Do you want to be on top of the world? Not exactly, but almost the same feeling is felt when you will stand beside the Cabrillo National Monument. On one side you can enjoy the splendid view of the San Diego Bay and on the other the grandeur of the Pacific Ocean.

The national park situated on the southern-most end of the Point Loma is surrounded by the Pacific on the west, the city on the north and the bay on east. It is a paradise for one who seeks solitude and inward reflection.

You can enjoy a bird's eye-view of the harbor and the city from the monument. There are numerous highlights of the park, which will leave you enchanted after the tour.

The Cabrillo National Monument Nature Center has a small theater that displays films related to the history of the park.

The monument is also popular for its hiking and tide pool activities. In addition to the monument, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse is also very famous. You can find your way inside this lighthouse, to the well-maintained living quarters of the lighthouse keeper, in the same touch as it used to be in the 1880s. From the lighthouse a foot-path takes a a beautiful pathway towards the ocean.

One can enjoy the breathtaking views of North Island, Coronado, the Bridge and even Mexico.

The Bayside Trail is a great place for hiking enthusiasts. It descends across the San Diego Bay on the eastern slope and then turns back.

You can catch the Point Loma Tide Pools on low tide and enjoy a nice time outside.

Erected on a high hilltop, the Cabrillo National Monument offers a spectacular view of the San Diego Bay as well as the Pacific Ocean. Boasting the quiet location and splendid vista, the Cabrillo National Monument is really a wonderful venue for contemplation and solitude. However, it is also a one of a kind destination for thrill seekers. Just imagine how amazing it would be if you can climb along the layered sandstone cliffs while immersing yourself into the breathtaking scenery.

The Cabrillo National Monument was established to commemorate the great explorer - Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who was the first European visiting the west coast of the United States and landing at the San Diego Bay in 1542. Sitting on the west side of the San Diego Bay, the Cabrillo National Monument becomes a popular tourist attraction due to its fantastic city views, various hiking trails and world-famous tide pools.

At the Cabrillo National Monument, you can even catch a view of a couple of the best tide pools in California. These prolific tide pools showcase a large number of sea creatures, like octopus, keyhole limpets and hermit crabs, etc. If you happen to have a strong interest in sea creatures, then the Cabrillo National Monument would be a must visit for you.

Home Page of the Cabrillo National Monument

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

More about Tide Pools at the Cabrillo National Monument

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

A trip to the Cabrillo National Monument would be definitely a wonderful experience for any visitor to remember for many years. As the main feature of this terrific tourist destination, the tide pools at the Cabrillo National Monument are worth your visiting for sure. Well, if you are still in doubt, let's take a look at what these tide pools have to offer you.

What can you see in these tide pools? Tide pools form along the shore during periods of low tide. These tide pools are undoubtedly fabulous discovery zones for people to get a better understanding of marine life, since an abundance of sea creatures can be found in these pools, from flowery anemones to sea cucumbers. Baby lobsters, sea hares and sea stars can also be seen inside the tide pools. If you look very closely, you can even spot sea urchins, spongy deadman's fingers as well as many other creatures.

What are the best dates and times to access the tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument? Since you can only catch a view of the tide pools during low tide periods, the best time for you to take a trip to enjoy a splendid view of a large number of tide pools at the shore would be late fall and winter. From late full to winter, good negative low tides at the Cabrillo National Monument would be very common during convenient daylight hours when the park is open.

To learn more about the very best time for tidepooling at the Cabrillo National Monument, you can visit the following page. Both the best time for optimum viewing and reasons why you should visit this national park during these periods are offered.

The Best Time for Tidepooling

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/naturescience/low-tide-best-dates-and-times.htm

Anything else you need to know before your visit to the Cabrillo National Monument? Remember that your destination is an ocean tidal area. That is to say, chances are extremely good that you'll get wet during observing the tide pools at the shore. Therefore, it is kind of necessary for you to bring an extra change of clothes. Plus, it is best for you to wear shoes with great traction if you are going to climb up and down the cliffs, because the rock areas at the Cabrillo National Monument would be pretty slippery with water and algae.

Your Cabrillo National Monument would never be complete without a visit to the Point Loma Tide Pools - the largest and most prolific tide pools in San Diego area. It is widely considered as one of the great natural wonders, owing to its entirely natural habitat for a great deal of marine life. So during your trip, be sure to pay a visit to the award-winning Point Loma Tide Pools and feast your eyes on a myriad of lovely sea creatures.

For any visitors coming to the Cabrillo National Monument for tidepooling, there are a series of rules to abide by. This national park is patrolled by park rangers or volunteers to enforce all kinds of park regulations. Since the tide pools are very delicate and fragile ecosystems with plenty of critters that might be killed when handled or touched by human beings, visitors will not be allowed to touch any of the sea creatures inside the Cabrillo National Monument during visit.

Additionally, there are still lots of things you need to pay special attention to when you visit tide pools at the Cabrillo National Monument. For more useful tips that would help you achieve a successful and enjoyable trip, you should visit the official website of the park.

Tips for Tidepooling at the Cabrillo National Monument

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/naturescience/tidepooling-tips.htm

Cabrillo National Monument is a sandstone monument which is about 14 feet tall. It was built to memorize the landing of first European expedition on West Coast of the United States. On September 28, 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese explorer, set foot on the San Diego Bay. Thus a heroic statue of Cabrillo was built overlooking the San Diego Bay. Today Cabrillo National Monument, along with all historical units of the National Park Service, has been included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Seated at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, Cabrillo National Monument offers a breathtaking view of the spectacular harbor and skyline of San Diego. Mexico's Coronado Islands, Pacific Ocean and Tijuana are gleamingly visible. Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which has become a San Diego icon since 1854, is the peak point in the park. Besides, the monument is encompassed by various former military installations as a reminder of the military history at Point Loma.

To gain a panoramic view of Cabrillo National Monument, please browse through its homepage at:

Homepage

http://www.nps.gov/cabr

About Cabrillo National Monument

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabrillo_National_Monument

Apart from its historic and architecture significance, Cabrillo National Monument is home to a wealth of cultural and natural resources. Now you're plotting a voyage of discovery at Cabrillo National Monument? The tour will take you through diverse historic areas of Point Loma peninsula.

Cabrillo National Monument is situated at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, west of downtown San Diego. Point Loma, a seaside community of San Diego, separates San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Loma means hill in Spanish, describing the hilly topography of the region. Point Loma is bordered by Pacific Ocean on the west and south, San Diego Bay on the east and San Diego River on the north. Cabrillo National Monument can be easily located on Google maps:

Cabrillo National Monument on Google Maps

http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=Cabrillo+National+%Monument

To familiarize the park features and locations, you're suggested to download a map of the park as well as a map of the surrounding area. PDF links of both maps can be found by clicking the following link:

Park Map & Area Map

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

On your way to Cabrillo National Monument, you have to pass through the Catalina Boulevard (also known as Cabrillo Memorial Drive), which is San Diego's 59-mile Scenic Drive. And you can appreciate the stunning views of the city and ocean all the way. Cabrillo National Monument is at the far end of Catalina Boulevard. Please refer to the following directions if necessary:

From Downtown San Diego

- Drive past the airport by taking the Harbor Drive

- Make a left turn onto Rosecrans Street

- Bear right onto Canon Street

- Make another left turn onto Catalina Blvd.

- Follow Catalina Blvd. to the end

From Interstate 5 Northbound

- Exit the Hawthorne Street

- Take Hawthorne Street to the bay

- Make a right turn onto Harbor Drive

- Drive past the airport

- Bear left onto Rosecrans Street

- Make a right turn onto Canon Street

- Bear left onto Catalina Blvd.

- Follow Catalina Blvd. to the end

From Interstate 5 Southbound

- Exit the Highway 209

- Follow Highway 209 into Point Loma

- Make a right turn onto Canon Street

- Bear left onto Catalina Blvd.

- Follow Catalina Blvd. to the end

From Interstate 8 Westbound

- - Exit the Highway 209

- Follow Highway 209 into Point Loma

- Make a right turn onto Canon Street

- Bear left onto Catalina Blvd.

- Follow Catalina Blvd. to the end

Or you can refer to the direction provided on its official site:

Directions

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

Your options for wedding venues are virtually endless in a city like San Diego. Yet costs of most indoor venues might go beyond your budget. As a matter of truth, we don't have to break our bank to celebrate our new life. Cabrillo National Monument, named after a 16th century explorer, is bound to offer you an unique yet budget-friendly wedding ceremony which others will talk about for years to come.

As a natural oasis in the seventh largest metropolitan area of the country, Cabrillo National Monument is blessed with a variety of cultural and natural resources, marvelous landscapes, historic heritages and the panoramic vista of San Diego's harbor and skyline. Cabrillo National Monument, as well as a statue of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, was built to commemorate this great Portuguese explorer who is the first European set foot on the West Coats of United States. To learn more about Cabrillo National Monument, please download this brochure:

Cabrillo National Monument Brochure

http://www.npca.org/stateoftheparks/mediterranean_biome/biome-cabr.pdf

Strung with lush green, the miles of rolling hills encompassing Cabrillo National Monument make a terrific backdrop for your special day. No wonder that so may couples have said "I DO" and made their lifetime commitment there. Would you like to say yes to this scenic venue?

When it comes to ceremony sites, Cabrillo National Monument only lends out the Bluff Event Site. That is to say, Bluff Event Site is the exclusive site for wedding. It is a beautiful and scenic location which looks incredible on photos. You're suggested to come to the site in person for a previous visit. Bluff Event Site can accommodate a maximum of 100 people. And Receptions are not permitted within Cabrillo National Monument. See how the site looks like in front of the camera:

Wedding Photos

http://joshuawalkerphotography.wordpress.com/tag/cabrillo-national-monument/

Impressive, huh? It's certainly not difficult to understand why Cabrillo National Monument has become a sought-after outdoor wedding venue. There are a few things you need to know before scheduling a wedding there.

1) Cabrillo National Monument wedding is partially at the mercy of Mother Nature. In case of bad weather, there will be no alternate location for your ceremony. Please be aware of that.

2) In consideration of the natural terrain there, carpet runners, pianos, podiums, arches, trellises, and other set-ups are not allowed. Chairs can be brought if there are guests who must sit down during the ceremony.

3) The ceremony should not last longer than 90 minutes. The park will be closed before 4:45 PM from Memorial Day through Labor Day and before 3:45 PM for the rest days of the year. Try to plan your time!

4) Only non-amplified music such as harps, guitars, flutes and etc. is allowed to play. Please give up public address systems or any amplified music.

5) Flowers, rice, birdseed are permitted. Yet don't throw or leave them in the park. It's you responsible to tidy up the ceremony site.

6) The permit fee, which costs $75, is non-refundable. Yet you can change the time and date for your wedding as long as it doesn't conflict with other weddings.

To download a Wedding Permit Application or learn more about wedding venue policies, please contact Laura Congdon at (619) 523-4576 or visit:

Cabrillo National Monument Wedding

www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/weddings-at-the-park.htm

The Cabrillo National Monument is a spectacular place from where you can get a lovely view of the entire city of San Diego. Book your hotels San Diego California for a spectacular travel experience.

What to expect at the Cabrillo National Monument?

As you take a long drive to the Cabrillo National Monument you will love to see the scenic beauty of the place around. This is also referred to as the Point Loma peninsula and has quite an interesting history. This place had been occupied from almost 7,000 years back. In the year 1979 the Spanish went around to construct Fort Guijarros on the eastern part of the peninsula. Today it has become an exceptionally famous place with plenty of attractions.

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

When does the Cabrillo National Monument stay open?

The Cabrillo National Monument is open the entire year long including holidays as well as weekends. The place opens at 9 a.m. and stays open till 5p.m. in the evening. It is important that the gate of the Cabrillo National Monument closes at around 4.45 p.m. so all the visitors need to make an exit by 5 p.m.

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm

How to contact them?

By Mail

Cabrillo National Monument

1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive

San Diego, CA 92106-3601

By Phone

(619) 557-5450

By Fax

(619) 226-6311

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

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