While in California, we visited Cabrillo National Monument near San Diego. We did not know about this area until we visited Channel Island National Park, so decided to check it out.

The monument is named for Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. He was the first known European to set foot on the Pacific Coast of modern day California. Even though the park is named for him, it had a lighthouse, military bunkers, and tidal pools.

In October of 1913, a half acre of area on top of Point Loma Pennisula, was set aside honoring Cabrillo. No more was done to the area, until 1935, as it was situated inside the Fort Rosecrans military reserve. At that point, it was preserved as a national monument.

To enter the monument, you must travel through what is now known as Naval Base Point Loma Topside. The national monument is only open from 8am to 5pm and there is no overnight camping allowed.

Driving to the visitor center, you pass Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

This area became a cemetery in 1905, when the USS Bennington had a boiler explosion, killing 66 sailors on board. They were buried in a mass grave that is now marked with a large obelisk. It officially became a national cemetery in 1934 and quickly expanded from it’s original 2 acres. The cemetery now covers 62 acres and is divided by the Cabrillo Monument road.

Due to a lack of space, the cemetery walls are used for cremated remains. It is a very solemn area.

At the Cabrillo National Monument Visitors’ Center, we had wonderful views of the cemetery and the naval fleet harbor.

The visitor center had numerous displays explaining the history of Cabrillo. An armada of 3 ships entered the harbor on September 28, 1542 and called it San Miguel, which is now the site of San Diego.

The largest ship of the armada, was the San Salvador, which was 80 feet long and 22 feet wide. It carried 100 men with Cabrillo as it’s captain.

Cabrillo went on to explore the Channel Islands to the north. He was injured in 1543 on the island of San Miguel (now part of Channel Island National Park) and died a few days later. Evidence has been found on Santa Rosa Island that he may be buried there, but no one knows for sure.

In 1939, a statue was commissioned by the Portuguese government to be erected in honor of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. A replica of the original statue overlooks San Diego. The statue is in Portuguese and Spanish, as he explored for Portugal, but there is evidence that he was actually from Spain.

After a short hike to the top of the point, we arrived at the Old Point Loma Lighthouse which was completed in 1854. The lighthouse keeper was on duty 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

The lighthouse contained a small family quarter. Children could be home-schooled, or could journey across the bay to live in San Diego while attending school.

The Old Lighthouse was in operation from 1855 until 1891, when it was realized, that the 433 foot location was frequently covered in fog, and obscured the lighthouse. The Coast Guard disassembled the original 1891 lens and relocated it for display to the outbuilding at the Old Lighthouse. It weighs 1950 pounds, is over 5 feet tall, and was made in France. The light could be seen 20 miles away.

There were many displays about the Old Lighthouse around Point Loma, but beware of snakes…

A “new” lighthouse was built on the shore of Point Loma so as to be below the marine layer of fog. The Coast Guard is now in charge of the Lighthouse operations.

In 1899, Fort Rosencrans was established and the area became a military asset. From 1899 to 1945, the military built a variety of bunkers to prepare for attacks. These were never used, but they are interesting.

Between World War I and II, the Old Lighthouse was repainted green and used for radio communications.

On the ocean side of the national monument, there are a variety of tidal pools. These can be accessed by stairs and a walking path.

The tidal pools are considered some of the best in California.

With it being low tide, there were seals lounging near the tidal pools, enjoying an afternoon nap.

The landscape of the cliffs was interesting, due to the effects of erosion caused by wind and water.

Just off shore, there is a large brown area. This is part of the largest kelp forest in the world. It extends up the California coast almost to San Francisco, over 450 miles.

One last look…

We had spent an amazing time learning about Cabrillo and Point Loma, but we were hungry. We stopped in the town of Point Loma to eat. We especially enjoyed the chowder, which was the house specialty of sausage and clams. It was a great way to end the day!!