Cabrillo National Monument

National monument San Diego, California, United States

What to expect

Cabrillo National Monument is a U.S. national monument located at the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula in San Diego, California. It commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542, the first European expedition to set foot on what later became the West Coast of the United States. The park offers a superb view of San Diego's harbor and skyline, as well as Coronado and Naval Air Station North Island. On clear days, a wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Tijuana, and Mexico's Coronado Islands are also visible. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse, a San Diego icon since 1855, is the highest point in the park and has been converted into a museum. The area encompassed by the national monument includes various former military installations and a small but beautiful stretch of rocky-intertidal coastline. Visitors can enjoy a quiet place to reflect and relax along the Bayside Trail, which features native coastal sage scrub habitat. In the winter, migrating gray whales can be seen off the coast

Plan your family visit to the Cabrillo National Monument with these blog insights 👇

5 Great Hikes Near San Diego

This family's experience:

Activities: We hiked here with our kids and walked from the parking lot up to the lighthouse. We also took the bayside trail, a two mile out and back with some steep hills

Highlights: The kids loved watching submarines, other ships and aircraft go to and from port ✨

3 Must Visit Tide Pools in San Diego

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the tide pools, also known as the rocky intertidal area, inside the national park

Highlights: No info on what they enjoyed ✨

18 Best Things To Do In San Diego With Kids

This family's experience:

Activities: We hiked to the top of the hill and saw the beautiful views from the lighthouse

Highlights: The kids loved learning about the history of the lighthouse, and the views from the top of the hill were amazing ✨

The Best 3 Day San Diego Itinerary with Kids

This family's experience:

Activities: We started out at the monument. We enjoyed the stunning views of the water, fascinating history, and made time to visit the tide pools

Highlights: The kids loved exploring the tide pools. They also enjoyed learning about the history of the monument ✨

Insider tips for San Diego's Top 5 Family Attractions

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited Cabrillo National Monument, which includes the Point Loma Lighthouse and tide pools

Highlights: The kids loved exploring the tide pools and learning about the history of the lighthouse ✨

San Diego with Kids: How to Plan Your Perfect Getaway

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited Cabrillo National Monument to see the Point Loma Tide Pools

Highlights: The views are stunning while kids will love discovering critters in the tide pools ✨

Cabrillo National Monument with kids

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the park and explored its various attractions, including the tide pools, the visitor's center, and the old lighthouse

Highlights: The kids enjoyed the tide pools, climbing on the rocks, and spotting marine animals, while we enjoyed the panoramic views and learning about the park's history ✨