Cabrillo National Monument - Activities

The Visitor Center is a good place to start. The "Age of Exploration" exhibit, films, and ranger-guided programs present interesting insights into the history of Cabrillo. A short walk leads to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. This picturesque structure is restored to its 1880s appearance and presents life as it was for the lightkeepers and their families. In the adjacent Assistant Keeper"s Quarters, interactive exhibits tell the story of the Lighthouses of Point Loma and, in a nearby historic military building, the exhibit “They Stood the Watch” presents the history of Fort Rosecrans.

A self-guided two-mile walk through a coastal sage scrub forest begins near the Lighthouse. This trail is particularly pleasant during the spring when wildflowers bloom and offers views of the harbor and city of San Diego.

A little south of the lighthouse is the Whale Overlook. This vantage point offers pleasant views of the Pacific Ocean and the New Point Loma Lighthouse. Whales are often seen from here in January and February.

On the west side of the park, accessible by car only, is a beautiful coastal area. Birding is popular year round, and during extreme low tides visitors enjoy exploring the intertidal zone. The best low tides typically occur during the winter months, in the afternoon, during new and full moon events