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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Cabrillo National Monument
San Diego
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By Matthew
Martz |
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If you or someone you are traveling with
is an architecture buff, then you will be captivated with
a visit to Point Loma Lighthouse. However, once you arrive,
you will soon discover that Cabrillo National Monument
is so much more than a lighthouse.
Located on a southward-jutting finger of
Point Loma, the small park is an oasis of nature and military
history established in 1913, and commemorates the landing
of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay in 1542. In
1939, the Portuguese government donated the 14-foot-tall
statue of Cabrillo that sits at the end of the point.
On a clear day, this is one of the most
spectacular views in San Diego. From the same vantage
point, you can see: the Pacific Ocean, Coronado, San Diego-Coronado
Bridge, North Island, Shelter Island, Harbor Island, San
Diego International Airport, Downtown San Diego, San Diego
Bay, the mountains, and Mexico. In January, you can see
the snow-capped mountains in the distance that appear
to embrace the city.
The quaint lighthouse is the beacon of the
Cabrillo National Monument and sits on dramatic cliffs
overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is furnished with historically
accurate furniture. You are not allowed go all the way
to the top of the building, but the Fresnel lens is still
kept up there.
When the newer lighthouse was built back in 1891, the
original lighthouse was boarded up, so it was well preserved
when it was opened back up for the public. Ranger-led
talks, displays, and brochures are available to explain
the lighthouse’s interesting past, as well as a
self-guided two-mile walk through a coastal sage scrub
forest that begins adjacent to the Lighthouse.
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View from Point Loma San Siego |
On the bluff
nearby bluffs is a vista called Whaler's Overlook. It’s
a great spot to watch for passing pods of dolphins. There's
even a telescope you can drop quarters in to spot the occasional
migrating gray whales.
There is also a small museum on site that displays models
and explanatory pictures of ships much like those that
Cabrillo commanded in the first half of the 16th Century.
In addition, it includes replicas of navigational instruments
of the day and information on the Neolithic tribes that
once inhabited the area. Inside the museum is an auditorium
with scheduled, free, explanatory videos, rest rooms,
vending machines and a gift shop.
Several short hiking and biking trails lead to and from
the tide pools full of many intriguing forms of sea life.
The bayside trail, which is off to the side of the main
walkway is a great way to get away from the bulk of the
visitors and just enjoy some quiet time while taking in
some appealing views. Canine companions are allowed on
the trails, as long as they are on leash. So bring your
pooch.
Aside from the lighthouse, museum, and tide pools, there
is the Coast Defense Exhibit, another tiny museum covering
the history of Fort Rosecrans, which encompasses the park.
There are several remaining remnants of the WWII facility,
including the circular gun batteries.
The exhibit shows the pictures of the massive guns that
could fire 2,300-pound bullets 30 miles out to sea. They
were made to sink Japanese ships if they ever tried to
invade San Diego. They never did, so it must have been
extremely boring, but safe to be stationed her during
WWII.
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Point Loma Lighthouse |
Point Loma Tide Pool Area |
Cabrillo National Monument
is at the end of Point Loma in San Diego.
Directions from downtown Take Harbor Drive past the airport
Turn left onto Rosecrans Street, Turn right onto Canon Street,
Turn left onto Catalina Blvd. (also know as Cabrillo Memorial
Drive),
Follow Catalina Blvd. all the way to the end. Catalina Boulevard
is part of San Diego’s 59-mile Scenic Drive. Entrance
fee of $5.00 a vehicle and $3.00 for walking or bikes. The
fee helps support the monument.
Cabrillo National Monument is open 365 days a year, from
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. |
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USS
Midway Aircraft
Carrier Museum downtown San Diego |
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La
Jolla magnificent
bluffs as the multi-million dollar homes. |
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Balboa
Park collection
of interesting attractions and 15 museums. |
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Birch
Aquarium A great place for a day of
family fun. La Jolla, California |
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