Let's Review! Cabrillo National Monument

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5/5 stars! Great place to visit!

Website: Cabrillo National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Kid Age Range: All ages, except you'll need to baby wear at the tidepools (no stroller access)

Time: 1-3 hours depending on how much time you decide to spend playing in the tide pools, or if you stay to watch the film.  

    This state monument honoring Cabrillo who was essential in mapping out San Diego Bay.  A small museum dedicated to the story of the 16th century exploration, ship equipment, and stories of the time.  There is a statue and plenty of beautiful views from the tippy top point of point Loma.  Easy stroller access all throughout the small welcome center, museum, and monument.  Easy access to clean public restrooms.  You can take a stroll up the walking path to the lighthouse.  The light house is small and charming, quick to explore.  Note that the lighthouse itself is not stroller friendly for obvious reasons (small narrow staircases) but the small museum next to it with the actual lights and information is.  There is a public restroom right next to the light buildings as well as further down the path.  The rest of the path takes you out to the ocean side of the point.  When visiting during migration season you can spot the whales.  Though I would bring binoculars if you wanted a view that is better than specks.  

                 

I've taken my 6, 3, and newborn here a few times.  While the museum is geared more for adults there are displays with buttons that light up lights on a map and a ship that they enjoyed playing with while we read the descriptions.  They enjoyed climbing the light house, seeing the big lights and particularly liked tossing rocks into the ocean down by the tide pools.  We haven't made it out for whale watching yet, but I've heard it can get crowded and to come early.  The tide pools are only available when the tides are out (late fall and winter).