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Cabrillo National Monument
Photo of Cabrillo National Monument courtesy NPS

On September 28, 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo landed at San Diego Bay. This event marked the first time that a European expedition had set foot on what later became the west coast of the United States. His accomplishments were memorialized on October 14, 1913 with the establishment of Cabrillo National Monument.

The park offers a superb view of San Diego's harbor and skyline. At the highest point of the park stands the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which has been a San Diego icon since 1854. A statue and museum in the Visitor Center commemorate Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo's exploration of the coast of California. In a former army building an exhibit tells the story of the coast artillery on Point Loma. In the winter, migrating gray whales can be seen off the coast. Native coastal sage scrub habitat along the Bayside Trail offers a quiet place to reflect and relax. On the west side of the park is a small but beautiful stretch of rocky-intertidal coastline.

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Facilities available at Cabrillo National Monument:



Cabrillo National Monument website
Recreation Area Map
Park Email: CABR_Administration@nps.gov

Phone numbers
Headquarters 619-557-5450
Visitor Information (TTY) 619-222-8211

Address
Superintendent Terry DiMattio,
Cabrillo National Monument , 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive,
San Diego, CA 92106-3601