Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument
4.5
Historic SitesNational ParksMonuments & Statues
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Stately monument honoring Cabrillo, discoverer of San Diego Bay, is located in Point Loma that overlooks the city and the Bay.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Claire K
    Hove, United Kingdom2,053 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Day 3 of the Californian Adventure
    If you have the time, this monument is definitely worth a visit. Not only is it very moving passing the thousands of war graves on the drive up there, but the views when you reach the top are breathtaking. Seeing Downtown San Diego, the mountains that surround & Mexico in the distance, was just incredible.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written February 22, 2024
  • Carrie D.
    Cleveland, Ohio2,444 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful National Monument
    What a beautiful National Monument! We enjoyed the film on the migration patterns of the gray whales. We walked up to see the lighthouse and the views from up there, which were as lovely as we expected. We loved the coastal trail and the tide pools. Cabrillo was an absolutely gorgeous place to spend a few hours in the morning—we’re just a little bummed that in the few hours we were there we didn’t spot any gray whales off the coast as we’d hoped.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 17, 2024
  • Jane L
    Evanston, Illinois276 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting History, Stunning Views and Tidepools
    This small unit of the National Park Service packs a punch! There are beautiful views, hiking trails, tidepools to explore and interesting history. We spent much more time here than we had planned, thinking it was just a small monument to Castillo. The NPS has done of nice job of incorporating information about the impact of European exploration on Native Americans in the area. Highly recommended.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 18, 2024
  • AJSt
    Minnesota57 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    History and hiking
    This is a great place to visit when in San Diego. Allow a minimum of 2 hours. There is a $20 entrance fee. The views are great from the visitor center and from the light house. Great information on the history of the area. Must do the hike to the lighthouse and do the drive to the tide pools. Be sure to bring your own water and snacks. Water fountain out of order on day of our visit. Perfect family activity on a sunny day.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 30, 2024
  • Clarence And G
    San Diego, California539 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL VIEWS!!!
    We visited the Cabrillo National Monument this weekend, and it was beautiful. It was a brilliant day. We're members, and we were visiting on our last month of our membership, April 2024. After we passed through the gate, we drove down to the lower level. BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL VIEWS!!! We love to see the sea lions and pelicans, and hear the crashing of the waves. We then drove up to the top, to the what you would call the Visitors Center. We went to the lookout, then the Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo Statue. After that, we split up. Gonzalo headed up to the Cabrillo Lighthouse, and I headed to the theater for the film. It was all about the discovery of San Diego by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and his crew. It was another brilliant day at the Cabrillo National Monument.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 7, 2024
  • worktotravel14
    Trenton, New Jersey4,066 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Go for the views, stay for the trails
    Travel through a military base to learn about this monument. Depending on the time you have, you can do a shorter visit which allows you to take in expansive views of lower Sand Diego, view Mexico on a clear day and take in plane landings at the military base. With more time visit the Old Point Loma lighthouse and walk trails that allow you to see amazing vistas. Finally with a car, visit the lower part of Cabrillo National Monument and visit Old Point Loma station. Unfortunately, we did not have a car nor time to do this and the Monument has a strict close, but we loved our visit there. The visitors center was closed at the time.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 27, 2024
  • Generals36
    Atlanta, Georgia277 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great views
    While unfortunately the military museum and lighthouse were closed for renovations at the time of our visit, we were able to stop by the visitor center and walk out along the area behind the center for incredible views of San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. We were able to use our America the Beautiful annual park pass, and we didn’t have to pay the $20 entrance fee; however, if you don’t have the pass, you may want to check to see whether the lighthouse and museum are open before accessing the park, unless you have plans to hike or otherwise explore the park in greater detail than just visiting for the views. Similar views can be found at other points (Point Loma).
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written June 11, 2024
  • LMS2017
    104 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing view, historical vantagepoint
    The Cabrillo National Monument lies on a Point Loma peninsula and it's worth the short drive. For $20, you can visit all week as many times as you want. On the way to the lighthouse, you pass through the Fort Rosencrans National Cemetery which is a humbling experience on the journey. The lighthouse has parking nearby in the Visitor Center lot. It is a short walk uphill to get to the historic lighthouse which can be toured on your own. There is another building with information about lighthouses, too. The view from the lighthouse is breath-taking and beautiful as you look out over the water in many directions.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 1, 2024
  • Dragon789wv
    Thousand Oaks, California2,397 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very good National Monument, great views
    This was the first time for my wife and I to visit Cabrillo National Monument. What's nice is that Veterans get in free, with proper ID/paperwork. It is a very nice place, and we enjoyed our 3+ hours there. After parking, we went to the Visitors Center to get the maps, as well as look around the store. Then it was to visit the Cabrillo Statue, and look over the ocean views an surrounding areas. We then visited the Lighthouse, and very interesting to see how these things worked in the old days. After that, we drove to the Tide Pools, although we did not trek all the way down. It was easy to mentally visualize the high and low tides there. All in all, enjoyed our trip. Negatives: It was hard to take photos of the various displays that explained the sights. Either the reflection from the sun due to the angle of the display, or very difficult to even split taking photos. Otherwise, we enjoyed our trip there very much.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 2, 2024
  • Rick & Kim
    Cascade Locks, Oregon129 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The views of San Diego and the bay is fantastic.
    Loma Point is one of the most visited National Monuments in the US. There are a lot of navel installments here and a national cemetery. We visited the information center and museum, but did not have time to see the light house or tide pools. The views of San Diego and the bay is fantastic. It was the start of Fleet Week and we saw several large naval ships entering the bay. We will be going back next year. Wife and I are 65+ and have a Senior Parks Pass so we get in for free. A great perk when you are retired.
    Visited December 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 22, 2024
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TheLeongOhana
United States7,753 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Family
This National Park was a little bit of a drive to reach but we were rewarded with great views of San Diego in addition to its historical significance.

The National Park Service managed the park and charged $20 per car admission. Walk or bike ins were $10 per person.

There was lots of parking at the lighthouse, visitor center and down at the tide pools.

The weather was bright and Sunny so we had great views of the Pacific Ocean (from the lighthouse) as well as San Diego city ( from the Cabrillo monument or back of the visitor center).

The visitor center had a small exhibit on the Spanish arrival and Cabrillo expedition as well as a short movie. Bathrooms here were clean.

There were a few hiking trails but it seemed most people stuck to the main attractions.
Written December 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TheExplorerFamily
Somerset, NJ7,139 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
What a wonderful place this was to spend an entire sunny morning…

The Park was established in 1913. There is a $20 fee per car, but we did not have to wait in the long line at the entrance because we had our Parks Pass. You show it to the Park Ranger in the shorter line who checks it and waves you right through. The Parking Lot is huge, and there is no issue as to where to find a spot. We stopped at the Visitor Center first, got our Date Stamps and Stickers for our Parks Passport, and then spent a little time looking at the displays inside. We stepped outside to the back from where we were able to get spectacular views of the Coronado Bay, the Naval Base below and the scenic expanse of the Pacific Ocean all around. It was fun to stand there and watch loads of big and small Ships sailing by.

We then walked around the corner to make our way to the Statue Plaza and The Cabrillo National Monument. This honors the site where San Diego was first discovered by the Spanish / Portuguese. There are a bunch of placards to read for the history buffs, and gorgeous views for the avid photographers.

The Lighthouse was a little distance away up on a small hill. The walking paths and the gardens outside are nicely maintained, and the tidy Assistant Keeper’s house with all the furnishings are all viewed through glass windows or doors. The Tower was closed on the day that we visited, but we could clearly see the large lens from the stairs. The Display Museum right outside in a small building was not big, but was interesting and informative. The views from up here are unobstructed and gorgeous. For hikers and walkers, there are plenty of trails from where one can enjoy the natural surroundings.

The Tidal Pools below are a very short drive from here, and definitely worth viewing.

The Park is a bit of a drive from downtown San Diego, but very worth a visit for historians, scientists, photographers and hikers.

Do visit. Do not forget to get your Passport Stamps, and make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
Written February 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

atlas993
Elk Grove, CA549 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
We tried getting here early, but they do not open the gates until 9am and there was already a line of cars when we got there around 8:45am! They also didn’t open the bookstore until 10am, but you can still get your stamp outside, so don’t forget your passport book! We literally had 20 min to walk around so we saw the lighthouse and did the look out which were both great. I would have liked to have more time to go to the tide pools and walk around more. I’d definitely recommend going here, just make sure you give yourself time.
Written December 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WanderingOttersons
Denver, CO1,474 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
Not just the Monument and lighthouse but also the coastal area park and Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery nearby so take some time to explore the whole area while you're here. On the west side of the point is a nice and easy walk along the coastline and the Point Loma tide pools. The history of the monument is interesting and gives you some background to the beginnings of San Diego. The lighthouse is cool and also has some great history and stories to read over. On top of the hill and on the east side of the point are some great views of the city, the bay and Coronado with the naval base. It is a national monument and park so there is an entrance fee for a vehicle but if you take some time to explore everything, it is well worth the amount.
Written February 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Beth K
Shawnee, KS1,661 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
So many great things about this location and I'm so happy we were able to visit. The cost is $20 per carload at the gate, which is very reasonable. The ranger also mentioned a national parks season pass is $35, so take that into consideration if you travel to other national parks.

Our first stop was overlooking the water and climbing up some paths along the shore. Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking! We then went to the Visitor's Center to see a great view of Coronado Island and the water below. We also took a short five minute hike up to see the lighthouse. It was open for viewing, so we visited the lighthouse keeper's home and went up the steep staircase to the top.

Absolutely worth the trip!
Written March 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GitchSup
Duluth, MN1,400 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Quite a beautiful National Park with views and history galore! Take the time to go to the visitor center for a map and some information before you head out. Right out of the visitor center you can see the ships on maneuvers just over the cliff edge, there is a poster about the various ships and boats you might see. The statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo is just a little bit further down the path and has more great views. If you continue up the hillside you will get to the old Point Loma lighthouse which you can walk around outside as well as inside. Remember it's a National Park so there will be a fee to get in unless you have a National Park pass.
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anantha
Cheshire, CT219 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021 • Family
Beautiful setting. The monument and the backdrop is splendid. There are exhibits which talks about Cabrillo. Very close to the Cabrillo monument is a small lighthouse which is very picturesque. Recommended to be here early in the day as later cars get backed up at the entrance where u pay fee (which is valid for 7 days).
Written January 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Katherine M
Houston, TX115 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
This national monument and museum are a great way to learn about the first discovery of California by the Spanish. It also discusses the native Americans who lived here first and how they influenced the Spanish settlers. Sadly, many died from disease after the "white man" came.

The views are fabulous. Take your binoculars so that you can identify any Navy ships that are coming into port or going out to sea. Enjoy the various trails around the monument and take in a good long look at the Rosencrans National Cemetery. Sobering to see so many lives lost in senseless wars.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

75Bruin
Huntington Beach, CA50 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Couples
My family has visited the Cabrillo Nat’l Monument several times over the years. This was by far the worst visit.
The entrance fee is now $20 and for that we were treated to an exhibit display room that was closed and the auditorium that shows a wonderful film about the monument was being used for training. Like everything else the government touches these days, it sucked.
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ian B
Silver Spring, MD194 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Although it can get very busy on weekend and holiday periods, this is great stop to see the best views of the city and learn the early history of the area. Be sure to run up to the lighthouse and see how a family used to run and see their living area. On a clear day run your eyes south down the coast and you can spot Tijuana, Mexico. Trails lead down to the coast if you want to hike a bit. Parking is easy and close by. If you have a national parks pass you can use it for free entry, otherwise it's currently $20 for a car.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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