WALK Historical - Cabrillo National Monument - FREE Entry Day + 2.5mile hike

MONDAY August 4, 2025

Cabrillo National Monument (National Park)

San Diego’s only national parks site is Cabrillo National Monument, with its 1913 statue commemorating Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s exploration of the coast of California and its network of trails featuring coastal sage scrub habitat, bird watching and tide pools.

What we will do:

1. Stop In At The Visitors Center

2. Our Walk - The Center Bayside Trail

This trail (2.5 miles roundtrip) descends about 300 feet through native coastal sage scrub, passing remnants of the defense system that protected the harbor during World Wars I and II. No restrooms, drinking water, or beach access. It takes about 1 hour to complete.

3. See The “Kidnapped” Cabrillo National Monument Statue

The original 14-foot tall sandstone statue was commissioned by the Portuguese government for display at the 1939 San Francisco Golden Gate International Exposition. The artist Alvaro de Bree created it. But it arrived too late to display at the fair. A smaller 6-foot replica was featured instead. How it got to San Diego in 1940 is a long story involving legislative shenanigans and a recent widow who just wanted the 7-ton statue out of her garage. (Can you really blame her?)

Once it got to San Diego, the sandstone material did not weather well, especially after it was moved twice. It also suffered “visitor abuse”. It was replaced with a much stronger limestone replica in 1988.

4. Explore the Cabrillo National Monument Lighthouse

KNOW YOUR LIMITS.
Our organizers are not tour guides, we're not rangers. Going out with us is the same as going out with a few friends. Expect the same risks, take the same precautions.
As organizers, we will do our best to give accurate descriptions of the hikes we post.
You're much better off going on a hike that's too easy for you than a hike that's too hard or too dangerous for you. As you go on more hikes with us, you'll become more familiar with our ratings and our descriptions, and you'll learn more about your own limits.
Ultimately, it's up to you to keep yourself safe out there.
You're an adult. Hike within your abilities.