Cabrillo National Monument: Tide Pools and the Best Sunset View in the City
Cabrillo National Monument sits at the very tip of Point Loma, and it has a legitimate claim to the best panoramic view in San Diego — the entire bay, downtown skyline, and Pacific Ocean visible from the same overlook.
What to See
- The Old Point Loma Lighthouse — an 1855 lighthouse you can walk through, restored to look as it did when it was in operation.
- Tide pools along the western side of the point — some of the best in the county, but only accessible at low tide, so check a tide chart before you go.
- Bayside Trail — a 2.5-mile round-trip walk through coastal sage scrub with bay views most of the way.
- Whale watching — from the overlook, without a boat, during the Pacific gray whale migration (roughly December through March).
Why It’s Worth the Detour
Point Loma is slightly out of the way from the rest of San Diego’s attractions, which keeps this spot noticeably less crowded than La Jolla or the beaches — despite arguably the best view in the city.
Local Tip
There’s an entrance fee per vehicle (or it’s covered by an annual National Parks pass). Arrive early for tide pools, since they’re only exposed for a window of a few hours around low tide.
Getting There
Cabrillo National Monument is about 25 minutes from Serra Mesa via I-8 and Catalina Blvd — worth combining with a stop in Ocean Beach or the Sunset Cliffs area on the way back.
See GemNest’s Serra Mesa vacation rentals for a central San Diego base.
