Cabrillo National Monument Custom Search On September 28, 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo landed at San Diego Bay. This event marked the first time that a European expedition had set foot on what later became the west coast of the United States. His accomplishments were memorialized in 1913 with the establishment of Cabrillo National Monument. The park offers a superb view of San Diego’s harbor and skyline. At the highest point of the park stands the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which has been a San Diego icon since 1854. A statue and museum in the Visitor Center commemorate Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's exploration of the coast of California. In a former army building an exhibit tells the story of the coast artillery on Point Loma. In the winter, migrating gray whales can be seen off the coast. Native coastal sage scrub habitat along the Bayside Trail offers a quiet place to reflect and relax. On the west side of the park is a small but beautiful stretch of rocky-intertidal coastline.   CONTACTS Email - CABR_Administration@nps.gov Fax- 619-557-5469 Write to Cabrillo National Monument 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive San Diego, CA 92106-3601 Phone Headquarters - (619) 557-5450 Visitor Information (TDD) - (619) 224-8211 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Daily: 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Open until 6:15 p.m. during the summer, July 4 through Labor Day. Winter and spring are especially good times to visit the park.. The annual migration of gray whales occurs December through February. November through March is generally the best time to explore the park’s rocky intertidal (tidepool) area. The coastal sage scrub is usually at peak bloom between February through April. Air visibility tends to be clearest in the Winter, and visitors to Cabrillo National Monument often discover spectacular views of San Diego Bay and downtown, Mexico, and the surrounding ocean during this time. Getting There PLANE - San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field) serves the area, and is within sight of the Monument. Follow State Highway 209 south, from Interstate Highways I-5 and I-8, to the tip of Point Loma. Major car rental agencies are available in San Diego. CAR - Follow State Highway 209 south, from Interstate Highways I-5 or I-8, to the tip of Point Loma. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Local bus route 26 and taxicabs serve the park. Weather & Climate The San Diego coastline generally offers a sunny and mild climate year-round. The ocean, however, can have a strong influence on weather conditions. Visitors should be prepared for cool and windy conditions, even if it is hot and dry further inland. A gray-marine layer can develop near the coast at any time of year, but this phenomenon is most common in the late spring and early summer. Locals call these times 'May Gray' and 'June Gloom.' Accessibility The Monument is quite accessible. Ramps are available throughout much of the park. Special passes are provided to allow vehicles into less accessible view areas. The Visitor Center's rest rooms include an accesible unisex facility and a baby changing room. The historic Old Point Loma Lighthouse, however, is accesible by stairs only. Audio Station Programs are available in six languages. There are written copies of audio messages, a tactile model of a whale, adjustable phones, and a TDD. Getting Around Exploration of the park is limited to designated trails in order to minimize erosion and to protect the dry coastal sage scrub plants from trampling. Cliff edges are extremely unstable and may collapse, causing serious injury to visitors exploring off-trail areas. The intertidal areas are slippery and falls are frequent. Rattlesnakes have been seen in the Monument. CAMPING No camping facilities are available in the park. Private and public camping opportunities exist throughout San Diego County, check a San Diego directory for listings. LODGING No lodging is available in the park. Lodging is widely available throughout San Diego County, check a San Diego directory for listings. FACILITIES Museums COASTAL DEFENSE MILITARY HISTORY EXHIBIT Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone - (619) 557-5450 Special Programs - Ranger walks and talks given periodically. Available Facilities - This small museum tells the story of the 19th Coast Artillery Regiment and efforts to defend San Diego Bay during World War II. It is housed in a former Army radio building. Inside are photographs, a 16-inch artillery shell and other information about the guns of Point Loma. OLD POINT LOMA LIGHTHOUSE Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone - (619) 557-5450 Special Programs - Ranger talks given on some days. Exhibits - The National Park Service has refurbished the interior the lighthouse to its historic 1880s appearance. Ranger-led talks, displays and brochures are available to explain the lighthouse's interesting past. Visitor Centers CABRILLO VISITOR CENTER Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Phone - (619) 557-5450 Location - Cabrillo National Monument Special Programs - Films and ranger-led programs. Exhibits - Cabrillo National Monument, established in 1913, commemorates Juan Rodr?guez Cabrillo's voyage of discovery. A heroic statue of Cabrillo looks out over the bay that he first sailed into on September 28, 1542, and an exhibit hall explains Cabrillo's life and times. Available Facilities - The Cabrillo National Monument Foundation Bookstore, auditorium, restrooms, and other amenities available.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Cabrillo National Monument.   Campgrounds Near Cabrillo National Monument: Ocean Experience, San Diego, 1 miles away Coastal Trailer Villa, San Diego, 3 miles away Morena Mobile Village, San Diego, 4 miles away Campland On The Bay, San Diego, 4 miles away Mission Bay RV Resort, San Diego, 4 miles away Rancho Del Cielo-camping, San Diego, 5 miles away Santa Fe Park, San Diego, 5 miles away   Marinas Near Cabrillo National Monument: Sun Harbor Marina-Point Loma, San Diego , 1 miles away Shelter Island Marina, San Diego , 1 miles away Kona Kai Marina, San Diego , 1 miles away Half Moon Anchorage, San Diego , 1 miles away Shelter Cove Marina, San Diego , 1 miles away   Hotels Near Cabrillo National Monument: Cabrillo Inn and Suites, San Diego , 1 miles away Ramada San Diego Airport, San Diego , 1 miles away Point Loma Inn and Suites, San Diego , 1 miles away Comfort Inn At The Harbor, San Diego , 1 miles away Quality Inn Airport SeaWorld Area, San Diego , 1 miles away Best Western Yacht Harbor Hotel, San Diego , 1 miles away Inn At Sunset Cliffs, San Diego , 1 miles away   Beaches Near Cabrillo National Monument: Ocean Beach City Beach, San Diego County , 1 miles away La Playa, San Diego County , 1 miles away Dog Beach, San Diego County , 2 miles away Ski Beach, San Diego County , 3 miles away Crown Point Shores, San Diego County , 3 miles away   Ski Areas Near Cabrillo National Monument: Snow Valley, California , 88 miles away, 1041 foot drop, 11 lifts, 30 runs Snow Summit, California , 91 miles away, 1200 foot drop, 14 lifts, 31 runs Bear Mountain, California , 91 miles away, 1665 foot drop, 12 lifts, 34 runs Mt. Baldy, California , 93 miles away, 2100 foot drop, 4 lifts, 28 runs   Whitewater Near Cabrillo National Monument: Whitewater Outfitter - The Adventure Center, San Diego County , 3 miles away, Whitewater outfitter Los Penasquitos Creek, San Diego County , 15 miles away, Class III+(V+) - 9 miles long (I-15 to I-5) Escondido Creek, San Diego County , 20 miles away, Class III-IV - 6.6 miles long (San Elijo Canyon: Elfin Forest Preserve to Camino Del NoRoute Road)   Public Lands Near Cabrillo National Monument: Old Town San Diego State Park, California , 3 miles away Silver Strand State Beach, California , 9 miles away Torrey Pines State Beach, California , 11 miles away Torrey Pines State Reserve State Park, California , 12 miles away   Golf Courses Near Cabrillo National Monument: Sailho, San Diego , 2 miles away Presidio Hills Golf Course, San Diego , 3 miles away Mission Bay Golf Course, San Diego , 4 miles away Tecolote Golf Course, San Diego , 5 miles away Riverwalk Golf Course, San Diego , 5 miles away   Lakes Near Cabrillo National Monument Smiley Lagoon, San Diego County , 2 miles away Lake Miramar, San Diego County , 14 miles away Sweetwater Reservoir, San Diego County , 16 miles away Lake Hodges, San Diego County , 20 miles away