- Address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego 92106, USA
- Hours: Open daily 9am - 5pm
- Admission: US$5 per vehicle
Cabrillo National Monument Tours
On the southern tip of Point Loma, at the top of hill, you'll find Cabrillo National Monument. The spot is San Diego’s finest locale for history and fine views across the bay to San Diego's downtown. It's also the best place in San Diego to see the gray whale migration (January to March) from land. After a few minutes here, you may forget you’re in a major metropolitan area.
The visitors center at Cabrillo National Monument has an excellent presentation on Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s 1542 voyage up the California coast, plus good exhibits on the native inhabitants and the area’s natural history. Also here is the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which is appointed with late-19th century pieces, including lamps and picture frames hand-covered with hundreds of shells. On the ocean side, you can drive or walk down to the tide pools (at low tide) to look for anemones, starfish, crabs, and limpets.
Practical Info
Cabrillo National Monument is located southwest of downtown, on Point Loma, which juts out into the Pacific Ocean directly west of San Diego Bay. You can get here by car or take a bus from Old Town Transit Station. Plan to spend about 90 minutes here. Keep in mind that even on sunny days temperatures can be cool, so bring a jacket. The site has some great spots to have a picnic, so pack a basket, as there are no food options here.
Tours & Tickets
Private Full-Day Tour of the San Diego Coast
Experience the beach culture along this 29-mile, 7-hour tour of the most scenic beaches and attractions along the north county coastline of San Diego.
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: 7 hours (approx.)
San Diego Seal Tour
Is it a boat? Is it a bus? No - it's San Diego's original amphibious water and land adventure! Commonly known as a duck tour, the San Diego Seal Tour is a fun ... Read more
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: 90 minutes (approx.)
San Diego Two Hour Harbor Cruise and Sea Lion Adventure
San Diego Harbor may look a little different from the coastline that Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo encountered in 1542, but it is still a spectacular sight. On this ... Read more
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
Full Day Tour of San Diego Coast
Ride in comfort in our windowless 7-passenger van with captain chairs, USB ports, speakers and cup holders by every seat. Breathe in the fresh ocean air while ... Read more
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: 7 hours (approx.)
San Diego GoCar Tour
This cute little 2-passenger GoCar is easy to navigate and so much fun to drive, allowing you to see San Diego sights on your own schedule. You’re guided with ... Read more
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Private San Diego Sightseeing Tour
From the spectacular coastal views of the cliffs at Torrey Pines, gorgeous Balboa Park, to the expansive beaches in Coronado, it is easy to argue that San ... Read more
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
