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Cabrillo National MonumentTheme(s): Early Explorers | Hispanic American | Westward Expansion | |
Description:
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.
Designations:
National Monument (1913)
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.
Activites:
Educational Programs | Fishing | Hiking | Wildlife Viewing | Bird Watching | Nature Walks | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Museum Exhibits | Tours & Guided Activities | And more.
Directions to Cabrillo National Monument
Plane:
San Diego International Airport (Lindberg 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.
Nearby Parks:
Joshua Tree National Park
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Channel Islands National Park
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Contact Information for Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
San Diego, CA
92106-3601
Phone: (619) 557-5450
Fax: 619-557-5469
Located in San Diego, CA
For more information on Cabrillo National Monument
Information on this page provided by the NPS.
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