Ballast Point
Bayside Trail - Trailhead
- This Bayside Trail is a 1.86 mile round-trip hike that takes you on a scenic journey through the natural landscape that overlooks San Diego.
Bird Watching at Cabrillo
Breezeway Sign at Tidepool Trailer
Breezeway and Traffic Circle
Chaparral View Between Coastal Trail Staircases
Coast Defense Exhibit
- This historic radio station houses an exhibit about the World War II coastal defenses of San Diego.
Coastal Trail (North Trailhead)
- The coastal trail at Cabrillo National Monument is a short one-mile round trip hike ranging from easy to moderate difficulty due to a few steep slopes. You can find this trail on the west side of the peninsula, which leads to the tidepool access area. This trail can be started from the entrances at Lot 1 or Lot 2 off of Gatchell Rd. Take Cabrillo Rd. from the main entrance of the park to Gatchell and park at either lot.
Coastal Trail (South Trailhead)
- The coastal trail at Cabrillo National Monument is a short one-mile round trip hike ranging from easy to moderate difficulty due to a few steep slopes. You can find this trail on the west side of the peninsula, which leads to the tidepool access area. This trail can be started from the entrances at Lot 1 or Lot 2 off of Gatchell Rd. Take Cabrillo Rd. from the main entrance of the park to Gatchell and park at either lot.
Coastal Trail Southern Clearing View
Coastal Trail View of Shaw’s Agave Patch
Coastal Trail View of the Kelp Forest
Event Bluff
Fire Control Station (Battery Ashburn)
- The Fire Control Station bunker for Battery Ashburn preserves a piece of San Diego's World War II history. Visit during an "open bunker" session to explore the inside of the bunker and learn about San Diego's coastal defenses.
Fire Control Station (Battery Humphreys)
- The Fire Control Station for Battery Humphreys features an upper bunker for the battery commander an lower observation bunker. These two combined were used as part of a complex designed to aim and fire the two 6-inch coastal defense guns of Battery Humphreys.
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo Statue
- This statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo Cabrillo commemorates his voyage of exploration. He was the first European to lead an expedition charting the west coast of what would become the United States of America.
Kelp Forest and Whale Overlook
- The Kelp Forest and Whale Overlook provides sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and contains exhibits about coastal wildlife. It is also a good spot for Whale Watching during the gray whale migration season!
La Jolla Tidepools and The Children's Pool
Military Disappearing Searchlight
Mission Trails Regional Park
New Point Loma Lighthouse
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Assistant Keeper's Quarters
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Children's Bedroom
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Flagpole and Basement
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Front Entry
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Front Steps
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Grounds
- The Old Point Loma Lighthouse illuminated the San Diego coastline from 1855 to 1891. Today, the lighthouse grounds and its exhibits provide a window to the past.
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Kitchen
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Kitchen Garden
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Parlor
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Primary Bedroom
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Rain Catchment Basin
Old Point Loma Lighthouse Watch Room and Lantern Room
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Parking Lot 2
Spur Trail
Tidepool Wayside Display
Tidepools
- The rocky intertidal area, also known as the tidepools, is a favorite spot at Cabrillo National Monument. Each year over 200,000 people visit the tidepools, one of the best protected rocky intertidal areas in California. The best time to visit the tidepools is during the fall and winter months, when we get our great low tides during park hours. During spring and summer, the tide is usually covering the tidepools when the park is open.