Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the 1542 landing of the explorer Juan Rodredguez Cabrillo and preserves maritime, cultural, and natural features on the Point Loma peninsula in San Diego. The site includes historical structures, interpretive displays, and coastal habitats.

Key visitor features are the restored Old Point Loma Lighthouse, intertidal tide pools exposed at low tide, and a visitor center with exhibits about early exploration and local maritime history. The promontory also provides wide views across San Diego Bay and the Pacific.

The site was designated to interpret Cabrillo’s landing and to protect the coastal environment and historic resources; it has since been managed for public access, interpretation, and resource protection. Facilities support trail access, ranger programs, and viewpoint overlooks.

Cabrillo National Monument is located on the western tip of the Point Loma peninsula, approximately 5 miles west of central San Diego by road, overlooking the entrance to San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

• Views and wildlife: The monument sits at the tip of the Point Loma peninsula with panoramic views of San Diego Bay, the city skyline, and the Pacific Ocean; it is a popular spot for sunsets and whale watching seasonally.

What to See #

• Old Point Loma Lighthouse: The Old Point Loma Lighthouse, built in 1855 and decommissioned in 1891, stands in restored condition at the monument overlooking the channel.
• Tide pools: Intertidal tide pools at the base of the cliffs are exposed at low tide and host marine invertebrates and algae; guided tide-pool walks are sometimes offered.
• Visitor center and Cabrillo statue: A visitor center and statue commemorate the landing of the 16th-century explorer for whom the site is named, and interpretive exhibits describe the area's maritime history.