Cabrillo National Monument
Embark on a Voyage of Exploration
Review by Gretchen Schomer Wendel
“The road into the park is one-of-a-kind, the views by the old lighthouse and monument of Cabrillo are unbelievable and the grounds are immaculate.”
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
There are numerous roads leading into Cabrillo National Monument and Park. Ultimately you end up on Catalina Drive which turns into Cabrillo Memorial Drive. You will drive through Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery which is breathtaking. Rows and rows, over 100,000, of white peaceful memorials, mark fallen service members. It makes you proud of our military. The ocean is on either side as you wind your way to the Southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula. Parking can be challenging on weekends so it’s best to go early or take the first spot you encounter.
Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo at the San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542. This event marked the first time a European expedition had set foot on what later became the West Coast of the United States. The site was designated as a California Historical Landmark in 1932.
Walking up to the monument the park offers views that are expansive! They encompass the San Diego harbor and skyline as well as Coronado. If you are lucky enough to be there on a clear day you will be delighted with a wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean – you might be able to see Mexico. There are plenty of places to take pictures and many easy paths around the old lighthouse (which is now a museum.) There is now a new functional lighthouse at a lower elevation. The museum (old) lighthouse sits on the highest point and was closed because the fog and low clouds often obscured the light from shining and warning ships and boats. The museum lighthouse is open 9am-5pm and visitors may enter the lighthouse and view parts of the living quarters.
There is so much history surrounding the monument. I would encourage you to spend at least an hour reading all about the former military installations. The history is fascinating. The monument of Cabrillo is definitely a masterpiece by itself. In 1939 the Portuguese government commissioned a heroic statue of Cabrillo and donated it to the United States. The sandstone statue, executed by sculptor Alcaro de Bree is 14 feet tall and weighs 14,000 pounds. The statue was intended for the Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco but arrived too late and was stored in an Oakland, CA garage. Then-State Senator Ed Fletcher managed to obtain the statue in 1940 over the objections of Bay Area officials and shipped it to San Diego. It was stored for several years on the grounds of the Naval Training Center in San Diego, out of public view, and was finally installed at Cabrillo Monument in 1949. The sandstone statue suffered severe weathering because of its exposed position and was replaced in 1988 by a replica made of limestone.
We did not have time for the tide pools but if you prepare for the tidepool portion of this National park it will be incredible. This information about the tide pools was taken off of the National Park Website:
The following information will help you prepare for your visit to the Tidepools:
Please note that a vehicle is required to get to the lower area of the park where the tidepools are located; once parked, it’s a short walk and scramble down into the tidepools. Please be aware that cell phone service is not available at the tidepools. If you use a driver for hire for transportation, make arrangements to pick you up at a certain time and location. Otherwise you will not be able to reach anyone, and you may have to hike up the road to the top of the park. Please plan appropriate clothing and footwear. Shoes with good gripping soles are best, as rocky areas become slippery with water and algae. Please keep small children close – a child’s enthusiasm and excitement over being in this natural wonderland can quickly translate into a slip or tumble. Please keep in mind that the tidepool area closes at 4:30 p.m.
One of the best features of this National Park is that is easily accessible for all ages. I was able to bring my Dad (age 75) and Mom (age 70) and my nine year old along with my teenagers. Everyone moved around just fine and everyone loved the National Park. If you live or are visiting San Diego this is a site you should not miss. The road into the park is one of a kind, the views by the old lighthouse and monument of Cabrillo are unbelievable and the grounds are immaculate. It’s a National Park you will never forget!
