Directions

 

 

Directions to Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument, located at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, offers breathtaking views and a rich historical experience. Whether you are driving, cycling, or taking public transportation, reaching the monument is easy and scenic.

Below, you will find detailed directions from various starting points, tips for navigating through the park's entrance, and information on using public transportation. Plan your visit accordingly to make the most of your time at this unique national treasure.

Address and Contact Information

Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
San Diego, CA 92106

Phone: [phone]

 

Public Transportation to the Park

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) offers bus service throughout the county, including hourly stops daily (Monday-Friday) at Cabrillo National Monument via Route 84. For added convenience, the bus stop is located right at the Visitor Center complex.

Taking the bus to the park is a great choice to reduce congestion and pollution, and it's a relaxing way to enjoy the scenic road on top of Point Loma. Please note that the bus does not go to the tidepool area on the west side of the park.

For more information on Route 84, visit the Metropolitan Transit System website.

 

Information on Ride-Sharing to the Park

Ride sharing is a great way to get to the park. Here are some helpful tips when considering this mode of transportation:

• Any visitor arriving at the park via a ride share service must pay the entrance fee or show a valid pass to enter the park.
• Ride share services entering the park to pick up a visitor will not be charged an entrance fee.
• Please be aware that there is no cell phone service at the tidepools. If you use a ride share to visit the tidepools, make arrangements to be picked up at a pre-determined time and location. Otherwise, you will not be able to reach anyone, and you may have to hike up the steep road (approximately one mile) to the upper portion of the monument.

 

Driving to Cabrillo National Monument

The drive to Cabrillo National Monument will take you through diverse areas that reveal the history of the Point Loma peninsula. "Loma" means "hill" in Spanish, aptly describing the rolling topography of the area. Archaeological remnants indicate human occupation of the Point as far back as 7,000 years. In 1797, the Spanish constructed Fort Guijarros on the eastern side of the peninsula to guard the harbor entrance. In 1852, the southern portion of Point Loma was designated as a military reservation. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, established in 1934, honors over 120,000 veterans and dependents interred there. Point Loma's residential neighborhoods were originally established by generations of fishermen and remain varied today, with small cottages next to multi-million dollar homes. Catalina Boulevard is part of San Diego’s 59-mile Scenic Drive, offering spectacular views of the ocean and city en route to Cabrillo National Monument.

Driving Directions

From Downtown San Diego:

1. Take Harbor Drive past the airport.
2. Turn left onto Rosecrans Street.
3. Turn right onto Canon Street.
4. Turn left onto Catalina Blvd. (also known as Cabrillo Memorial Drive).
5. Follow Catalina Blvd.; go through the Navy gate all the way to the end.

From Interstate 5 Northbound:

1. Take the Hawthorne Street / Airport exit.
2. Follow the road to the left under the freeway towards the bay.
3. Turn right onto Harbor Drive.
4. Take Harbor Drive past the airport.
5. Turn left onto Rosecrans Street.
6. Turn right onto Canon Street.
7. Turn left onto Catalina Blvd. (also known as Cabrillo Memorial Drive).
8. Follow Catalina Blvd.; go through the Navy gate all the way to the end.

From Interstate 5 Southbound:

1. Take the Rosecrans / Highway 209 Exit.
2. Stay on Rosecrans Street into Point Loma.
3. Turn right onto Canon Street.
4. Turn left onto Catalina Blvd. (also known as Cabrillo Memorial Drive).
5. Follow Catalina Blvd.; go through the Navy gate all the way to the end.

From Interstate 8 Westbound:

1. Take the Rosecrans / Highway 209 Exit.
2. Stay on Rosecrans Street into Point Loma.
3. Turn right onto Canon Street.
4. Turn left onto Catalina Blvd. (also known as Cabrillo Memorial Drive).
5. Follow Catalina Blvd.; go through the Navy gate all the way to the end.

Entering the Park

Driving to Cabrillo National Monument takes you through a Navy gate. If it is staffed by Navy personnel, slow down at the white gate and follow their instructions. When it is unstaffed, proceed slowly through the gate. For the next 2.5 miles of the drive, you will see more Navy structures and beautiful views of Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Downtown San Diego, and the Pacific Ocean.

Safety and Road Information

• Pedestrian Safety: Please watch for pedestrians while in Cabrillo National Monument.
• Wildlife: Watch the roadways for wildlife such as cottontails, squirrels, snakes, and lizards, which are frequently seen on the roads in and around the monument.
• Weather Conditions: Fog, low clouds, or mist can occur at any time of the year and reduce visibility considerably. Use headlights and caution.
• Speed Limits:
  • Catalina Blvd., the road approaching Cabrillo National Monument, has a maximum speed limit of 35 MPH. The speed is reduced to 15 MPH as you near the entrance station.
  • The road leading to the tidepools, Cabrillo Road, has a maximum speed limit of 25 MPH.
• Bicyclists, Walkers, and Joggers: Many bicyclists, walkers, and joggers use Catalina Blvd. and Cabrillo Memorial Drive daily. Keep an eye out for them and use caution when they are nearby.
• Navy Property: Please be aware that the monument is surrounded by Navy property, and access to those areas is strictly limited.
• Road Names: Catalina Blvd. / Cabrillo Memorial Drive are also known as State Highway 209.