Point Loma

Point Loma provides wonderful panoramic views of the beautiful San Diego coastline. It is historically important as the landing place of the first European expedition landing in present-​day California and is home to major military bases, a wonderful national cemetery, and a national monument. It is one of those must visit places if you are in San Diego.

My boyfriend and I had a great time running around Point Loma. It’s incredibly picturesque. Even the drive out to the point was pretty. Make sure to check out the pretty cemetery on the way in.
We took the time to snap some photos next to the visitor center looking towards San Diego. There is a Cabrillo statue towards the Lighthouse side of Point Loma that has fabulous views of the ocean and a few islands in the distance. We ran into a really friendly local who was showing a friend around who snapped some great photos of me with my boyfriend.
The light house is so cute. It’s TINY but they do have some rooms on display that you can look at through the glass windows. It was a cramped space with other people in there trying to get a look. It’s fun climbing up the spiral staircase, but it is a bit narrow and tough to get down for little ones. The light house museum is really interesting. It includes a history of light house bulbs over time and how it all works. It’s very windy up there so be prepared!

A perfect way to spend part of a day in the San Diego area. It’s a bit of a trek to get there, but the views are totally worth it. Once you get there, you have the choice of great ocean views or amazing views back towards San Diego past Coronado. The park is well signed and restored with information about the flora, fauna, and history of the area. There is a surprisingly good museum at the visitor center that stretches back before the Spanish arrival. There are some good trails and well restored buildings to explore as well.

Want to get one of the best views of North Island and San Diego? Then you must come here. As you drive up, you may think that the Naval Base could preclude you from entering, but just keep going. You will be charged a fee to enter a National Park, but go ahead. It will be easy to head towards the lighthouse and the visitor center first, but I suggest you take the first right and down the steep incline to see the nice scenery of the California Coast and the Pacific Ocean, unobscured by buildings. Go back up to the visitor center where you can get educated about the Point and see a great view of the City.

Point Loma has a much storied lighthouse. There are plenty of gardens, a museum and a big lighthouse. Trails that are over a mile long can be found right next to here. Don’t forget to look at the view and away from your smartphone plenty of times. History is the overriding point here.
I went here after seeing other parts of the Carbrillo National Monument. Try parking at the bottom to visit this lighthouse. Restrooms are located down some stairs next to the lighthouse. The museum explains quite a lot. It explains the military history, gives you a feeling of why there were lighthouses and tells us of the experience that people had working the lighthouse. After seeing the museum, I went to the lighthouse.
The lighthouse has stairs which can get crowded, in that case, try moving off to the side. Windows show the rooms that used to be inhabited with the typical comforts of family life. I was a little disappointed in being unable to reach the top, but a narrow ladder goes up and Californians are known to sue fellow citizens like crazy.
Point Loma is worthy of your time.

after reading the other reviews, we came here at around 9am and it was very easy to find parking in the early morning. Many picturseque spots! Just follow any man-​made path and you will see lots of things. Wear sunblock/​sunscreen too. There’s a bathroom and water fountain at the visitor center.

It’s a cute little place on Point Loma! I love historical places and it’s nice to see the city keeping its history. To get to the lighthouse, you’ll have to go through the Cabrillo National Park. My husband and I went on a Friday so it was $ 6. Not sure about weekend prices, but our $ 6 admission allowed us up to 4 days!
The road there was scenic. Very beautiful ocean views. We also passed a military cemetery, also beautiful. From the Visitor’s center there, you can see a beautiful view of San Diego harbor. You can see submarines and the ships from the port. But such a great view of Downtown San Diego skyline.
The lighthouse was small. Not tall. There were two buildings, the lighthouse and a little museum on the side with information on the lighthouse’s history. When you get to the lighthouse, you can go all the way up but not to the light because it’s gated. However, you can walk around and see the different rooms inside.

Unilocal 2015 Challenge #74
These next couple reviews are gonna mesh together, as you don’t really know where the lines mesh. Cabrillo monument vs Point Loma? I don’t know.
The general feel. A great place to go and pass by. It’s not like Downtown San Diego where streets are one way and there are tons of people looking for the beach and walking around. Nope! The northern area includes the Southern tip of the 8 Freeway, but you have Phil’s BBQ. I think: P
There is however the wonderful residential district and you can look through the quaint houses.
But then comes the Southern tip and you can find Cabrillo National Monument. Hehe. You can see the two lighthouses and the tide pools (and maybe the secret beach). I’m not gonna comment more b/​c there is more to set in another review!

The lines blur between Point Loma and Cabrillo National monument. Read below for my comments on the lighthouse and switch over to the «Cabrillo National Monument» page for my comments on the National Park museum and Cabrillo monument.
This is a bit out of the way for a tourist to get to, but it is well worth the effort and time. There is a public bus that goes out here, but Über works just as well and completely on your schedule. You have to pay $ 5 to get a car through the gates.
The lighthouse itself was minimally interesting. The rooms that were the living quarters for the lighthouse keeper are furnished in period fashion, but have their doorways covered in Plexiglas. You can walk all the way up the spiral staircases of the tower, and can even get a few feet on the ladder up to the actual light, but a grate covers the opening leading to the lamp. You can stick your arms/​camera up there though and get some cool shots. There is no museum or reading material in the lighthouse itself.
Next door is the assistant keeper’s building. In here is a museum relating to lighthouses and lighthouse lights in general, there is also information on this specific lighthouse, its use and history and the history of its keeper and information on the time period. It was interesting information, but requires no more than 20 minutes of inspection.
If I had to pick between visiting Point Loma as described above or visiting Cabrillo National monument I would pick Cabrillo. The museum in the Cabrillo visiting center just a few yards away is just a tiny bit better in my opinion. The view is also much better as you are closer to the city. I’m glad I came here, but just don’t go expecting too much.
I recommend adding a visit to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery onto your trip up there. If you have a car you can drive there — there is mulch parking lots along the road. If you Ubered you can walk there — I did. It is less than 1 mile away and there is a smooth downhill bike lane for you to walk in.

Beautiful Point Loma is an area located in southern SD. My younger daughter was in junior naturalist heaven. Check when it’s low tide so you have a better chance to see sea life. Urchins can crabs, fish, and I heard starfish (but we didn’t see any) can be seen. It was pretty crowded the day we went, and sadly we saw a lot of visitors who allowed their kids to stomp, grab and disrespect the natural inhabitants. We ventured across the cliffs farther away from the crowds and we’re happy to explore and sit on the cliffs and enjoy the ocean views.
*** be careful, a family standing on the cliff next to us had a terrible accident, the dad slipped and fell 20 ft to the shallow tide below and broke his leg/​ankle, busted out teeth and looked like he’d broken his arm or elbow. He had to have emergency services help him out of the rocky area below.

Everything closes early – around 4:00 to 4:30 PM!
Viewing the ocean from Point Loma is rather different than enjoying it from the rest of the beaches in San Diego. Not only can you get a panoramic view of San Diego and Mexico, but on the flip side, you also get a view of the Pacific Ocean. Point Loma is by far the most serene. I didn’t get a chance to go on the 2.5 mile trail along the coast, nor did I get a chance to see the tide pools before closing, so I’ll have to return at some point.
The lighthouse is quaint and offers much history to learn. I enjoyed learning about the various elements to the lighthouse and seeing the preserved homes of the lighthouse keepers. One warning I will give you is that the lighthouse gets pretty hot and humid inside.
There’s plenty to do at Point Loma. The mysterious Juan Cabrillo monument is not as large as I expected, but the history here is pretty interesting as well. On the way to Point Loma, you will also pass Rosecrans Cemetery. Although I didn’t stop, the rolling hills of the cemetery are like nothing I’ve seen before. This is definitely a touristy spot, but I recommend coming here at least once during your visit in San Diego.

If you appreciate light houses you will love this quaint 1855 Cape Cod style light.
Walking shoes & camera & water and your on your way.
The grounds & and light house are very well maintained. authentic replication of life inside the light. Miniscule fireplaces, furniture, lamps, art, etc.
Tiny interior (people of the 1800s were small lol)
Mini but informative museum. The highlight is the impressively beautiful French Fresnel crystal lens & lantern is now priceless.
It’s impressive that the lighthouse has been run my a series of woman!
Be sure to walk around to the point as there is informative places about the natural fauna, sea life and foliage.
Spectacular views!

Last time I was in San Diego, I drove all the way to this monument and was turned away since I arrived 15 minutes after closing. Note to self, call and check when places close. It takes about 20 – 30 minutes to get to this location from the freeway so allot time for the commute. This time around, it was worth the drive.
It was a beautiful and picturesque national monument. The view from this lighthouse of the surrounding San Diego area and the Pacific was amazing. Also, going to the actual lighthouse and viewing the artifacts and living quarters takes you back to a more simpler time.
Things to know:
— There are no restaurants on site.
— No food or water vendors.
— No vending machines.
— Bring a jacket just in case it gets cold except during the summer months.
— Wear comfortable shoes. You was might want to take a stroll around the trails.
— Pack snack and drinks accordingly.
— There are no children activities at the monument.
— Be sure to charge your camera or phone for photos.
— Have fun.

So worthy of your time! A beautiful drive that will have you pull over to take snapshots. But not yet. Not yet because when you get to the tippy-​top you will have full 270 degree view, wide open.
Once you park, there are several great lookout points, making it fairly easy to take award-​winning photos. You are so high up you get practically aerial shots on all the the San Diego coastline.
If that’s not enough, a lovely lighthouse is there. Next to it, a museum that explains the history of it, and those that made it famous.
Seriously, a drive and destination that’s so worth it.

BEST place to view San Diego from above. Bring the family and friends. There are several fun things to enjoy here as well as plenty of history to soak up. I just love the FRESH AIR rolling off the Pacific and the fantastic views in all directions.
Been here several times in the last 30 years and always leave feeling refreshed. You can sometimes see the whales or porpoises swimming at a distance during certain seasons. It is also fun to count how many different languages are being spoken while doing the tour. French, German, Japanese, Chinese, you name it and they are here. Nice!
Don’t forget to visit their visitor center with their interesting gift shop. They have a large assortment of cool things you can buy to remember your visit. This place does require some walking. Bring your comfortable shoes and take your time.
Located in the Cabrillo National Monument Park. Currently $ 5 per car to get into the park. Keep your receipt if you run out of time. The pass is good for several days. Einfach Wunderbar!

Erstklassiger Blick auf San Diegos’s Downtown und Hafen sowie Coronado Island. Bei guter Sicht kann man die im Osten die Berge und im Sueden Mexiko sehen.
Desweiteren gibt es einen kleinen historischen Leuchtturm zu besichtigen.
Ausreichend Parkplaetze vorhanden.
5 $ Gebuehr, gueltig fuer 7Tage.

Eine bessere Aussicht wird man in Südkalifornien fast nirgends bekommen. Vom Cabrillo National Monument bietet sich ein fantastischer Blick über den Hafen von San Diego, über den Pazifik und bis nach Mexiko.