On September 28, 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo landed at San Diego Bay. This event marked the first time that a European expedition had set foot on what later became the west coast of the United States. His accomplishments were memorialized in 1913 with the establishment of Cabrillo National Monument. The park offers a superb view of San Diego’s harbor and skyline. At the highest point of the park stands the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which has been a San Diego icon since 1854. A statue and museum in the Visitor Center commemorate Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's exploration of the coast of California. In a former army building an exhibit tells the story of the coast artillery on Point Loma. In the winter, migrating gray whales can be seen off the coast. Native coastal sage scrub habitat along the Bayside Trail offers a quiet place to reflect and relax. On the west side of the park is a small but beautiful stretch of rocky-intertidal coastline. --National Park Service DirectionsCabrillo National Monument is located at the tip of Point Loma on south Highway 209 in San Diego. Chula Vista Nature Center (CA) Thie Chula Vista Nature Center, a living museum open to the public, is part of the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Tours and nature walks are just a part of the activites to be found here. DirectionsTake the E street exit off of I-5 in Chula Vista, and park in the west parking lot. A free shuttle arrives there every 20 minutes to take visitors to the Nature Center. This famous theme park is one of the biggest attractions in San Diego. DirectionsSea World is located off of I-5 in San Diego. There are plenty of signs to point the way. One of the most popular beaches in California, Silver Strand State Beach offers a wide variety of recreation from camping and fishing to water-skiing and surfing. DirectionsSilver Strand is located 4.5 miles south of Coronado on Highway 75. |
