Tide pools and lighthouse overlooks at Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma includes the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and coastal terraces that provide concealed or low-traffic vantage points for viewing tide pools, kelp beds, and seasonal whale migrations. The tide pools below the cliffs are accessible at low tide and reveal intertidal ecosystems that are not visible from the main parking areas, while the lighthouse plaza gives sweeping views of the Pacific and the entrance to San Diego Bay. The site commemorates Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo's 1542 landing and combines historical interpretation with these maritime viewpoints.