Good to know
- Tickets
- The monument charges an entry fee per vehicle or per person, covered by the America the Beautiful pass. Check nps.gov for current rates.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours for the lighthouse, overlook and tide pools.
- Best time
- December to March for gray whale migration and the best low tides. Fall has the clearest views.
- Getting there
- The monument sits at the southern tip of Point Loma, in San Diego. San Diego International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car.
Where to stay nearby
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Cabrillo National Monument questions
When are the tide pools best at Cabrillo?
Go at a low tide, ideally a negative tide, which happens most often in fall and winter afternoons. Check a tide chart before you go.
Can you go inside the Old Point Loma Lighthouse?
Yes, the restored lighthouse is open as a museum showing how keepers lived in the 1800s. The tower itself is usually closed except on special days.
Can you see whales from Cabrillo?
Yes, gray whales pass close to Point Loma from December to March. The whale overlook on the west side is the best spot.
