Oceanside Trail

The Oceanside Trail is a 0.5-mile, out-and-back route connecting Cabrillo National Monument’s upper park area and Whale Watch Overlook with the lower shoreline and rocky intertidal zone.

Until April 2024, reaching the park’s lower coastal area and rocky intertidal zone from the upper monument meant either driving or walking along the road. During busy tidepool days, limited parking in the lower area also contributed to congestion. Working in partnership with the National Park Service, Cabrillo National Monument Foundation helped bring a long-envisioned solution to life. CNMF raised more than $400,000 in private philanthropic support to complete the Oceanside Trail, with generous support from the National Park Foundation, GRoW @ Annenberg, and our “Trailblazer” project donors.

The Oceanside Trail has significantly improved access, safety, and connectivity throughout the park. More than 350,000 people visit the tidepools each year, and the trail now provides a dedicated pedestrian route to one of Cabrillo’s most popular destinations—the rocky intertidal zone. In addition to expanding the park’s trail network by more than 20 percent, the trail helps reduce pressure on limited coastal parking, improves pedestrian safety, and creates more opportunities for visitors to hike, explore, and experience the park on foot.

We are deeply grateful to the National Park Foundation, Gregory Annenberg Weingarten GRoW @ Annenberg, Buzz and Helen Kinnaird, Hervey Family Fund, our “Trailblazer” project donors, and every partner and collaborator who helped make the Oceanside Trail possible.

Want to support trail maintenance at Cabrillo? Make a donation here, or contact CNMF Development Manager Peggy Junker at peggy@cnmf.org.

Press + Stories:

New trail at Cabrillo National Monument offers more tide pool access and west-facing views | San Diego Union Tribune

  • Cabrillo VIPs (Volunteers-in-Parks) begin native plant removal along the planned trail. Credit: Patricia Simpson

    Cabrillo VIPs (Volunteers-in-Parks) begin native plant removal along the planned trail. Credit: Patricia Simpson

  • NPS trail crew

    NPS trail crew

  • Oceanside Trail construction begins

    Oceanside Trail construction begins

  • In-Progress trail construction. Credit: Jodi Bailey

    In-Progress Oceanside Trail construction. Credit: Jodi Bailey

  • VIPs restore native plants along the Oceanside Trail. Credit: Patricia Simpson

    VIPs restore native plants along the Oceanside Trail. Credit: Patricia Simpson

  • Trail donor (Trailblazer) preview tour.

    Trail donor (Trailblazer) preview tour

  • Oceanside Trail ribbon cutting. Credit: National Park Foundation

    Oceanside Trail ribbon cutting. Credit: National Park Foundation

  • Inagural Oceanside Trail hiking group. Credit: Serge Dedina

    Inagural Oceanside Trail hiking group. Credit: Serge Dedina

 “I consider it a privilege to contribute to making the New Trail a reality. The New Trail will significantly expand hiking and viewing opportunities for the greater San Diego community and those who visit from around the world year-round.” 

- Pam Hamilton Lester, Trailblazer Donor

Explore other projects