required
Learn about visiting the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument!
Learn more about Visit the Cabrillo Tidepools on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Whale Watching at Cabrillo
Learn about Whale Watching at Cabrillo National Monument!
Learn more about Whale Watching at Cabrillo on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Showing 6 of 6
All 15 activities in the park
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Watching
- Biking
- Birdwatching
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Bookstore and Park Store
- First Person Interpretation
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
- Historic Weapons Demonstration
- Living History
- Park Film
Show 3 more activities
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
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Visitor Center and View Building
Facility
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…
San Diego, CA (619) 523-4285 Directions
Details
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 suggestions on what to do. Here you can: • Find the day’s schedule of auditorium programs and ranger talks • Get your National Parks Passport book stamped • Chat with a ranger • Pick up a Junior Ranger activity for kids • Find out when low tide is • Visit the park store • Many other things!
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Cabriilo National Monument
Hours details
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Cabriilo National MonumentDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
The park is open 365 days a year including holidays from 9 am until 5 pm. The Bayside Trail and the Oceanside Trail close at 4pm. The tidepools and the Coastal Trail close at 4:30pm.
Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Entrance fees
- $20Private Vehicle
- $15Motorcycle
- $10Per Person
All 8 fees & details
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Private Vehicle$20
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.
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Motorcycle$15
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
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Per Person$10
Admits one individual when entering by foot or bicycle. Groups of up to 4 people walking in or on bicycles are capped at $20 total. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.
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Commercial Entrance - Sedan$30
1 to 6 / ($30)
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Commercial Entrance - Van$45
7 to 25 / ($45)
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Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$45
7 to 25 / ($45)
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Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100
26 or more / ($100)
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Non-commercial Groups$20
Organized Non-Commercial Groups include church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc. Vehicles with a capacity of 16 or less are charged the $20.00 vehicle permit fee. Vehicles with 17 or more seats will instead be charged the $10 per person individual rate for any passengers that are not free. The total fee charged for an Organized Non-Commercial Group will not exceed $100 per vehicle.
Address
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DriveSan Diego, CA 92106
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
67°F
Patchy rain nearby · feels like 61°
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Today
67° 65°
Patchy rain nearby65% rain
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Tomorrow
68° 65°
Patchy rain nearby36% rain
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Wednesday
74° 67°
Sunny2% rain
Updated 11 min ago
What to expect by season
Check the current weather from the National Weather Service at https://www.weather.gov/. San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round, with an average of 201 days above 70 °F (21 °C) and low rainfall (9–13 inches [230–330 mm] annually).
Upcoming Events
6 coming up-
The Story of Cabrillo National Monument
About
Behind every landmark at Cabrillo National Monument is a story. Join a ranger for a 30-minute guided walk introducing the people, places, and events that shaped Cabrillo National Monument. From Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo's 1542 expedition and the history of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse to the creation and growth of the monument itself, discover how this remarkable landscape became the park visitors experience today. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning to explore again, this program provides the historical context behind the monument's iconic landmarks and offers a deeper appreciation for the stories that continue to shape Cabrillo National Monument. No reservations are required. Meet in front of the Visitor Center. Visitors are welcome to join or leave the program at any point along the route. Walk Information Distance: Approximately 0.2 miles Duration: 30 minutes Difficulty: Easy, with paved, flat walkways Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible Facilities: Restrooms and water refill station available at the Visitor Center What to Bring Water Sun protection (hat and sunscreen) Comfortable walking shoes Questions! Rangers are happy to help you plan the rest of your visit after the program. Fees This event is free to attend. Location Meet outside the Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument. -
Guided Walking Tour of Cabrillo
About
Join a park volunteer for a one-hour walking tour of Cabrillo National Monument including the Cabrillo Statue and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This program is suitable for all ages. No reservations required. Meet in front of the Visitor Center and keep in mind that the walk includes a hill up to the lighthouse.
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Open Military Bunker
About
If conditions permit, volunteers will bring the coastal defenses of Point Loma to life. These are your only chances to tour the bunkers on Point Loma. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to learn more about the soldiers stationed at Fort Rosecrans during WWII and see the weapons and instruments that protected our coast during the tumultuous war years.
The bunker can't be opened if there is inclement weather. Check with the Visitor Center for the latest schedule.
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Guided Bird Watching
About
Cabrillo National Monument is a hotspot for both resident and migrating birds as part of the Pacific Flyway, a central migration corridor used by billions of birds each year. Its unique ecology and position along the coast make Cabrillo an ideal place to observe terrestrial and coastal bird species. Join park staff for a one-mile bird watching hike along the coastal trail. All ages and experience levels are welcome. This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of birding while seeing some of the diverse birds that call the coast home. No reservations required. Meet at the Tidepool kiosk, located at the entrance of the Coastal Trail at Parking Lot 1. Please note there is no cell or internet service in this area. Binoculars are available for checkout, on a first come, first served basis. Trail Info Trail Length: One-mile round trip Class 3 Trail: Middle section Class 5 Trail: Entrances at Lot 1 and Lot 2 Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with a few steep slopes and staircases Hiking Time: 1 hour Facilities: Restrooms at Lot 1; no trash cans or water refill stations along the trail What to bring Bring water, and sunscreen especially during warm summer months. Wear sturdy shoes suitable for uneven surfaces. Your favorite pair of binoculars ( we will have some available for checkout) Fees This event is free to attend Location Tidepool parking lot one of the coastal area. 32.668251, -117.244316
Show 2 more events
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Open Tower Day
About
Imagine yourself as the first keeper when you make your way to the top of the lighthouse in celebration of the anniversary of the first time the light was lit!
On Open Tower Days, you can experience the lighthouse with a half-hour guided tour between 10:00am - 3:30pm. The guided tours are the only way to access the top tower of the lighthouse and will give participants a glimpse into life at this lighthouse station between 1855 - 1891. Tickets will be available on the day of the event, first come first serve. Please stop by the ticketing table near the lighthouse earlier in the day to ensure a ticket time. All participants must stop by the ticketing table to obtain ticket.
For those who do not wish to climb to the top tower, you will still be able to experience the kitchen of the lighthouse with historic interpreters. All activities are available at no additional cost to the entrance fee.
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Park Open - New Year's Day
About
Cabrillo will be open normal operating hours on New Year's Day.
Photos
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Spring flowers in front of Old Point Loma Lighthouse — NPS Photo / Mike Nelson -
Getting There
San Diego, CA 92106
FROM DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO Take Harbor Drive past the airport Turn left onto Rosecrans Street Turn right onto Canon Street Turn left onto Catalina Blvd. (also known as Cabrillo Memorial Drive) Follow Catalina Blvd. all the way to the end
Mailing address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA 92106-3601
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