National Monument · California
Cabrillo National Monument
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. Cabrillo National Monument not only tells the story of this 16th-century exploration but also houses a wealth of cultural and natural resources. Join us and embark on your own Voyage of Exploration.
Things to do
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Hiking
- Living History
- Reenactments
- Historic Weapons Demonstration
- First Person Interpretation
- Junior Ranger Program
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Weather & when to go
Check the current weather from the National Weather Service at https://www.weather.gov/. San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round, with an average of 201 days above 70 °F (21 °C) and low rainfall (9–13 inches [230–330 mm] annually).
Entrance fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.
$20.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
$15.00
Entrance - Per Person
Admits one individual when entering by foot or bicycle. Groups of up to 4 people walking in or on bicycles are capped at $20 total. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.
$10.00
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
1 to 6 / ($30)
$30.00
Commercial Entrance - Van
7 to 25 / ($45)
$45.00
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
7 to 25 / ($45)
$45.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
26 or more / ($100)
$100.00
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
Organized Non-Commercial Groups include church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc. Vehicles with a capacity of 16 or less are charged the $20.00 vehicle permit fee. Vehicles with 17 or more seats will instead be charged the $10 per person individual rate for any passengers that are not free. The total fee charged for an Organized Non-Commercial Group will not exceed $100 per vehicle.
$20.00
Operating hours
Cabriilo National Monument
The park is open 365 days a year including holidays from 9 am until 5 pm. The Bayside Trail and the Oceanside Trail close at 4pm. The tidepools and the Coastal Trail close at 4:30pm.
FAQ
- How much does it cost to visit Cabrillo National Monument?
- Entrance to Cabrillo National Monument costs $20.00 (Entrance - Private Vehicle), $15.00 (Entrance - Motorcycle), $10.00 (Entrance - Per Person). The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entry at every NPS site.
- What are the hours at Cabrillo National Monument?
- The park is open 365 days a year including holidays from 9 am until 5 pm. The Bayside Trail and the Oceanside Trail close at 4pm. The tidepools and the Coastal Trail close at 4:30pm.
- Do I need a reservation for Cabrillo National Monument?
- No timed-entry reservation is currently required to enter Cabrillo National Monument. Campgrounds and permits may still need to be booked separately on Recreation.gov.