Cabrillo National Monument not only tells the story of this 16th-century exploration but also houses a wealth of cultural and natural resources. Join us and embark on your own Voyage of Exploration.
Photo: NPS Photo / Dan Zeller
Cabrillo National Monument
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States.
- LocationSan Diego, CA
- Entrance $20 private vehicle
- HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
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Weather now84°F Sunny
- Alerts No active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Birds
- Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
- Coastal Defenses
- Explorers and Expeditions
- Lighthouses
- Maritime
- Maritime - Military
7 more topics
- Military
- Monuments and Memorials
- National Cemetery
- Oceans
- Scenic Views
- Ships and Shipwrecks
- Whales
Things to Do
15 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Watching
- Biking
- Birdwatching
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Bookstore and Park Store
- First Person Interpretation
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
- Historic Weapons Demonstration
- Living History
- Park Film
Show 3 more activities
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
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Visitor Center and View Building
Facility
The Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument is the perfect place to get oriented to the park. Rangers and volunteers are always available to answer questions and…
San Diego, CA (619) 523-4285 Directions
Details
The Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument is the perfect place to get oriented to the park. Rangers and volunteers are always available to answer questions and provide suggestions on what to do. Here you can: • Find the day’s schedule of auditorium programs and ranger talks • Get your National Parks Passport book stamped • Chat with a ranger • Pick up a Junior Ranger activity for kids • Find out when low tide is • Visit the park store • Many other things!
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Cabriilo National Monument
Hours details
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Cabriilo National MonumentDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
The park is open 365 days a year including holidays from 9 am until 5 pm. The Bayside Trail and the Oceanside Trail close at 4pm. The tidepools and the Coastal Trail close at 4:30pm.
Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Entrance fees
- $20Private Vehicle
- $15Motorcycle
- $10Per Person
All 8 fees & details
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Private Vehicle$20
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.
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Motorcycle$15
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
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Per Person$10
Admits one individual when entering by foot or bicycle. Groups of up to 4 people walking in or on bicycles are capped at $20 total. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.
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Commercial Entrance - Sedan$30
1 to 6 / ($30)
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Commercial Entrance - Van$45
7 to 25 / ($45)
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Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$45
7 to 25 / ($45)
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Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100
26 or more / ($100)
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Non-commercial Groups$20
Organized Non-Commercial Groups include church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc. Vehicles with a capacity of 16 or less are charged the $20.00 vehicle permit fee. Vehicles with 17 or more seats will instead be charged the $10 per person individual rate for any passengers that are not free. The total fee charged for an Organized Non-Commercial Group will not exceed $100 per vehicle.
Weather
84°F
Sunny · feels like 87°
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Today
84° 65°
Sunny8% rain
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Tomorrow
82° 73°
Sunny4% rain
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Saturday
90° 78°
Sunny1% rain
Updated 3 hr ago
WeatherExtreme Heat Watch Details
Extreme Heat Watch issued September 30 at 8:47PM PDT until October 7 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures on the
hottest days ranging from around 90 near the coast to the upper 90s
to around 105 for the valleys possible. Low temperatures for
coastal areas into the western valleys will warm into the lower to
mid 70s during the weekend with those warm overnight temperatures
continuing for next week.
* WHERE...Orange County Coastal Areas, Orange County Inland Areas,
San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire, San
Diego County Coastal Areas, San Diego County Valleys, and Santa Ana
Mountains and Foothills.
* WHEN...From Friday morning through Wednesday evening.
* IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during
extreme heat events.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A long-duration heat wave is expected to
develop late this week and continue through much of next week into
the following weekend with Moderate or greater HeatRisk for the
coast and valleys and Major to Extreme HeatRisk for inland coastal
areas into the western valleys.
WeatherExtreme Heat Warning Details
Extreme Heat Warning issued October 1 at 12:29AM PDT until October 8 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures ranging
from the mid 80s to lower 90s near the coast to the mid 90s to
around 100 for the mesas and other higher coastal terrain expected.
Nights will be very warm with low temperatures mostly in the lower
to mid 70s.
* WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas.
* WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 8 PM PDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during
extreme heat events.
WeatherExtreme Heat Warning Details
Extreme Heat Warning issued October 1 at 12:29AM PDT until October 8 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures in the
upper 90s to 106 expected. Nights will be very warm with low
temperatures mostly in the upper 60s to mid 70s.
* WHERE...San Diego County Valleys.
* WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 8 PM PDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during
extreme heat events.
What to expect by season
Check the current weather from the National Weather Service at https://www.weather.gov/. San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round, with an average of 201 days above 70 °F (21 °C) and low rainfall (9–13 inches [230–330 mm] annually).
Contact the park
Upcoming Events
4 coming up-
Guided Walking Tour of Cabrillo
About
Join a park volunteer for a one-hour walking tour of Cabrillo National Monument including the Cabrillo Statue and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This program is suitable for all ages. No reservations required. Meet in front of the Visitor Center and keep in mind that the walk includes a hill up to the lighthouse.
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Open Military Bunker
About
If conditions permit, volunteers will bring the coastal defenses of Point Loma to life. These are your only chances to tour the bunkers on Point Loma. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to learn more about the soldiers stationed at Fort Rosecrans during WWII and see the weapons and instruments that protected our coast during the tumultuous war years.
The bunker can't be opened if there is inclement weather. Check with the Visitor Center for the latest schedule.
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Open Tower Day
About
Imagine yourself as the first keeper when you make your way to the top of the lighthouse in celebration of the anniversary of the first time the light was lit!
On Open Tower Days, you can experience the lighthouse with a half-hour guided tour between 10:00am - 3:30pm. The guided tours are the only way to access the top tower of the lighthouse and will give participants a glimpse into life at this lighthouse station between 1855 - 1891. Tickets will be available on the day of the event, first come first serve. Please stop by the ticketing table near the lighthouse earlier in the day to ensure a ticket time. All participants must stop by the ticketing table to obtain ticket.
For those who do not wish to climb to the top tower, you will still be able to experience the kitchen of the lighthouse with historic interpreters. All activities are available at no additional cost to the entrance fee.
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Park Open - New Year's Day
About
Cabrillo will be open normal operating hours on New Year's Day.
Photos
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View looking over to Coronado from Cabrillo — NPS Photo / Mike Nelson
Getting There
San Diego, CA 92106
FROM DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO Take Harbor Drive past the airport Turn left onto Rosecrans Street Turn right onto Canon Street Turn left onto Catalina Blvd. (also known as Cabrillo Memorial Drive) Follow Catalina Blvd. all the way to the end
Mailing address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
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