Is it just me, or did summer fly by?
August went so fast that between two trips out of state, a week long visit from Mom and the normal business of work, that I haven't shared my most recent adventure in National Parking.
While Mom was visiting San Diego, we fully enjoyed being tourists together. We went to an Elvis themed Steel Beach party aboard the USS Midway, sailed in the sun on a harbor cruise, sipped margaritas and beer, and jammed out at Bluegrass Brunch. And that was just in the first 48 hours.
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| Steel Beach Party |
Part of our weekend of exploring was our visit to Cabrillo National Monument. Mom and I are always on board to watch educational videos in the visitor center. One of the most interesting facts is that there weren't any paintings or drawings of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who was leading the expedition that explored San Diego Bay. Why is that interesting? Because there is a statue of him at the park and I'm curious who they based his likeness on
Cabrillo NM has two main sections, the visitor center, scenic lookout and Old Point Loma Lighthouse on the top and the tidepools at the shore. It's an easy site to visit in 1-3 hours, depending on if you're doing any hiking or tidepool exploring or just taking in the views. Word is you can see Pacific Gray whales during their migration from December through March, so that will be my cue to go back and visit.
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| Views of the city and the bay |
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| Looking good lighthouse! |
Visiting Cabrillo National Monument?
- The park is only open during the day
- There are entrance fees for cars, cyclists and pedestrians
- The Bayside Trail and Tidepools close earlier than the rest of the park
Other National Parks to Love:
Haleakala National Park - Maui
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle
Black Canyon of the Gunnison - Colorado
Mount Rushmore - South Dakota
Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming (home of my favorite summer job)
