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Cabrillo and Coastal Defense History

Part of Honoring Our Military in San Diego, our guide to San Diego military history, the national cemetery and museums that honor service.

Point Loma was designated a military reserve in 1852, and Fort Rosecrans was dedicated in 1899. Cabrillo National Monument preserves the coastal defense history, including searchlight bunkers and fire control stations. The monument is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A private vehicle costs $20.Checked October 22, 2026.

1852Point Loma made a military reserve
1899Fort Rosecrans dedicated
9–5open daily
$20private vehicle, valid 7 days
HoursOpen daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The main gate closes at 5:00 p.m. and there is no public access from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Visitor CenterOpen 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
FeesPrivate vehicle $20; motorcycle $15; per person on foot or bicycle $10 (groups of up to four capped at $20). Valid seven days. Cabrillo annual pass $35. America the Beautiful Military Annual and Lifetime passes are free, as the NPS states.

Military History

The National Park Service says that from 1918 to 1943 the Army built searchlight bunkers, fire control stations and additional gun batteries on Point Loma. Battery Ashburn, next to the entrance station, housed two 16-inch guns that could fire 2,300-pound shells nearly 30 miles out to sea. The guns were dismantled and sold for scrap after World War II. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse was painted olive green and used as a command post and radio facility.

What You Can See

Surviving remnants include base-end stations, fire control stations, searchlight bunkers and a radio station that houses the exhibit “They Stood the Watch.” Ranger talks are often held on weekends.

Tide Pools and Whales

For the tide pools and the winter whale-watching season, see Cabrillo National Monument Tidepools and Whales.

What We Could Not Verify

  • The lighthouse closes at 5:00 p.m.; its opening time is not stated on the hours page.
  • Cabrillo events with dates could not be read (the NPS events page did not load), so none are listed.

More in Honoring Our Military in San Diego

FAQ

How much does Cabrillo National Monument cost?

A private vehicle is $20 and a motorcycle $15. People on foot or bicycle pay $10 each, with groups of up to four capped at $20. Tickets are valid for seven days.

Sources

  1. Cabrillo hours
  2. Cabrillo fees
  3. Military history and coastal defense

Checked October 22, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 22, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.