Cabrillo National Monument

We are really enjoying our stay in San Diego. There is so much to do here, and the weather is wonderful. We are enjoying sleeping with our windows open. The weather stays in the 70's during the day, with lows in the 60's at night. We are getting spoiled for sure. :-)

We visited the Cabrillo National Monument this week and were surprised with much more to see. The National Monument is in honor of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. He led the first European expedition to explore what is now the west coast of the United States. Cabrillo departed from the port of Navidad, Mexico, on June 27, 1542. Three months later he arrived at "a very good enclosed port." That port is known today as San Diego bay.

We also visited Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery which includes those Veterans of WW I, WW II, Korea, VietNam and the Gulf wars. About 91,467 people are presently interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma. The rows of white headstones make their way down the 77.5 acres of gentle grassy slopes on both the ocean and San Diego Bay sides, with stunning views.

At the highest point of the park stands the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which has been a San Diego icon since 1854. The lighthouse was closed in 1891, and a new one opened at a lower elevation, because fog and low clouds often obscured the light at its location 422 feet above sea level.

The park offers a view of San Diego's harbor and skyline, as well as Coronado and Naval Air Station North Island. On clear days, a wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Tijuana, and Mexico's Coronado Islands are also visible. It was an incredible park. We highly recommend this one to anyone in the area. More later from San Diego.

Jun 4, 2009

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