Nov 17, 2025 - Environment

Take a hike! Cabrillo is back, baby

Claire Trageser

Dirt trail leading into a green hillside with various shrubs under an overcast sky. Small wooden beams are at the trail's start. — The Oceanside trailhead near the tide pools parking lot. Photo: Kate Murphy/Axios

Now that Cabrillo National Monument and its trails have re-opened after the government shutdown, why not visit in honor of National Hiking Day?

The big picture: National Hiking Day — first called National Take a Hike Day — was established on November 17, 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson and is meant to encourage people to get outside and explore local trails.

Try these trails: The park has multiple trails to explore. All of them are fairly steep.

The Coastal Trail goes down the western side of the peninsula to the tide pool access area. 1 mile roundtrip.
The Bayside Trail begins near the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and gives you views of the ocean, Ballast Point, Coronado Island and Tijuana. 2.5 miles roundtrip.
The fairly new Oceanside Trail begins south of the lighthouse, descends the bluffs and connects to the Coastal Trail. 1 mile roundtrip.

The details: The Bayside Trail and the Oceanside Trail close at 4pm. The tide pools and the Coastal Trail close at 4:30pm.

Visiting Cabrillo National Monument costs $10 for walkers/cyclists and $20 per car.
Dogs are not allowed except on the Coastal Trail.

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Take a hike! Cabrillo is back, baby

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