Cabrillo National Monument Hours Information

Take a little history and make an exploration of the place where the first European explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first set foot in San Diego. This is the only national park or monument in American's Finest City - Cabrillo National Monument. Located at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula in San Diego, the park offers spectacular views of the San Diego area and great opportunities to explore both the natural and cultural history of the area.

Whether you are a nature lover or just a San Diego visitor, this is a place you really don't want to miss. Cabrillo National Monument is open 364 days a year (only closing on Christmas Day - December 25) during the operating hours of 9am through 5pm, so you can explore the park anytime of the year.

However, for visitors who are planning on an exploration to the park, it is advisable to visit the park during winter and spring. During winter, visitors would have excellent opportunities to watch the annual migration of gray whales. Although the peak of the migration is mid-January, the whales could be seen from mid-December to March. It's possible to see the whales anytime of the day, since they swim 24 hours a day. For more info about whale watching, visit this page:

Whale Watching

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/naturescience/whales.htm

November through March is also the best time to explore the park's rocky intertidal area, seated on the western side of Point Loma. At the time of low tide, tide pools would come into being along this shore in rocky depressions. These pools may boast flowery anemones, elusive octopi, spongy deadman's fingers and a myriad of other creatures. You can learn more about rocky intertidal area on this page:

Rocky Intertidal Area

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/naturescience/tidepools.htm

From February to April, the coastal sage scrub is generally at peak bloom. In addition, visitors to the park can often discover tremendous views of San Diego Bay and downtown, Mexico and the surrounding ocean during this time. To explore more things to do at the park, click here:

Things to Do at Cabrillo National Monument

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

Although Cabrillo National Monument is a relatively small in size, you will have a variety of choices of places to go once you arrive. The Visitor Center is just a good place to start your day at the park. There are rangers and volunteers to give visitors suggestions on what to do. Visitors can also get fun insights into the history of Cabrillo by watching films and shows and attending ranger-guided programs. These films and programs are scheduled on the hour, including:

- In Search of Cabrillo (Time: 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm; Length: 25 minutes)

- On the Edge of Land and Sea (Time: 11pm, 1pm & 3pm; Length: 20 minutes)

Please note from December 12 to April 1, the film "First Breath: Gray Whales" will be shown at 12pm and 3pm. The visitor center is closed on 5pm. For more info and details, check this page:

Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm

For park explorers, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse is also a must-visit place inside the Cabrillo National Monument. It is one of the original eight lighthouses on the West Coast, restored and redecorated to present what life was like in the 1800s. The hours of the lighthouse are the same as the park hours. To explore more info about Old Point Loma Lighthouse, visit this page:

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/historyculture/old-point-loma-lighthouse.htm

Note: For the safety and security concern, the entrance station is closed at 4:30pm and the main gate into the park is closed at 4:45pm. All visitors must exit the park by 5pm. Get a glimpse at the closing times of the following facilities at the park to make your trip hassle-free.

- Assistant Keepers Quarters Exhibit closing at 5pm

- Bayside Trails closing at 4pm

- Bookstore closing at 5pm

- Cabrillo and the Age of Exploration Exhibit closing at 5pm

- Military History Exhibit closing at 5pm

- Tidepools closing at 4:30pm