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Cabrillo National Monument & Point Loma Lighthouse

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Whatsline
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4 out of 5
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Cabrillo National Monument & Point Loma Lighthouse

  • November 23, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Asia Traveler from Onalaska, Wisconsin
Cabrillo National Monument & Point Loma Lighthouse

Point Loma is an easy drive from downtown San Diego and offers a relaxing and beautiful side trip. Cabrillo National Monument (its official name) is a National Monument run by the National Park Service and has a $5 per vehicle entrance fee. However, the beautiful blue ocean/sky views plus the relaxing setting are well worth it.

Aside from the gorgeous views, the main highlight at Point Loma is the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which guided sailors safely in from 1855 to 1891. It was of particular interest to us, as my husband's great-great-great-grandfather, Robert Israel was the last lighthouse keeper at the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. However, even without the family connection, the historical displays were interesting and informative.

The inside of the lighthouse and assistant lighthouse keepers house are open for self-guided tours. They are kept in period style from the late 1800s. The thing we enjoyed the most was walking around the area enjoying the breezes and scenery.

From journal Exploring San Diego County

Editor Pick

Cabrillo National Monument

  • January 9, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Idler from Poolesville, Maryland
Cabrillo National Monument

On Christmas Day, we drive to Point Loma to Cabrillo National Monument, famous for its views of San Diego harbor. The park commemorates Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the Spanish explorer who first discovered the harbor at San Diego in 1542. Historians believe Cabrillo anchored his flagship, the San Salvador, on the eastern shore of Point Loma near Cabrillo National Monument. Although Cabrillo died later during the expedition, his crew continued to explore, possibly reaching as far north as Oregon.
The visitor center at the monument has films and exhibits on the expedition, as well as a heroic statue commemorating Cabrillo overlooking the bay.

Our main focus, however, is on the west side of the point, where a gently sloping walk leads down to tidal pools. Unfortunately, it is high tide, so our exploration of the tidal pools is confined to the rocky shore, where we poke about in heaps of flotsam and jetsam.

Jack stretches out on a conveniently slab-shaped rock and naps in the sunshine, while Greg pokes at kelp bladders, the boyish impulse to pop anything resembling a balloon ever present. I scan the horizon futilely for the migrating gray whales that pass Point Loma from late December through mid February each year, but lacking binoculars I see little other than whitecaps and sea birds. Simple pastimes are the order of the day. Nearby a family amuses themselves making a precariously balanced stone cairn, while others walk dogs and stroll about chatting, generally taking in the fine day and perhaps working up an appetite for Christmas dinners to come.

After spending time by the tidal pool, we make out way over to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Restored to an almost frighteningly pristine condition, this white sentinel stood watch over the entrance to San Diego bay from 1855 to 1891. Today, a boisterous group of Korean teenagers is taking turns photographing each other before the lighthouse’s front gate, while an amateur photographer fusses with his tripod nearby, no doubt waiting impatiently for a clear shot. I’m more intrigued by a footpath marking the start of a coastal hiking path, but I’m not wearing suitable shoes, so I content myself with the small loop that leads past the display of coastal defenses from WWI and II and across the narrow point to the views of San Diego bay.

From here, it’s easy to see why San Diego’s natural harbor is considered one of the finest in the world. Looking down into the harbor, I spot sailboats, Coast Guard cruisers, naval aircraft carriers, commercial ships, and the usual array of tourist craft, all testimony to the city’s rich nautical heritage. Even the fact that my camera battery chooses this time to inconveniently give up the ghost doesn’t spoil the heady sensation of standing high above the harbor, taking in the view that has captivated hundreds of thousands before me.

From journal Christmas in San Diego

Cabrillo Monument

  • May 27, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Whatsline from Warner Robins, Georgia
Cabrillo Monument

At the far end of San Diego, at the far end of Point Park, is the best view of the area. The Cabrillo National Monument is part of the National Park Service and is absolutely the best view of the area. I could sit up there for hours just watching the boats go by. You have full view of the sub station, the Navy base, and the city of San Diego. They have a small museum, a gift shop with really nice stuff in it and an "oh my!" view of the area.

There is plenty of room for kids to run around, but they probably won't appreciate the view and the history as much. If you have a National Park stamp book, you can get another stamp in it. Oh, and there is a monument. . .

From journal San Diego Safari

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