National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument

West

About Cabrillo

In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. Cabrillo National Monument not only tells the story of this 16th-century exploration but also houses a wealth of cultural and natural resources. Join us and embark on your own Voyage of Exploration.

From the National Park Service.

Region: West
State: California
Designation: National Monument
Entrance fee: $20, private vehicle

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Cabrillo.

Entrance fees

$20 Private Vehicle Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.
$15 Motorcycle
$10 Per Person
$20 Non-commercial Groups

Hours

Cabriilo National Monument

Mon: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tue: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wed: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thu: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Fri: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sat: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sun: 9:00AM - 5:00PM

The park is open 365 days a year including holidays from 9 am until 5 pm. The Bayside Trail and the Oceanside Trail close at 4pm. The tidepools and the Coastal Trail close at 4:30pm.

Weather and when to go

Check the current weather from the National Weather Service at https://www.weather.gov/. San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round, with an average of 201 days above 70 °F (21 °C) and low rainfall (9–13 inches [230–330 mm] annually).

Getting there

FROM DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO Take Harbor Drive past the airport Turn left onto Rosecrans Street Turn right onto Canon Street Turn left onto Catalina Blvd. (also known as Cabrillo Memorial Drive) Follow Catalina Blvd. all the way to the end

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Phone: (619) 523-4285
Email: cabr_info@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/cabr

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Cabrillo

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Cabrillo

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Visit the Cabrillo Tidepools

Wildlife Watching · about 45 min · Reservation required

Learn about visiting the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument!
Oceanside Trail

Hiking · about 50 min

The Oceanside Trail significantly increases recreational opportunities by providing an entirely new trail that increases the park’s trail network by over 20% while also offering a…
Bayside Trail

Hiking · about 1.3 hours

Learn about what you can see and do while hiking the Bayside Trail at Cabrillo National Monument.
Coastal Trail

Hiking · about 40 min

Learn about hiking the Coastal Trail at Cabrillo National Monument!
Whale Watching at Cabrillo

Wildlife Watching · about 45 min

Learn about Whale Watching at Cabrillo National Monument!