Park Life – Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, CA

  

Three weeks ago, you may remember that I wrote about my love of parks and the inspirational sculptures that can be found in Vigeland Park. The park I would like to showcase this week is Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, CA. This national park is named after Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, who has the distinction of being the first European to set foot on the West Coast of the United States.

Name: Cabrillo National Monument

Location: Southern tip of Point Loma Peninsula, San Diego, CA

Size: 160 acres

Park Highlights

Cabrillo Monument

The monument of Cabrillo commemorates the 1542 landing at Ballast Point in San Diego Bay. The sandstone monument, which stands 14 feet tall and weighs 14,000 tons, was donated by the Portuguese Government in 1939. Additional details of the life of Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo can be found at the Visitor Center.


Old Point Loma Lighthouse

Located 422 feet above sea level, this 1854 lighthouse was only in service for a short 36 years. Due to the location, low hanging clouds and fog often obscured the beam of light and the lighthouse was closed in 1891.

The old lighthouse is now a museum which provides some intriguing insight into the desolate lifestyle of a lighthouse keeper from this time.

The new lighthouse was built at a lower location nearby.

Views
 

One the best ways to enjoy the near 360-degree views of San Diego, Coronado, the Pacific Ocean, and Mexico, is to hike the 2.25 mile Bayside Trail.

There are useful interpretive signs scattered along the trail describing the local wildlife and native plants that you may encounter.

Just think of this as another reason of why you need to visit San Diego!