Old Point Loma Lighthouse: Our No-Plan Visit to This San Diego Icon

Katherine: Did you suggest hiking today?

Kelsi: I suggested “walk around a historic lighthouse and pretend we’re explorers.” Close enough.

We arrived at Cabrillo National Monument with no expectations. Just comfy shoes, a decent breeze, and the kind of vacation optimism that usually leads to something mildly chaotic. 

What we found was more than just another pretty overlook. It had views, history, wind-swept epiphanies, and one deeply photogenic lighthouse that may or may not have changed us.

If you’ve never been to San Diego’s most dramatic peninsula, here’s what it’s actually like. This is not a brochure. This is what it feels like to wander the cliffs, get emotional about tidepools, and have a mild identity crisis in the shadow of a lighthouse that didn’t work.

So, What Is This Place?

Kelsi: Are we just here for the view?

Katherine: It’s a view with a storyline.

Cabrillo National Monument sits dramatically at the southern tip of Point Loma, overlooking the Pacific like it’s judging your life choices. 

It marks the 1542 landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the first European to step foot on what would eventually become the West Coast. Basically, he was the original guy to show up uninvited and say, “I discovered this.”

But the real showstopper here is the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. 

Built in 1855, it had one job—help ships find their way. Unfortunately, someone got a little carried away with the altitude. 

It was placed so high above sea level that it spent most of its career shrouded in fog, blinking uselessly into a cloud. After decades of missed connections and maritime side-eye, the lighthouse was officially retired in 1891.

So yes, it’s beautiful. But it also comes with a little chaos, a little drama, and just enough historical weirdness to make your cliffside wander feel like you’re part of the story, instead of just taking pictures of it.

Start at the Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is your gateway into context. There’s a short film if you want it, exhibits that break down the history of the area, and a gift shop where you will absolutely consider buying a lighthouse-shaped cookie cutter even though you haven’t baked since 2019.

This is also the best place to ask questions like, “How do we see cool stuff without committing to a full-on hike?”

Step Inside the Lighthouse That Tried Its Best

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is adorable in a “coastal grandma meets historical reenactment” kind of way. 

The inside has been restored to show what life looked like for lighthouse keepers in the late 1800s. Think tiny beds, oil lamps, and a kitchen setup that silently judges your DoorDash addiction.

You can walk through the rooms and peek at the spiral staircase. The lantern room at the top is occasionally open, but even from the outside, the views are worth the climb.

Kelsi: I feel like I’m in a moody period film where someone dies in the second act.

Katherine: Same. It’s giving fog, secrets, and emotional backstory.

Choose Your Trail Adventure

Kelsi: There’s a trail for every energy level.

Katherine: And none of them made me question my life choices. Which is rare.

Bayside Trail: A mellow option with skyline views and lots of native plants. Ideal for people who say they like hiking but really mean “a scenic walk near a bathroom.”

Coastal Trail: A bit more rugged. This one hugs the edge of the cliffs and brings all the drama. Expect wind, waves, and at least one moment where you pretend you’re in a fragrance commercial.

Tidepool Access Trail: When the tide is right, head down to the tidepools. You’ll find starfish, crabs, and a surprising number of toddlers loudly announcing discoveries to no one in particular. Wear shoes with grip. It’s rocky and slippery, and you will not be graceful.

Stay for the View, Catch a Minor Existential Crisis

There’s a moment when you reach the edge of the cliffs, and the entire Pacific spreads out in front of you. 

The city skyline fades behind you. 

The ocean feels endless. 

The air smells like salt, eucalyptus, and clarity.

It’s the kind of place that invites reflection. You don’t need a big plan. You just need a moment. And this place gives you a lot of them.

Tips From Two People Who Showed Up Clueless

• Bring a jacket. The wind does not care about your hairstyle.
  
• Go late afternoon. The cliffs hit their main-character lighting around golden hour.
  
• Parking is limited. Arrive mid-morning or early afternoon to avoid circling like you’re hunting for a brunch spot.
  
• Tidepool timing matters. Check the schedule before you go if tidepools are on your list.
  
• Whale watching is seasonal. From December to March, you might catch a glimpse. Or at least convince yourself you did.
  
• Give yourself two hours. That’s enough to explore, walk, pause, and consider ditching city life to become a full-time coastal wanderer.

So, Should You Go?

Kelsi: Absolutely. Even if you’re not a history person. Even if you’re not a hiking person. Even if you just want a good place to eat a granola bar and feel something.

Katherine: It’s one of the few places that’s beautiful, interesting, and actually easy to explore. You don’t need to train for it. You just need to show up.

Cabrillo is more than just another scenic stop. It’s a reminder that sometimes, wandering a cliffside with no real plan leads to the best kind of travel memory. One with wind, wonder, and a view that sticks with you longer than your Instagram story ever will.