Cabrillo National Monument

Plan your visit to Cabrillo National Monument

Researched from the venue and public sources, not a first-hand visit. How we write these

How long to spend

A quick stop for views and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse can be short, while a half day covers the visitor center, lighthouse, whale overlook, and tide pools. The Bayside Trail adds one to two hours on its own.

Best time to go

Fall and winter bring daylight low tides, with December through March the best stretch for tide pooling; a tide of 0.7 feet or lower works best. Gray whales pass mid-December through March, and mornings or late afternoons on non-holiday weekdays are the least crowded.

Parking & getting there

The park charges an entrance fee. The large lot at the Visitor Center serves the upper monument, and three smaller lots on Cabrillo Road serve the tide pools; these fill on weekends, holidays, and good low tides, and the road down may close temporarily. Rideshare works for the Visitor Center, but there is no cell service at the tide pools to call a pickup.

Best ages

Tide pools and the Junior Ranger program are big hits with school-age kids, and the lighthouse's period rooms take only a few minutes to tour. Wide, paved paths link the Visitor Center, lighthouse, and whale overlook, but the Coastal Trail has steep slopes and stairs that rule out strollers.

Food

There are no restaurants in the park; only vending machines and light snacks at the Visitor Center. You can bring a picnic, and the park is trash-free, so pack out what you bring.

What to bring

Closed-toe shoes with good grip for the slippery tide pool rocks, layers for wind and fog on the exposed point, water, and a picnic.

Rain or heat plan

Fog and wind are common even on sunny days; the Visitor Center exhibits and the lighthouse interior offer some shelter. Liberty Station and the downtown waterfront museums are a short drive for a fully indoor backup.