Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in San Diego County, California. Entrance is $20 per vehicle, good for 7 days.
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Cabrillo National Monument on the managing agency's own page.
Cabrillo National Monument map
Cabrillo National Monument boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
No fire restriction recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders below before you go.
Common questions
- Entrance costs $20 per vehicle, $15 per motorcycle, and $10 per person on foot or bicycle, each valid 7 days. An annual pass for Cabrillo National Monument costs $35. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted. No reservation is needed to enter.
- No. Cabrillo National Monument has no developed campground. Day-use only; camping is not permitted within Cabrillo National Monument (as of September 29, 2026). Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.
Fees, passes, and hours
Entrance costs $20 per vehicle, $15 per motorcycle, and $10 per person on foot or bicycle, each valid 7 days. An annual pass for Cabrillo National Monument costs $35. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted. No reservation is needed to enter.
Source: nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/fees, checked 2026-09-29.
Entrances and visitor centers
- Visitor Center and View BuildingVisitor center, year-round: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.6195234285
Source: nps.gov/cabr/cabr_linked_data.json, checked 2026-09-28.
Camping in Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument has no developed campground. Day-use only; camping is not permitted within Cabrillo National Monument (as of September 29, 2026). Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.
Source: nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/eatingsleeping, checked 2026-09-29.
Trails
- Bayside TrailCoastal sage scrub habitat; starts northeast of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.
- Coastal TrailShort coastal hike with a few steep slopes; open daily to 4:30 pm.
- Oceanside TrailCar-free route from the lighthouse area down to the tidepools; significant elevation gain on the return.
Source: nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/outdooractivities, checked 2026-09-29.
What to see
- Historic siteOld Point Loma LighthouseHistoric lighthouse overlooking San Diego Harbor and the Pacific.
- HighlightTidepoolsRocky intertidal area best visited at low tide, especially in fall and winter.
- OverlookKelp Forest Whale Watch OverlookOverlook for Pacific gray whale migration in winter and kelp-forest views.
Source: nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/outdooractivities, checked 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to Cabrillo National Monument
- BLM unitCabrillo National Monument borders California Coastal National Monument.
- State parkSilver Strand State Beach, a state park, is 2.6 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.nps.gov/state/ca/index.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/cabr/cabr_linked_data.json (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/cabr/learn/oceanside-trail.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/eatingsleeping.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)