Cabrillo National Monument: Winter Low-Tide Tidepooling & Point Loma Lighthouse
Visit on your scheduleDec 1 – Feb 28 · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Open daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Best tidepooling during winter afternoon negative low tides (tide pool area closes 4:30 PM)
Cabrillo National Monument1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 · 5.5 mi approx. from San DiegoDirections
All ages; sturdy closed-toe shoes recommended for tide pools; paved visitor center paths suitable for strollers
With admission$20 per vehicle (valid for 7 days); free with America the Beautiful National Parks Pass
About this adventure
Perched at the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula, Cabrillo National Monument offers some of Southern California's finest rocky intertidal tidepooling during winter negative low tides. Children can carefully peer into crystal-clear sandstone tide pools to discover purple sea urchins, giant green sea anemones, hermit crabs, and octopuses. After exploring the tide pools, families can head up to the historic 1855 Old Point Loma Lighthouse, walk the barrier-free whale overlook trail to scan for gray whale spouts through free telescopes, and browse the interactive visitor center exhibits. Park roads and visitor center paths are fully paved and stroller accessible.
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