Cabrillo National Monument - Plan Your Visit

Cabrillo National Monument by National Parks Service

Operating Hours Seasons

Daily: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Winter and spring are especially good times to visit the park. The annual migration of gray whales occurs December through February. November through March is generally the best time to explore the parks rocky intertidal (tidepool) area. The coastal sage scrub is usually at peak bloom between February through April. Air visibility tends to be clearest in the winter, and visitors to Cabrillo National Monument often discover spectacular views of San Diego Bay and downtown, Mexico, and the surrounding ocean during this time.

Getting There

Plane

San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field) serves the area, and is within sight of the Monument. Major car rental agencies are available near the Airport and in San Diego.

Car

From Interstate Highways I-5 South or I-8 West, take the Rosecrans exit (also known as State Highway 209). Stay on Rosecrans into Point Loma to Canon Street; turn right onto Canon. Take a left onto Catalina and follow it to the end.

From Interstate Highway I-5 North, take the Airport Exit (also known as Hawthorne Street). Follow Hawthorne towards San Diego Bay. Take a right onto Harbor Drive. Stay on Harbor Drive past the Airport to Rosecrans; take a left onto Rosecrans. Stay on Rosecrans to Canon Street; turn right onto Canon. Take a left onto Catalina and follow it to the end.

Bus

San Diego Transit's route 26 comes to the park. Contact them at www.sdcommute.com or at (619) 238-0100.

Public Transportation

Taxicabs and local tour companies serve the park.

Getting Around

Exploration of the park is limited to designated trails in order to minimize erosion and to protect the dry coastal sage scrub plants from trampling. Cliff edges are extremely unstable and may collapse, causing serious injury to visitors exploring off-trail areas. The intertidal areas are slippery and falls are frequent. Please remember that a car is necessary to drive to the tidepool area. Rattlesnakes are frequently seen in the Monument, especially on warm, sunny days.