What’s New?
Cabrillo National Monument Foundation sends quarterly newsletters, event announcements, and other park related information to its members and donors and friends. This section provides you more in-depth knowledge of specific topics or an extension of information from the newsletters, events, or news.
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Press Inquiries: emily@cnmf.org
The Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center: From Mission 66 Construction to Modern Restoration
Discover the history of the Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center from its 1960s, Mission 66 origins, to its 2023 restoration. Perched above the Pacific Ocean, this mid-century landmark reflects the National Park Service’s vision of innovation, education, and connection. Explore how its design, construction, and recent renewal continue to tell the story of preservation and legacy at San Diego’s only national park.
Tracking Fog and Preserving Native Flora with Cabrillo National Monument Science Technician and Invasive Plant Manager, Virginia Javier
Before the sun burns through San Diego’s morning haze, Cabrillo National Monument is enveloped in fog--a lifeline for the peninsula’s plants during dry, hot summers. Unlike rain, fog arrives quietly, drifting inland in patterns that shape the park’s microclimates. Read on to discover how this covert water source has become a cornerstone of Cabrillo’s habitat restoration program and a defining thread in the career of Virginia Javier, Science Technician and Invasive Plant Manager at Cabrillo National Monument.
Cabrillo National Monument Foundation Receives $50,000 Grant from the National Park Foundation
We are thrilled to share that Cabrillo National Monument Foundation has received a $50,000 grant from the National Park Foundation as part of the Collective Campaign for National Parks.
While national parks continue to face and adapt to changes, park partner organizations like ours are stepping up to help more. This one-time, flexible grant will help us increase and strengthen our fundraising capabilities, address current challenges, and build for the future.
Discover how this grant strengthens our impact—and how you can help keep this momentum going for San Diego’s national park.
Running with Purpose: AFC Half and Cabrillo National Monument Foundation
Every August, thousands of runners begin their 13.1-mile journey at Cabrillo National Monument—but this race is about more than scenic views. Thanks to a long-standing partnership with In Motion Events, the AFC Half Marathon & 5K helps support science education, habitat restoration, and the preservation of San Diego’s only national park. When you run with purpose, you help protect the place where it all begins.
A Young Voice for Public Lands: Point Loma Student Wins National C-SPAN Film Award with National Parks Documentary
Last week, Daniel Steinhauer--an 8th-grade student at Correia Middle School in Point Loma—was awarded an Honorable Mention in the prestigious 2025 C-SPAN StudentCam competition, a national contest that challenges middle and high school students to create original short documentaries on issues that affect their communities and our nation.
Selected from nearly 1,700 entries nationwide, Daniel’s short documentary, “Preservation of Our National Parks,” is a thoughtful and urgent call to action for the future of public lands. Through compelling storytelling and interviews with National Park Service staff and volunteers, Daniel sheds light on the very real challenges facing national parks today—and the need for stronger support, funding, and education to protect these treasured spaces for generations to come.
Your Spring Birding Guide: 5 Birds to Spot at Cabrillo National Monument
Spring is one of the peak times for birdwatching at Cabrillo National Monument. Every year, millions of migratory birds pass through this vital stopover site, using the park’s unique mix of coastal sage scrub, rocky shorelines, and open skies to rest and refuel. The park is also home to numerous resident bird species, some of which become more vocal and active in the springtime. In this guide, you’ll discover five birds to look for this season—plus tips on when to visit, what to bring, and where to spot everything from warblers to raptors. Whether you're a longtime birder or just starting out, this spring birding guide will help you experience the beauty and biodiversity of Cabrillo like never before.
Tidepools Under Pressure: How TPERP Volunteers Protect, Educate, and Restore Cabrillo National Monument’s Intertidal Zone
When visitors descend to the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument, they step into one of the park’s most extraordinary and fragile ecosystems. Cabrillo’s intertidal zone draws upward of 350,000 visitors every year, but with popularity comes real impact. That’s where TPERP comes in—for nearly 30 years, this team of dedicated volunteers has been on the front lines of tidepool protection, education, and restoration. Read on to learn more about their work, and how you support TPERP as a CNMF donor.
Restoring Habitats and Protecting Biodiversity: A Look Inside the Native Plant Greenhouse at Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument is a living ecosystem shaped by conservation efforts, scientific research, and passionate individuals dedicated to protecting its precious biodiversity. One of the most vital restoration efforts happens behind the scenes at the Native Plant Greenhouse, where park staff, interns, and volunteers work tirelessly to grow and reintroduce hundreds of native species throughout the park. Take a look inside the greenhouse, and learn more about how CNMF supports vital conservation projects at the Cabrillo National Monument.