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National Monument · California

Cabrillo National Monument

National Monument in California. $20 per vehicle. 3 hikes listed.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Monument
StateCalifornia
Entrance fee$20 per vehicle
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkJoshua Tree (109 mi)
Closest airportSAN (5 mi)
Tidepools at Cabrillo
Low Tide at the Tidepools Photo: NPS Photo / Dan Zeller

Cabrillo National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in California.

In the park service’s words

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 (public domain).

Things to do

  • Visit the Cabrillo Tidepools: Learn about visiting the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument!
  • Oceanside Trail (45 to 60 Minutes): 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 car-free mode of access to the tidepool area.
  • Earn Your Cabrillo Junior Ranger Badge (30 to 90 Minutes): How to earn your Cabrillo National Monument Junior Ranger badge
  • Bayside Trail (1 to 2 Hours): Learn about what you can see and do while hiking the Bayside Trail at Cabrillo National Monument.
  • Coastal Trail (30 to 60 Minutes): Learn about hiking the Coastal Trail at Cabrillo National Monument!
  • Whale Watching at Cabrillo: Learn about Whale Watching at Cabrillo National Monument!

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, 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.

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

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
San Diego International Airport (SAN) San Diego, CA No road route 5 Large hub
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) Carlsbad, CA No road route 32 Regional
John Wayne Orange County International Airport (SNA) Santa Ana, CA No road route 78 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Visitor Center and View Building: Mon 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Tue 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Wed 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 5:00PM; Sun 10:00AM - 5:00PM. The Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument is the perfect place to get oriented to the park. Rangers and volunteers are always available to answer questions and provide suggestions on what to do.

Weather

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 to 13 inches [230 to 330 mm] annually).

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Joshua Tree, about 109 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Cabrillo National Monument?

$20 per vehicle.

Where is Cabrillo National Monument?

In California. The closest airport with scheduled flights is San Diego International Airport, about 5 miles away.

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