Getting Around

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Getting around Cabrillo NM is easy!!

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Cabrillo Memorial Drive is the only road leading into the park with a large parking lot near the Visitor Center Complex. Accessible parking is available for people with disabilities in the North Bay of the parking lot closest to the Visitor Center. There is parking for passenger cars, buses, RVs, and motorcycles. Wide, paved paths and sidewalks lead visitors to the Visitor Center Complex, Lighthouse area, Whale Overlook, and Military History Exhibit, which are all within 1/3 mile or 1,700 feet of the Visitor Center. If a member of your party is unable to walk to the Lighthouse area, there are three handicap-accessible parking spaces at the Lighthouse. You must display a valid state handicap parking placard on your dashboard. If your party does not have a valid placard but needs to borrow one for the day, ask at the entrance station or Visitor Center for a handicap parking pass.

There are three parking areas at the tidepools located on Cabrillo Road. Parking in all three tidepool lots will often be at capacity on weekends, Holidays, and during low tides. We recommend arriving at least an hour before low tide to secure a parking spot and encourage carpooling. Walking on Cabrillo Road is not recommended, as there is no shoulder or sidewalk on the road.

Ride-share services and apps are not recommended for arriving at the tidepools as there is no cell service. If using an app to ride to the tidepools, we recommend scheduling a ride for pick up. Rideshare apps work very well for visiting all areas of the park except for the tidepools. There is no additional fee for a rideshare driver to drop off or pick up park visitors.

Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed in any area of the park except for the Coastal Trail accessed from the tidepool parking area.

Traffic and Travel Tips

  • The line to enter the park using a vehicle can be long, especially on weekends after 11 am, Holidays, and day with low tides.
  • Pets are not permitted in the park with the exception of the Coastal Trail in the tidepool area. Only dogs classified as service animals, that are trained to perform a specific task that assists a person with a disability, are permitted in all areas of the park. Emotional support or comfort animals are not service animals.
  • Rideshare apps work well for arriving to the Visitor Center at 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA 92106. Ride-share services and apps are not recommended for arriving at the tidepools as there is no cell service. If using an app to ride to the tidepools, we recommend scheduling a ride for pick up. There is no additional fee for a rideshare driver to drop off or pick up park visitors.
  • Wide, paved paths and sidewalks lead visitors to the Visitor Center Complex, Lighthouse area, Whale Overlook, and Military History Exhibit, which are all within 1/3 mile or 1,700 feet of the Visitor Center.
  • Please watch for pedestrians while in Cabrillo National Monument.
  • Watch the roadways for wildlife – cottontails, squirrels, snakes, and lizards are frequently seen on the roads in and around the monument.
  • Fog, low clouds, or mist can occur at any time of the year and reduce visibility considerably. Use headlights and caution.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Please be aware that the monument is surrounded by Navy property, and access to those areas is strictly limited.
  • Catalina Blvd. / Cabrillo Memorial Drive are also known as State Highway 209.

Ride Sharing

As ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft become more popular, there are a few warnings you should be aware of.

Please be aware that cell phone service is not available at the tidepools. If you use a driver for hire for transportation, make arrangements to pick you up at a certain time and location. Otherwise you will not be able to reach anyone, and you may have to hike up the road (approximately one mile) to the top of the park. The road does not have a sidewalk or shoulder and is not recommended as a safe route. Pets are not allowed in the park with the exception of the Coastal Trail in the tidepool area, so visitors using rideshare apps should not bring pets. Only service animals are permitted ina ll areas of the park. NPS policy defines a service animal as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The tasks performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability. Emotional support or comfort animals are not service animals.

Last updated: February 28, 2020

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
San Diego, CA 92106

Phone:

619 523-4285

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