Unveil the Beauty of Cabrillo National Monument and Bayside Trail

Loved this place! Cabrillo National Monument offers stunning ocean views and a mix of history and nature. There are three short trails to explore: 1. Bayside Trail – A scenic 2-mile round trip with views of San Diego Bay and the city skyline. 2. Coastal Trail – The only dog-friendly trail, starting at the Tide pools and featuring beautiful coastal scenery. A must-see, especially during low tide, where you can walk along the shores and explore marine life in the tide pools. 3. Oceanside Trail-This trail offers a car-free mode of access to the tidepool area, allowing visitors to hike with ocean views and reach the tidepools without walking along the narrow road shoulder. The visitors center provides panoramic views of Coronado Island and downtown San Diego, with informative exhibits about Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo's historic landing. There’s also the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, perfect for history buffs. Entry fee applies, but it’s free for annual National Park Pass holders. Plan to spend 2-3 hours here for a perfect mix of nature, history, and stunning views!

The place is so quiet ,relaxing and peaceful to recharge yourself from the hustle bustle of the city. The light house is beautiful, the landscapes around was really amazing...toilets were clean and they have a good engineering plans for that place. Parking area were perfect. PWD can access and the museum was awesome. The view is breathtaking! I love that place.

A beautiful spot for the views and the history. A wonderful visitor’s center with signs and lots of maps, and incredible views which is the best part of coming here. Watch the commercial planes coming and going, and the naval air field. On a clear day you can see well in to Mexico and the mountains off to the east. Great gift shop as well, and thanks to Leticia the science demonstration volunteer!

It’s an incredible spot to experience both nature and history. Located on the tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, it offers stunning panoramic views of San Diego’s coastline, the bay, and even Mexico on clear days. The combination of scenic beauty and historical significance makes it a unique place to visit. I enjoyed walking along the well-kept trails that lead to tide pools and scenic lookouts, where you can take in the ocean breeze and explore the marine life at low tide. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is also a highlight—it’s fascinating to learn about its history and get a sense of what life was like for the lighthouse keepers. For history enthusiasts, the visitor center has interesting exhibits about Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the first European to explore the West Coast. The park also features WWII bunkers and military history, adding even more depth to the experience. Overall, Cabrillo National Monument State Park is a must-visit for anyone looking to appreciate beautiful views, explore unique coastal trails, and learn a bit of California history. Perfect for a day trip!

Great spot for a history lesson and some amazing views of the San Diego bay. And if you love military aviation and ships, it's a great spot just to sit and observe the activity from above the bay.