12/17 Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego, CA

Cabrillo National Monument is located on Point Loma, the point of land that wraps around and protects San Diego's port, which contains major military operations and international shipping. 

At the very tip of Point Loma, is an historic lighthouse, visitor center, and some of the best views of the San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean.  It is one of my favorite places, and I like to visit it whenever I am in the area.  There are several places to just sit and enjoy the views, especially on a sunny and pleasant day, as today was!

Here is the visitor center.  Make sure you stop here and learn about the history of this national monument and the surrounding area.

 

 

A view of the tip of Point Loma, showing the places you can visit here.  These include not only the high center of the peninsula but the tide pools along the ocean and the lighthouse down there. 

 

 

A view of the naval airfield and downtown San Diego. 

Interesting ship, but I have no idea which one it is.  More views of the naval station below.

This is a statue of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo who landed at San Diego Bay in 1542.

 

 

The next three photos show the historic lighthouse:

 

 

Following are some views of the Pacific Ocean side of the national monument.   There is another lighthouse, tide pools, and walkable beach areas.

 

 

On the way back to San Diego, I took some photos of the military cemetery.  What a view from there!

On the way to our campground, we stopped for pizza.  I could not resist taking a photo of this apparently very overloaded car.  Is this all stuff heading to be recycled?