Old Point Loma Lighthouse: A Beacon of History
Explore a historic lighthouse with panoramic views of San Diego's coastline and a glimpse into 19th-century maritime life.
Perched atop the Point Loma peninsula, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse stands as a monument to California's maritime past. Built in 1855, it guided ships into San Diego Bay for over three decades. Though its lofty perch proved problematic due to fog, the lighthouse offers stunning panoramic views and a glimpse into 19th-century lightkeeper life.
A brief summary to Old Point Loma Lighthouse
- 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, Point Loma, California, 92106, US
- +1619-523-4285
- Monday 10 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Arrive early, especially on weekends, as parking at Cabrillo National Monument can be limited.
- Check the Cabrillo National Monument website for 'Open Tower Days' to climb to the top of the lighthouse.
- Bring binoculars for whale watching (December to April) and to enhance the panoramic views.
- Visit the tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument during low tide for a chance to see marine life.
Getting There
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Driving
From downtown San Diego, take North Harbor Drive to Rosecrans Street. Turn left onto Rosecrans, then right onto Talbot Street. Turn left onto Catalina Boulevard and follow it to Cabrillo National Monument. There is a $20 entrance fee per vehicle. Parking is available near the Visitor Center, a short walk from the lighthouse.
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Public Transport
From downtown San Diego, take the MTS bus Route 923 to Narragansett Av & Chatsworth Bl. From there, transfer to Route 84 which stops at the Cabrillo National Monument visitor center. The bus stop is conveniently located near the visitor center complex. A one-way fare on MTS is $2.50. Note that Route 84 does not go to the tidepool area. The entrance fee to the National Monument is $10 per person.
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Taxi/Ride-share
From downtown San Diego, a taxi or ride-share to Cabrillo National Monument takes approximately 10 minutes and costs between $24 and $29. This will drop you off at the entrance to Cabrillo National Monument, where you will still need to pay the $20 entrance fee per vehicle or $10 per person.
Discover more about Old Point Loma Lighthouse
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