- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Cabrillo National Monument
Categories: Active Life Parks Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Parks, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr(at Cole Rd)
San Diego, CA 92106
Neighborhood: Point Loma
(619) 557-5450
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
189 reviews for Cabrillo National Monument
Review Highlights
"Love the tide pools and so fun for the family."
(in 58 reviews)
"Pretty darn gorgeous view on a bright and clear day."
(in 12 reviews)
"Up the hill from the visitor center is the Point Loma..."
(in 13 reviews)
Loading...
189 reviews in English
-
Review from Last A.
San Diego, CA
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Picture this - it's 1941. The Japanese have just bombed Pearl Harbor. The nation is anxious - but the most anxious parts of the nation are the West Coast. Are the Japanese going to get closer? Are they going to sail right into San Diego Harbor and set up shop downtown?
The answer: No. And, to prevent this from happening, the Government built a series of bunkers and artillery platforms off the Point that are still present today. If you want a great historical tour of this point in history, you can look around for these relics on your own (hint: take the bayline trail, or head over near the Western side); or look for local Army re-enactors that are at the park on some weekends (fall in, recruit!).
If this wasn't awesome enough for you, there's: a lighthouse that may or may not be haunted; tidepools that may or may not contain the kracken; and oh yeah, exhibits about Juan Cabrillo who sailed all the way down the coast and into SD back before there was an SD. Why not check it out? -
Review from Svetlana V.
San Diego, CA
1/21/2012
So worth visiting!
Nice views.
Try to fit as many ppl into one car as you can, as they charge entrance fee per car/bike.
They close early, around 5pm, so plan accordingly. -
Review from Danielle B.
San Diego, CA
1/18/2012
I've lived in SD for 6 years and I visited Cabrillo National Monument for the first time this week. I wish I had discovered it before now! The views of San Diego were amazing, it's so beautiful up there.
After visiting the welcome center, watching a short informative movie and touring the light house we made our way to the tide pools. Unfortunately it was high tide, so we didn't get too see many sea creatures but I can't wait to go back. It's a great way to spend a few hours. -
Review from Gail P.
San Diego, CA
1/16/2012 3 photos
Even on a chilly day, Cabrillo National Monument is the place to be. What beautiful views! What awesome scenery! Even if I didn't see any migrating gray whales, the white sailboats out in the bay are plenty scenic. Because of the Martin Luther King Jr. National holiday, the monument was free during this past weekend, so even the price is right.
It was nice to see carloads of moms and pops with the kiddies getting in some fresh air and a little bit of history and California culture. A container ship came by on it's way out to sea, and that was cool to watch too. I did see lots of bike riders making the trek out to the monument along Catalina Blvd., but it is a long ride and parts of it are hilly, so be prepared if you chose to two wheel it. Always bring a sweater or coat, because even on what you think are warm days, it is usually breezy and cool out at the tail end of Point Loma.
Taking a glance out from the peak of the Monument, you can almost imagine just how the Portuguese explorers came to realize the perfection of San Diego Bay's sheltered locale when they were discovering stuff back in the olden days. Also heart-rending, the white military tombstones that make up Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
I hate to admit to myself I take the lovely Cabrillo Monument for granted because it is not just another vapid San Diego tourist attraction but a wonderful place to visit (and appreciate) on any day. -
Review from David C.
Definitely must do in San Diego and one of my favorite views. Go during sunset in the winter and you can catch the sun going down and then the transition to a spectacular view of San Diego lighting up. When the tide is out the tide pools can be endless fun looking for small ocean creatures. Also be sure to check out the lighthouse from the 1800s and the visitor center to get your learn on. The $5 fee is a bit of a pain but you can use your pass for 7 days. The mystifying part is it cost $3 to walk over and $5 total for a carload of people. Be lazy and drive for sure!
-
Review from Jen S.
11/25/2011
One of my favorite spots in San Diego by far.
If you pay $5 to get in, your ticket is good for 7 days. Why would one want to come back a few times in a single week, you ask? There is a great running trail with steep hills that offers a good workout, and you get amazing views while getting your heart rate up. There are also some fun tide pools to explore, and walking trails along the sea.
So at the monument itself, there are amazing views of the city, and of the Naval airport. It is rather fun to watch the jets take off and land, and see the big ships passing by.
There is also a little museum up there that is great for kids in explaining the history of the area, and the local wildlife.
There is a lighthouse that you can explore and even climb to the top of (though you can't get near the lantern).
And there is a crow's nest in the cliff meant for defending the coast against the Japanese, should they have invaded California during WWII.
This place is truly relaxing, and I try to come here as often as I can.
Oh, and while driving in you pass a fairly large military cemetery. They filmed the opening and ending scene of 'Saving Private Ryan' there.Listed in: Top Places to take visitors to…
-
Review from Shy A.
What a great place! There are quite a few great places in San Diego to get a great view but I don't think there is one better than the view of downtown from Cabrillo National Monument. The drive there is a nice one, you enter through the base and quickly see the cemetery. Eerily beautiful and serene. You continue past the park gates and quickly to the right you can head down to the tide pools. On a clean day, low tide, you can walk straight down and get incredible sights of the marine life. Its an easy enough trek for anyone-just be careful of the slippery rocks and some loose soil. If you continue on the main road, you reach the monument and the lighthouse. I love the lighthouse...beautifully restored-you can absolutely feel the history here. Sweeping views of the ocean and a great breeze is all you can really ask for. I would suggest taking a snack if you plan on spending some time here-all they have is yucky vending machine items....I wouldn't say there is a ton to do here (they play a few movies and had a few "classes" and such) , but it is a fabulous place to take visitors or to even spend an hour or so just taking in how beautiful San Diego truly is. Family friendly and the park rangers were incredibly nice and helpful. Definitely worth a visit if you are in SD.
-
Review from Mary H.
Dana Point, CA
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Out of all the many attractions in San Diego this is by far my favorite. Came here as a kid when I lived in SD and returning here brings back so many wonderful memories. Take your families here and I'm sure they'll have fond memories and get nostalgic like me. The unspoiled vistas, the interactive tide pools, the preservation work on the lighthouse is all great fun and hiking along the trails is a must. I would get the all season pass for $15 if I lived closer but $5 parking you can't beat that for a fun filled day!
-
Review from Scott M.
Los Angeles, CA
11/15/2011
The Cabrillo National Monument is one of San Diego's most overlooked attractions and especially overlooked by San Diegans.
It is a very important site in the history of California and San Diego and the museum and rangers do a great job of laying out that importance.
Besides the monument, and the museum you also can see the Point Loma Lighthouse and the US Coast Guard base. There are good hikes available and you get stunning views of San Diego Bay, Downtown San Diego, Tijuana, NAS Coronado and more.
It is a great place to spend a few hours.
Take some flowers with you and place them on a grave at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on your way out or there.
http://www.cem.va.gov/... -
Review from Dmitriy S.
San Diego, CA
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cabrillo National Monument is really a gem hidden amongst a plethora of attractions that San Diego is widely known for. Most people think of Legoland, Sea World, Coronado Hotel, San Diego Zoo, etc. when planning a trip here, but somehow Cabrillo is almost always ignored. I never knew this place until my parents decided to visit and I was looking for something interesting for them to do.
Cabrillo is split up into two sections: the tidepools and the lighthouse. When I went, the tidepools weren't too interesting at all. Just little pools of water with a crab or two, but nothing else that is out of the ordinary. Maybe I just came at a bad time. They're great for the adventurous kids at heart who love climbing rocks and getting splashed by oncoming ocean waves. That's definitely one of the highlights for me. The rest is just eh.
The visitor center and lighthouse are the parts that keep me stunned. You're presented with a magnificent view of all of San Diego; one that can't be seen from anywhere but here. As an aviation buff, I love seeing all the planes land at NAS North Island.
Going up to the lighthouse isn't really worth it. You'll get a view of the entire peninsula but that's pretty much it. Nice hike, though. I think I'll but an annual pass and return here to do all the trails. A wonderful nature spot only a 15 min drive away from home. Pretty hard to find in our modern society. -
Review from Christine M.
San Diego, CA
10/27/2011
If you come here on a clear day, you get breathtaking views of the water and San Diego. They have a mini museums to learn about its history and you can also enter the area where the lighthouse is located.
The hike was nice for beginners, but not really made for avid hikers. The best part about it is the bench at the end of the hike where you can just chill and relax and take everything in- the sunshine, the breeze and reflection.
Down the hill towards the beachside is a tidepool that can get pretty crowded. It's interesting to explore and get your feet wet- super family friendly.
My husband and I ended the day sitting on top of the hidden bunker conversing for hours. With the view and the peaceful atmosphere it emotes, time truly flies by. A great way to to do a day-date.
But then again, it's just my opinion.. -
Review from Steffanie C.
New York, NY
12/3/2011 6 photos
OK for $5 you have HOURS of enjoyment. You have the tides pools, the monument, and the light house PLUS you have trails you can go hiking on. Come for a beautiful sunset or come watch the gray whales passing in the beautiful Pacific ocean. It's AMAZING. And the pictures you can get are just SO beautiful!!!! The rangers are very nice and so informative. Don't forget to pay your respects at the Rosecrans Cemetery afterwards!!! Now get going A must for any native or visitor!!!!
-
Review from Dave T.
7/11/2011
I highly recommend this often overlooked area for your out-of-town guests. There is no better place to see the city. It's a photographer's wet dream. The military cemeteries along the road on the way up are also very picturesque. As is the light house.
You do have to pay to get in, and it closes at 5pm, but if you get a few people in the car, it's totally worth it. -
Review from Molly B.
8/2/2011 8 photos
I almost missed this place. SO glad I went on a tide pool hunt!
I've lived in Sacramento for a couple of years, but really I'm a Redwood Coast girl. When I still lived on the coast I used to check tide charts religiously and make my way to the beach for low tide. I'd collect agates and peek into the pools. It is something I feel sort of lost without. So upon arrival in San Diego one of the things on my mind was "Where can I find some tide pools?" I checked the charts for low tide and then asked some locals where to go. I was pointed in the direction of Cabrillo for tide pools.
Loading my peeps into the car I drove down there for low tide. $5 at the gate, please. The pass is good for a week. Cool... but why do we need this for tide pools? Ah ha! There was much more here than just tide pools! We made our way up the hill and saw there was a statue. "OK, let's be tourists and take some photos by the statue before we go look for the tide pools." Haha... Little did I know I was about to receive a pleasant shock. There before me was the most spectacular view of San Diego.
We spent some time gawking at the view before we decided to check out the nearby buildings. They have a little museum, a gift shop, some snack machines, a light house, and another viewing area with a really cool replica of a destroyer (at least I think that is what it was).
Eventually we made our way down to the tide pools. It was really beautiful down there, but sad to say the pools weren't what we had hoped. We went back the next day at low tide - just in case - but it was still not like the ones from back home. No matter, it was beautiful and felt great just exploring the rocks and watching the waves. -
Review from Oren P.
San Diego, CA
12/5/2011
Plan on coming more than once - within the same week - to get the most out of a visit here. In addition to the lighthouse, museum, movies, store, views, hiking, and history, there are also tide pools and whale watching included in admission (down the hill). Binoculars are available for rent. Most people who come somehow miss much of what is here. Ask one of the rangers what else you can see or do while you are here.
-
Review from Sandi W.
San Diego, CA
9/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!
One of my favorite places for Stay-cation.
Get annual pass is a must!!!!! -
Review from Anilee A.
Updated - 9/8/2011
Review of the hike:
The hike is pretty short, only about 3 miles round trip. The entrance is a paved road on the way to the light house. The road splits and the trail will be on your left hand side.
The trail is well kept and plants are labeled in case you want to know what you're surrounded with. There's not much to look at other than the ocean and parts of SD bay, but on a clear day it's beautiful. I heard if it's reaaaalllyy clear, you can even see the sea lions.
It's an easy hike to walk but if you haven't been physically active in a while, the inclines will make you sore shortly after. The hike goes by pretty fast if you're with good company.Listed in: I heart SD, Me vs. Nature
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/24/2011
Definitely a MUST SEE for all San Diego residents and visitors!
$5 per vehicle entrance fee that… Read more »
-
-
Review from Alexis M.
Came here for a quick wedding ceremony for a good friend.
I can't believe in all my years living in San Diego I never knew about Cabrillo National Monument! AMAZING VIEWS! -
Review from Pamela S.
San Diego, CA
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is one of my favorite places to visit. I enjoy going out here at all times of the year to take photographs. So much to enjoy from the two beautiful lighthouses to the tide pools. You just never know what you will see. There are many different types of birds to see. Some good hiking trails and great views of San Diego and Coronado.
-
Review from Allyson M.
Irvine, CA
7/6/2011
If you only have $5 in your pocket, this is where you should spend it.
It was an overcast, yet warm, day, but it was still beautiful. You just feel like you're on top of the world here.
There's a lighthouse you can go into, although the very top has been closed off. If you're claustrophobic or on the heavy side, I'd highly recommend you not try to walk up the narrow staircase. LOL!
There's an auditorium that shows mini films. We saw one about the park's namesake. It looks like it was filmed in the late 80s or early 90s. The film was 25 minutes long, but it felt like it was hours long, since I keep dozing off.
It's definitely a great place for history and nature buffs. I blame the relaxing atmosphere for contributing to my sleepiness.
Tips:
1. The guy at the gate told us our parking ticket was good for a week! So, I recommend taking advantage of it and going multiple times and/or passing it on to someone else to enjoy.
2. Bring your own binoculars. Seriously? Are you really going to pay to get a better view?
3. Go down to the tidepools. It was so relaxing. However, I had to keep my guard up because there was this semi-creepy guy who went down on the rocks a little lower than I felt was safe for anyone. Is it weird that when I get so close to the ocean that I fear someone will come and push me off? Oh yeah... When we were there, I checked my phone and got 3 texts that read, "Welcome to Mexico." Not sure if I'll be charged for those, but I was unable to "Check In" on Yelp when we were down there. :( -
Review from M E.
Phoenix, AZ
10/24/2011 17 photos
Amazingly beautiful. I cannot say enough. Get a pass, come often. Great place to relax, reflect and just chill out. Stunning everything. Well kept and plenty to see/do.
-
Review from Neko C.
7/16/2011
This is a must-go for Californians and San Diegans- you will learn plenty about the early colonial history of California! I found the museum coupled with the film I saw in the auditorium to be very interesting and insightful- but then again, I love history :P The lighthouse is also interesting- I can't imagine living in some of those cramped quarters hahaha! Haven't been to the tide pools yet- I really would like to go back and explore them! And the view from there is amazing!!! One of the best views of downtown San Diego!!!!
Your parking pass is good for a week so if you can, go a few days to make the most of it! It's a nice spot to stop by later in the week and have a quickie picnic overlooking beautiful San Diego :) -
Review from Rolando P.
Irvine, CA
7/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
The last time I was here was when I was 10 years old, vacationing with my parents.
Now that I am a parent, I took my daughter.
She really showed interest, which surprised me.
Excellent views and a must see when vacationing in San Diego.
Even saw an aircraft carrier heading out to sea.
Parking is only $5.00 and good for return entry for a few days.
When I saw all the grave stones of all the service men/women who died defending/fighting for the USA, I realize much more how lucky I am to be living in the USA. -
Review from Leo H.
San Diego, CA
9/22/2011
One of those must see places. Gave taken tourist relatives and get good response over and over,
-
Review from Kevin T.
Northridge, CA
Beautiful!!! absolutely a rad spot for all ages. One thing I like about this place is you can clim up, down around, in or out of pretty much all the cliffs and caves and your own discretion. I do recommend shoes since I walked in slippers (sandals) that day and would've preferred to have a pair of shoes on. Once you head up to the lighthouse there are cool views of Coronado and downtown SD. You can also watch the fighter jets or aircraft carriers take off from the visitor center area. A typical car runs $5 bucks for entry which is a great deal in my book. They have bike trails and hiking trails almost everywhere. I will be back soon to show this place off.
*Check out my pics taken here gives you a idea of the tide pool area -
Review from Kathleen C.
Las Vegas, NV
8/8/2011
Absolutely must see!!!
The drive there is beautiful, the hikes are breathtaking and once at the monument the view is stunning. -
Review from Amy T.
Las Vegas, NV
10/22/2011
We went on a whim. We were in Point Loma on vacation and had a day that was open; no plans. I was flipping through the magazine in our hotel and realized that Cabrillo National Monument was a short drive from our hotel. We all piled into the car and headed over there. I'm so glad we did. The history is fascinating. The views are amazing. It was a terrific way to spend an afternoon. We love Point Loma. This was our second vacation to the spot and we plan on returning. Cabrillo National Monument is on our list of things to see again.
-
Review from Sarah H.
4/24/2011
Beautiful. Came here on Memorial Day Weekend and it added the oomph seeing all the veterans and families remembering their loved ones who fought for the country. They had a formal ceremony with the guards in the morning. The parking was horrific, no doubt but we parallel parked and walked for about 5-10 minutes. We tried to avoid the paid parking by parking near the cemetery, but they charge PER PERSON if you're just walking past the gate, while they charge PER CAR otherwise. We talked to the ranger and he was kind enough to charge us at the car rate. The ticket lasted for 7 days, so it was cool that we got to come back the next week at no charge.
After we observed the memorial, we headed over to the monument and the views were spectacular. Finding touristy things in San Diego got me all giddy and we hiked the short trail. The trail has great views of the ocean, but it annoys me that there is a dead end and then you just have to walk back without any real exciting peak at the end. The trail also wasn't that challenging.. it's more of just a nice 30 minute walk.
On the other side of the monument towards the waters, there are tide pools that are quite entertaining. It's tempting to stick your hand in there and mess with the little creatures, but gotta respect nature.
Definitely worth adding to your San Diego list! -
Review from micah h.
O'Fallon, MO
7/18/2011
Wow. On vacation and the plan was to spend a couple hours here and on to the next attraction. this did not happen. it turned into about 6 hours and lots of muscles that were soon to be sore. the lighthouse was meh, and the museum was ok. they are small, so its not much of a time eater. the real treasure are in the views. every way you look was amazing. and when you get to the tide pools, its even better. you must see this. granted, im from the middle of the US, so seeing the ocean was great, as well as mountains, but i cant see anyone seeing this place and not being taken aback.
oh, and for only 5 bucks per car. -
Review from Sukhraj B.
Lake Forest, CA
On our last day in San Diego, we drove here after breakfast and soaked up the beautiful views which was honestly my favorite part of the trip.
Entrance is $5 and it lasts for a week. We parked at the first outlet near a cliff and took in a great view. It was a gorgeous day so we were able to see for miles. Then we headed up and checked out the museum and a really cool lighthouse.
The Point Loma lighthouse was my first lighthouse experience. You get to climb into it and check out how people lived and operated them. There are rooms along the way and even a chance to check out the "light" area.
If you're in the area, definitely check this out.Listed in: Parks and Recreation, San Diego
-
Review from Liz O.
Sioux Falls, SD
11/4/2011
We took public transportation to the monument and while it felt like we were going to the end of the world, it was worth it. The monument feels like it is on top of all of San Diego. The views there are beautiful. It was also very peaceful. There was lots to explore and we didn't get to see it all. I very much enjoyed the lighthouse museum and whale watching stations (even though I didn't get to see any whales). The only thing I wish we had done was pack a lunch because there is no food out there except vending machines. The day we went, the vending machines were unavailable. Great monument though. We really enjoyed it.
-
Review from Kat K.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Didn't take too much time to check out the national monument or the museum/visitor center, but the view of the beach and surrounding hills is breath taking.
Tidepools are open until 4:30pm and is a must see. Really short hike from parking area down to the pools. Even with a moderately high tide, we were still able to see crabs, sea anemones, mussels, chitons, and limpets. Would love to go during low-tide.
I was a little confused when I saw military gates while driving down Cabrillo Memorial Drive, but continue along because it'll take you to the gates of the park.
$5.00 will get you a pass good for a week. You can't pass that up. -
Review from Mandy A.
5/2/2011
Isn't it pretty much un-American to give a National Monument less than 5 stars? Actually it's weird that I'm reviewing this at all.
As a tourist from Chicago, I didn't know what to expect but the lighthouse, the cemetery, the view of San Diego from Point Loma... all totally worth it. A good late afternoon stop to take pictures. -
Review from Brandon L.
Fredericksburg, VA
5/2/2011
Gorgeous view. Cool history. Must see. Stamp of approval.
-TGBJ -
Review from Sarah C.
San Diego, CA
1/26/2011 6 photos
One of San Diego's hidden treasures found after a serene drive through the National Cemetery with views of the Pacific. Personally, the sight of the graves jolted a sense of increased appreciation.
The entrance fee is $5 but the admission is good for the entire week. The weather was perfectly warm to persuade me to walk through the tide pools, poke at the sea anemones and explore the life the tide pools nurture. The light ocean breeze made the exploration even more relaxing and fun!
We made a quick stop at the visitor center where to our pleasant surprise, was having a reenactment/play. We watched the play for a few minutes before taking off to enjoy Cabrillo's panoramic views.
Intellectual stimulation, gorgeous views, throw in a packed picnic and Boys, you have a great date in the works! A little unsolicited advice... -
Review from Sheree P.
3/23/2011 5 photos
Cabrillo National Park is about 30 minutes from DTSD. I have never visited this place the years I've lived in SD (my preference has always been Balboa Park). So Thanksgiving family trip, I decided to throw this in the mix because I hear the Loma Lighthouse is amazingly beautiful.
It is off the Point Loma Naval camp (I actually drove into the camp ground thinking that this was it and had to be escorted out...oops) you must drive pass the camp and go all the way to the end of the road. I'm not very good at reading the signs, clearly.
$5 bucks entrance fee is a steal for stunning views, dramatic cliffs and the quaint lighthouse which is beacon of the monument site. It has hiking trails that you can go on, but I was wearing non-hiking friendly fashion boots...eh, city girl, go-figure so we opted out. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm going to save my breath and let you take a look at some of the photos.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
It is truly a hidden gem for those living in SD and those visiting. I hear on lucky days, you can catch a glimpse of whales (save you some whale watching money). -
Review from Kathleen M.
Quincy, MA
5/9/2011
Absolutely stunning views. We got to the area a little later than expected, so made sure to head right for the tide pool area as it closes at 4:30. Well worth the visit, spent the afternoon exploring the area, got a good workout climbing around & taking photos.
We also checked out the lighthouse & monument, which also gave amazing views of Coronado & Mexico in the distance. The National Cemetery is also 'beautiful,' as far as Cemeteries go. I can't think of a more peaceful place to be laid to rest, very fitting for the fallen heros.
If you have a free afternoon this place is absolutely worth the $5 for a 7-day pass! -
Review from Vanna C.
Los Angeles, CA
3/23/2011 5 photos
ABSOLUTELY BREATH-TAKING!!
I highly recommend those to check this nature reserve/historical site out! Even if you are in San Diego for ONE day! You MUST go!! From the tide pools to the lighthouse, to the scenery! Super relaxing especially after days of working or studying, definitely a calm place to be! -
Review from Melissa G.
San Jose, CA
10/1/2011
This place is beautiful! You can see all of San Diego from a top view. There's also a light house you can check out as well as history on Cabrillo. There's a snack/soda machine inside as well as a gift shop. You have to pay five dollars but it's good for seven days. Sweet! I wish I could of came earlier to see the tide pools but we had limited time. Anyways, this place is good for people visiting San Diego or just to go on a scenic drive. Highly recommend! ps: Bring comfortable shoes!
-
Review from Iris T.
3/28/2011
My friend's an architecture buff so when she mentioned going to see a lighthouse, I was like, meh sure.. why not? But when we got to the Cabrillo National Monument, it was so much more than just a lighthouse!
Firstly, there's the drive. Amazing scenery -- you feel like you're driving on the edge of the world (in a breath-taking good way!).
And then there are the tidepools! Go during low tide to see all the marvelous little creatures left behind. And wear hiking shoes or shoes with some grip. I wore my flat boots and, while thank goodness I didn't slip, I definitely couldn't walk around as freely as other people in sneakers or flip flops.
And of course, the lighthouse and the hike leading up to it. The lighthouse was turned into a monument -- learned lots of cool things abt lighthouse keepers and all of that. There's a short hike to get to the lighthouse and when you get to the very top -- as one of the hikers mentioned, your cell phone will inform you that you're now "in Mexico." Ha! Cracked me up.
There is a $5 entrance fee and the park closes at 5 pm so definitely set aside around 2-3 hours to give yourselves enough time to peruse the tide pools, walk around, and enjoy all that the Cabrillo National Monument has to offer!
