Cabrillo National Monument offers one of the best view points in San Diego of both the city and the Pacific Ocean. It also marks the spot that Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo landed on California soil in September, 1542 bringing European civilization to the West Coast. A statue of Cabrillo stands at one of the highest points in the park looking out on what has become of San Diego in the intervening 400 plus years. 

There is a museum and extensive gift shop in the park as well as the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. A new exhibit showcases the story of the coast artillery installations on Point Loma. From the observation deck of the museum, it is possible to see the submarine pens, the ships entering the harbor and the skyline of the city.

On the ocean-facing side of the park there are tidepools that are open for exploring. Native plants form the landscaping in the park, and during winter months it often possible to see the migrating gray whales off the coast.