Cabrillo National Monument Offers a “Must See” Panoramic View of the San Diego Skyline

On the windswept tip of Point Loma is Cabrillo National Monument, which is the third most visited national monument in the United States. From this vantage point, 422 ft high above the ocean, you will be able to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of San Diego and beyond. On a clear day you can actually see the San Bernadino Mountains, over 100 miles away.

On a clear day you can see the Mount Palomar Observatory 50 miles away. Don’t leave San Diego without visiting this monument and seeing the incredible view. It’s just 20 scenic minutes from downtown, and the views of the city, bay and ocean are absolutely magnificent. You’ll also get a good perspective of San Diego’s ideal geographic location.

The best and least confusing way to get to the Cabrillo National Monument is to follow Rosecrans Street to Canon Street, turn right; go to Catalina Boulevard and veer left (see map). The monument is open daily 9am-5pm, they are closed on Christmas, and there is an entrance fee of ($20) per car, or ($10) for walk-ins and cyclists, and ($15) for motorcyclist and passenger. Senior Annual Pass ($20) ages 62 years and older. Additional passes and discounts may apply (619-523-4285).

Established programs like the Tide pool Education and Restoration Program (which opens at 9 a.m. daily and closes at 4:30pm daily) and the Artist in Residence Program fulfill our mission to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations and Call to Action set forth by the Director of the National Park Service. Admission includes both the tide pools and lighthouse/statue and information center. If the park is operating on day light savings time the tide pools close at &:30 p.m. or at sunset which ever is earlier.

Be sure to also visit the Tide Pools on the western side of Point Loma, along the rocky intertidal zone. A window into the ocean ecosystem that lies along of San Diego’s coast awaits you. During periods of low tide, pools form along this shore in rocky depressions. In them you may see flowery anemones, elusive octopi, spongy deadman’s fingers, and a myriad of other creatures. The tide pools are a wonderful discovery zone, but be careful if you visit. The intertidal area is a very sensitive ecosystem. Few animals in this ecosystem can harm humans, but many animals are sensitive, and can even be killed, when handled or just touched by humans.

On your way to or from the Cabrillo Monument, consider stopping by the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and it’s many veterans memorials. The USS Bennington monument is a tall granite obelisk dedicated to the men who lost their lives on that ship in San Diego Harbor on July 21, 1905. The monument was dedicated on Jan. 7, 1908. The Ommaney Bay CVE-79 monument is an etched granite memorial to the men lost in action when the ship was bombed in January 1945. The granite Taffy 3 monument was dedicated on Oct. 24, 1996, in memory of the men who died during the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines) and in subsequent battles of the Pacific. The granite USS Gambier Bay monument was dedicated on Oct. 25, 1996, in memory of the men who lost their lives during the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines) and in subsequent battles of the Pacific. Family members and survivors donated the monument.