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.
Photo: NPS Photo / Dan Zeller / NPS
About 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.
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Driving times from Cabrillo National Monument, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Entrance fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$20.00Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$15.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$10.00Admits 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.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$30.001 to 6 / ($30)
Commercial Entrance - Van
$45.007 to 25 / ($45)
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$45.007 to 25 / ($45)
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.0026 or more / ($100)
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$20.00Organized 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.
Hours
Cabriilo National Monument
- Mon
- 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Tue
- 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Wed
- 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Thu
- 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Fri
- 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sat
- 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sun
- 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Activities
Getting there
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).
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to enter Cabrillo National Monument?
- Entrance to Cabrillo National Monument starts at $10. See the fees section above for each pass and vehicle type.
- What is there to do at Cabrillo National Monument?
- Popular activities include Biking, Birdwatching, Bookstore and Park Store, First Person Interpretation, Gift Shop and Souvenirs, Hiking.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Cabrillo National Monument?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (1 h 47 min), Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (3 h 17 min), Joshua Tree National Park (3 h 56 min), César E. Chávez National Monument (4 h 27 min), Manzanar National Historic Site (5 h 53 min), Mojave National Preserve (6 h 2 min).