How to Spend a Day at Cabrillo National Monument
Planning a visit to Cabrillo National Monument? From scenic overlooks and historic landmarks, to tidepools and coastal trails, San Diego’s national park offers a full day of exploration at the southern tip of Point Loma. Whether it is your first visit or a return to a favorite spot, this guide will help you make the most of a day spent at Cabrillo National Monument.
Stop #1: Start at the Entrance Station
Cabrillo National Monument Entrance Station. Photo credit: NPS / D.Wieder
Your day starts where every great national park adventure begins: the entrance station!
NPS entrance requirements apply; check the list of fees and passes here to make sure you’re prepared. In 2026, there are ten national park fee free days. Check the list here to see if your visit overlaps.
The park is transitioning to a cashless entrance station, so be sure to bring a debit or credit card.
Stop #2: Peruse the Visitor Center
Merchandise display in the Cabrillo Store.
After entering, park in the upper lot and head to the Visitor Center. This is the perfect first stop to get oriented, pick up a park map, and check the schedule for ranger-led programs before you begin exploring.
This is a great time to browse the Cabrillo Store for national park and San Diego-themed apparel, games, books, field guides, and other souvenirs! You can also shop the CNMF store online here.
The visitor center is also the place to begin your Junior Ranger adventure! At Cabrillo, visitors of all ages can earn their badge by completing a Junior Ranger booklet during their park visit. Just ask the volunteer at the Visitor Center desk to get started.
Stop #3: Explore the Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Next, follow the paved path up to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. This historic landmark offers a glimpse into what life was like on the tip of Point Loma in the 1800s. As you explore the lighthouse area, imagine what it may have been like for the lighthouse keeper and their family to live and work in this remote coastal setting.
Inside the ground floor of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Photo credit: NPS / A.Gossard
Be sure to also stop by the Kitchen Garden, a historic replica that shows the kinds of crops the lighthouse keeper’s family may have grown to help sustain themselves. Depending on the season, you may see root vegetables ready for harvest, flowering herbs, or rows of dark, leafy greens.
Stop #4: Hike the Oceanside Trail
Hikers on the Oceanside Trail
Next up, visitors looking to add a hike to their day can head to the Oceanside Trail.
This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail begins near the upper Whale Watch overlook, close to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and leads down toward Cabrillo’s intertidal zone.
Along the way, hikers can take in sweeping ocean views, spot native birds in the Coastal Sage Scrub, and pass by historic military bunkers.
The Oceanside Trail is rated as strenuous, so plan accordingly. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and sun protection, and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the trail safely.
Stop #5: Discover the Intertidal Zone
One of the highlights of visiting Cabrillo National Monument is exploring the intertidal zone. Protected by the National Park Service and TPERP (Tidepool Protection, Education, and Restoration Program), this area is full of natural beauty and opportunities to learn.
Visitors can explore the rocky coastline and observe the fascinating plants and animals that live between land and sea.
Visitor explores the Intertidal Zone at Cabrillo National Monument. Photo credit: Peggy Junker
Hear it From CNMF Executive Director, Emily Moore: How to Spend a Day at Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF) is the official philanthropic partner to Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego’s only National Park. With your help, we support programs and initiatives that preserve the rich cultural and natural treasures and enhance the visitor experience at Cabrillo National Monument. Join our work by becoming a monthly member to give-back all year, or make a one-time donation to support one of our ongoing projects that inspires you.