Park Regulations & Safety

Your Safety

To ensure a safe and pleasant visit to Cabrillo National Monument, please take a moment to review some safety tips.

• Hiking: For your safety and to protect the ecosystem, please stay on designated trails.

• Bicycling: Bicycling is allowed on paved roadways only. Please be cautious as vehicles share the roadways.

• Smoking: For the safety of the fragile ecosystem and the comfort of visitors, smoking is not allowed on the Bayside Trail, near the tidepool area, or in park buildings.

• Skate Boards and Roller Blades: For the safety of fellow visitors, skate boards, roller blades, and skates are prohibited on all surfaces.

• Swimming, Surfing, and Diving: Swimming, surfing and diving are prohibited within park boundaries (the park boundary extends 300 yards from the shore). This is for your safety and to protect the intertidal ecosystem.

• Watch Your Step! Stay Back! Cliff areas in the park are very unstable. Stay back from cliff edges.

• Go Slow. Slick, algae-covered rocks in the tidepools are very slippery. Wear shoes with good traction and take your time. Go slow! You will see more this way as well.

• Stay on the Trail. Many prickly plant species border park trails. Stay on trails to avoid having foliage tear at your skin and clothes. Rattlesnakes are often seen in the park. They are a shy and natural part of the park's ecosystem that happens to be poisonous. Stay on trails so that you can avoid them and they can avoid you.

• A Special Note About Plants: Many plant species, such as California Buckwheat may appear dead during the summer months. Actually, these plants are just dormant. During California's hot, dry summer, the stems and petals of many plants become dry and brittle to conserve water. Once the winter rains arrive these unique "drought-deciduous" plants once again become green and vibrant. For the safety of these plants and to avoid damaging them, please stay on trails and do not break off "dead" branches from plants in the park.

Guidelines For Your Visit

For an Educational and Enjoyable Visit

We hope your group's visit to Cabrillo National Monument will be both educational and enjoyable. We ask that you help us by accepting the responsibility for your students during your visit and by sharing these guidelines with them.

Clothing - Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Bring jackets or sweaters, as Point Loma can be cooler than the rest of San Diego. For tidepool trips, wear rubber-soled shoes (sneakers) with good tread - the rocks are wet and slippery! For Bayside Trail trips, bring sun protection and wear good walking shoes.

Safety - Groups should remain together and stay on paved walkways or trails. Stay away from cliff edges as they tend to be unstable. Students must not run in public areas.

Manners - Please remember that many groups of people use the park. Respect other park visitors and stay to one side of the path when meeting others on the walkways. Please keep the noise level down when in public buildings. If you wish to have students visit the Bookstore in the Visitor Center, a ratio of one adult to five students is required.

Parking - For safety and your convenience, buses should unload and pick up your group in the traffic circle near the flagpole. Bus parking is available in designated spaces in the middle section of the parking lot. Buses must turn off engines while unloading or loading passengers. Diesel fumes accumulate quickly and can be harmful to visitors and wildlife.

Lunch - There is no formal picnic area. Students may eat on any benches or rock walls found throughout the park. Please have students pick up any litter after eating. Lunches may be stored in a locker near the flagpole. Refrigeration is not available.

Recycling - After lunch, look for the recycling cans with green lids where you can recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans.

Bad Weather - All programs and presented outside in any weather, unless safety is a concern.

Cancellation and Rescheduling of Programs - We appreciate as much notice as possible when it is necessary for you to cancel your reservations. You may reschedule if space is available. The education office can be reached weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at (619) 557-5450, extension 2231.

Preserving Park Resources - Please impress upon the students the importance of caring for cultural and natural resources in the park. Students should know that nothing can be taken from the area. In particular, the intertidal habitat is a fragile place. Throwing rocks into the water is not only dangerous to other visitors, but those small rocks can accumulate, tumble in the surf, and grind away the plants and animals living on the rocks. For more information on protecting this delicate ecosystem, click here to go to the "Rules to Protect the Tidepools" page.

Fees, Reservations, and Permits

REGULAR ENTRANCE FEES

Did you know that 80% of your entrance fee stays right here at Cabrillo National Monument to support park programs? Did you also know that your entrance receipt is good not only for the day you visit, but also for the following six days? You can come back as many times as you like for seven full days. THANKS for your support!

COMMERCIAL FEES

Cabrillo National Monument welcomes your commercial tour group. A "commercial tour" is defined as an organized tour that is booked and paid through a third party. Your group is welcome to come whenever it's convenient for you (no reservations are necessary), and we have plenty of bus parking available.

* "Passenger Capacity" is based on the number of seats on the vehicle, rather than number of actual passengers.

All entrance fees can be paid by cash or personal, company, or travelers check.

RESERVATIONS

You're welcome to visit Cabrillo National Monument any time that we're open - no reservations are required for the general public.

If you will be visiting the tidepools and your group is larger than ten people, we ask that you make a reservation and obtain a free tidepool permit; see the "Permits" page to learn more.

PASSES

Recreation sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), and the U.S. Forest Service (USDA FS) are exciting places to visit daily, for a weekend, or for an entire vacation. Annual passes provide you with a full year of enjoyment at America's beautiful lakes, rivers, seashores, wildlife refuges, outstanding cultural and historic sites, and some of the world's most magnificent forests, parks, and monuments. The National Park Service is an important participant in the new Interagency Pass Program which was created by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and authorized by Congress in December 2004. Participating agencies include the NPS, BLM, FWS, BOR, and USDA FS. Starting January 1, 2007, new America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes will be available, replacing existing Passes.

Please note: All current National Park Passes, Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Access, and Golden Age Passports will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass. Only paper Golden Age and Golden Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for new plastic passes.

Four passes will be part of the new Interagency Pass Program:

Commercial Photography and Filming

COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAAPHY AND FILMING AT CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT

Because of its scenic location, Cabrillo National Monument is frequently sought after by filmmakers and photographers. Look closely on television programs, movies, and in catalogs: you may recognize the lighthouse, tidepool area, or other park features as a backdrop for actors and models. The National Park Service allows commercial filming and photography within the National Park System to the fullest extent possible consistent with the protection of the park resources and the visitor's enjoyment of the park.

Commercial filming is defined as digital or film recording of a visual image or sound recording by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience, such as for a documentary, television or feature film, advertisement, or similar project. Under Public Law 106-206, all commercial filming requires a permit and is subject to a location fee and cost recovery.

PERMITS

The decision to require a permit for still photography activities in a park is based on the activity itself as opposed to the eventual use of the image. Generally, permits are not required for still photography activities unless:

• The activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or
• The activity uses model(s), set(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or
• The park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.

If none of these conditions exist, a permit is not required.

In Public Law 106-206, Congress expressed the importance of resource protection and provided that the permit request should be denied if:

• There is the likelihood that resource damage would occur that cannot be mitigated or restored under the terms and conditions of a permit;
• There is the likelihood of unreasonable disruption of or conflict with the public's use and enjoyment of the site;
• There is the likelihood that the activity poses health or safety risks to the public;
• There is the likelihood that the activity would result in the impairment of park resources or values;
• The requested activity will violate any other applicable Federal, State, or local law or regulation.

Approved permits will include appropriate terms and conditions to protect the resources, ensure public health and safety, and prevent unreasonable disruption of the public's use and enjoyment. Permits will also include a hold harmless clause, liability insurance, and a bond, if deemed necessary.

NEWS COVERAGE

News coverage does not require a permit, for either filming or still photography, but is subject to time, place, and manner restrictions, if warranted, to maintain order and ensure the safety of the public and the media, and protect natural and cultural resources.

LOCATION FEES

All commercial filming permits and still photography permits are statutorily subject to cost recovery and a location fee, neither of which may be waived. The location fee is determined by the type of activity (commercial filming versus still photography) and is determined by the number of permitted days and the number of people on park lands associated with the permitted activity. There is no deviation from the schedule. A day is defined as a continuous 24 hour period.

LOCATION FEES FOR MOTION PICTURES/VIDEOS

• 1-10 people $150.00/day
• 11-30 people $250.00/day
• 31-49 people $500.00/day
• Over 50 people $750.00/day

LOCATION FEES FOR COMMERCIAL STILL PHOTOGRAPHY

• 1-10 people $50.00/day
• 11-30 people $150.00/day
• Over 30 people $250.00/day

NATURE FILMS

To address the needs of videographers and cinematographers who produce nature films highlighting the wonders of national parks, the following provision is in effect:

Commercial videographers, cinematographers, or sound recording crews of up to two people with only minimal equipment (i.e., a camera and a tripod) working in areas open to the public are required to obtain a commercial filming permit and are subject to appropriate permit terms and conditions and cost recovery charges but are not subject to location fees.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• When a filming permit is required, liability insurance naming Cabrillo National Monument/National Park Service as additionally insured is also required. The minimum amount of the liability coverage is $1,000,000.00.
• With the exception of vehicles with handicap permits issued by park rangers, all vehicles must be parked in the parking area.
• The Commercial Film/Photography worksheet with proof of insurance must be submitted at least three days prior to filming. Once all aspects of the filming project have been approved, a Commercial Film Permit will be issued.
• The use of all props and equipment other than photographic equipment must be listed and approved in the Commercial Film Permit.
• The granting of a Commercial Film Permit does not constitute an implied or expressed endorsement of any commercial product or service by CabrilloNational Monument or the National Park Service.
• Commercial filming in the Lighthouse requires the compliance with specific guidelines. Applicants should contact the Park Historian for additional information.
• Film crews must not interfere with the enjoyment of visitors or force visitors to leave a certain area of the monument in order to conduct the filming.
• Vehicles are not permitted off paved surfaces.
• Film crews must remain on paved surfaces or designated trails.
• Photographing or filming motor vehicles around the Lighthouse is not permitted.
• Commercial film permittees and associated staff identified in the permit will not be charged the entrance fee.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To obtain a Commercial Film/Photography Worksheet, or for more information, please contact:

Permits - Military Reenlistments

REENLISTMENT CEREMONY GUIDELINES

To help you determine if Cabrillo National Monument is the best choice for your Department of Defense reenlistment ceremony, we offer the following guidelines:

• A Special Use Permit is required. Please download and complete the application found below and allow at least a week for processing.

• Reenlistment ceremonies with less than 15 people are allowed in the Statue Plaza.

• Ceremonies with more than 15 people may be held in the Bluff Event Area.

• Ceremonies should start before 9:00 AM and must conclude by 10:00 AM.

• Receptions with cake, cookies, coffee, or other refreshments are not permitted.

• The park entrance station opens at 9:00 AM. If you would like the ceremony to begin after 9:00 AM, please contact a ranger (listed below) prior to completing the application.

• All vehicles must be parked in the main parking area.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about holding a reenlistment ceremony at Cabrillo National Monument, please contact:

Permits - Military Reenlistments at the Park

REENLISTMENT CEREMONY GUIDELINES

To help you determine if Cabrillo National Monument is the best choice for your Department of Defense reenlistment ceremony, we offer the following guidelines:

• A Special Use Permit is required and is obtained in advance. Please contact Park Ranger Martin Lane to request a Permit Worksheet.

• Reenlistment ceremonies with less than 15 people are allowed in the Statue Plaza.

• Ceremonies with more than 15 people may be held in the Bluff Event Area.

• Ceremonies should start before 9:00 AM and must conclude by 10:00 AM.

• Receptions with cake, cookies, coffee, or other refreshments are not permitted.

• The park entrance station opens at 9:00 AM. If the ceremony will begin after 9:00 AM, a fee waiver must be obtained. To obtain a fee waiver, fax your request on official letter head to (619) 226-6311.

• All vehicles must be parked in the main parking area.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To obtain a Permit Worksheet, or to learn more about holding a reenlistment ceremony at Cabrillo National Monument, please contact:

Permits - Tidepool Permits for Groups

TIDEPOOL PERMITS

In order to protect this distinct and delicate ecosystem, Tidepool Permits are required for groups of ten or more to visit the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument. If your group numbers less than ten, no permit is required.

Tidepool Permits are issued in advance by the Education Department at Cabrillo National Monument. Click here to view low tide dates by month. Please contact the Education Department at (619) 557-5450, extension 2231, for available dates and to obtain a permit. Due to staffing, please note that it may not be possible to speak directly with a Reservationist; including as much information as possible in your voice mail message - such as desired date, number of people, and contact information - greatly reduces "phone tag."

Once you obtain a Tidepool Permit and after arriving at Cabrillo National Monument, take your permit to the Visitor Center to be validated by a Park Ranger prior to entering the intertidal area.

Group leaders are expected to provide proper supervision of their group for the protection of the ecosystem.

Park Rangers and Volunteers are stationed in the intertidal area during low tides to provide information, answer questions, and enforce regulations. There are no Ranger-led group tours in the tidepool area.

VEHICLE ACCESS - PLEASE NOTE

Please remember that access to the coastal area is only by vehicle via Cabrillo Road. Travel by any other means is dangerous and not permitted. There is no pedestrian access. Parking is limited, so we encourage carpools or bus transportation.

TO PROTECT TIDEPOOL CRITTERS - SOME RULES TO REMEMBER

• Forcibly removing any living organism from any surface is prohibited.

• No scraping, probing, or prying instruments are allowed.

• No containers such as buckets or cups may be used to hold organisms.

• Nothing is to be disturbed or removed - it's the law. Federal regulations protect all objects throughout the park.

TO PROTECT YOU - SOME SAFETY TIPS

• Watch your step on slippery rocks.

• Wear shoes with soles that provide good traction.

• Please walk - don't run or rock-hop.

• Stay on trails and be aware that cliffs are extremely unstable and dangerous.

• Be aware of "sneaker waves" that can appear suddenly.

• Always keep an eye on the incoming tide - don't get stranded!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To find our more about obtaining a Tidepool Permit for your group, please contact:

Permits - Military Retirements at the Park

MILITARY RETIREMENT CEREMONY GUIDELINES

To help you determine if Cabrillo National Monument is the best choice for your Department of Defense retirement ceremony, we offer the following guidelines:

• A Special Use Permit is required and is obtained in advance. Please contact Park Ranger Ely Edquid to request a Permit Worksheet.

• Ceremonies with more than 20 people are allowed in the main parking lot, in the north bay area.

• Retirement ceremonies with less than 20 people may be held in other areas of the park, with advance permission.

• Ceremonies should start before 9:00 AM and must conclude by 10:00 AM.

• The retiree, or his/her command, must provide and set up all chairs, tables, podium, PA system, etc. Park personnel cannot be used for this purpose. All equipment must be removed by 10:30 AM.

• Receptions with cake, cookies, coffee, or other refreshments are not permitted.

• The park entrance station opens at 9:00 AM. If the ceremony will begin after 9:00 AM, a fee waiver must be obtained. To obtain a fee waiver, fax your request on official letterhead to (619) 226-6311.

• All vehicles must be parked in the main parking area.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To obtain a Permit Worksheet, or for further information, please contact:

Permits - Weddings at the Park

WEDDINGS AT CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT

To help you determine if Cabrillo National Monument is the best choice for your wedding location, we offer the following guidelines:

• Permit fee: $75.00 This fee is non-refundable; however, time or date of wedding can be changed if there is no conflict with other weddings.

• Before completing the Wedding Permit Application, we highly recommend that you come up to the park to see the Bluff Event Site, to see if it will meet your needs.

• Weddings are permitted at the Bluff Event Site only. No area of the park is set aside for the exclusive use of any group; we simply allow weddings in this area of minimum visitor use.

• Maximum number of people: 100. The Bluff Event Site cannot accommodate more than this.

• Weddings are on a first come, first served basis.

• Due to the natural terrain of the area, set-ups such as chairs, carpet runners, arches, trellises, podiums, organs/pianos, or related items are not allowed.

• Non-amplified music from flutes, harps, guitars, etc. is permitted. Amplified music or public address systems are not allowed.

• Often there may be a guest who must sit down during the ceremony; someone may bring a chair for them and carry it out when leaving. Chairs may not be set up in advance of the ceremony.

• Flowers are permitted as long as they arrive and depart with the wedding party.

• No rice, birdseed, flower petals, etc. may be thrown or left in the park.

• Vehicles must park in the main parking area. Disabled persons may be driven to the lighthouse area with advance permission.

• Weddings may not start later than 90 minutes before park closing time (4:45 PM Memorial Day through Labor Day and 3:45 PM the remainder of the year).

• Receptions are not permitted within the park.

• There is no alternate location for the ceremony in case of inclement weather.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For further information, please contact:

Permits - Military Retirements

MILITARY RETIREMENT CEREMONY GUIDELINES

To help you determine if Cabrillo National Monument is the best choice for your Department of Defense retirement ceremony, we offer the following guidelines:

• A Special Use Permit is required and is obtained in advance. Please contact Park Ranger Ely Edquid to request a Permit Worksheet.

• Ceremonies with more than 20 people are allowed in the main parking lot, in the north bay area.

• Retirement ceremonies with less than 20 people may be held in other areas of the park, with advance permission.

• Ceremonies should start before 9:00 AM and must conclude by 10:00 AM.

• The retiree, or his/her command, must provide and set up all chairs, tables, podium, PA system, etc. Park personnel cannot be used for this purpose. All equipment must be removed by 10:30 AM.

• Receptions with cake, cookies, coffee, or other refreshments are not permitted.

• The park entrance station opens at 9:00 AM. If the ceremony will begin after 9:00 AM, a fee waiver must be obtained. To obtain a fee waiver, fax your request on official letterhead to (619) 226-6311.

• All vehicles must be parked in the main parking area.

DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION

For a downloadable application for retirement ceremony, click here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For further information, please contact:

Permits - Tidepool Permit Availability

The best times to visit the tidepools are during negative low tides, when the water is low and lots of rocks are exposed. Generally, you'll find good negative low tides during daylight hours in the winter and spring months. Tidepool permits are issued only on days when the tide is +0.7 or lower. To find the best date for you, click here to check out the charts.

NOTE: The charts are provided as a reference to show the dates when the tide is low enough to view intertidal organisms, but is not a guarantee that tidepool permits will be available. Check with the Education Department at (619) 557-5450, extension 2231, for permit availability.

Tidepool hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, seven days a week.

Tidepool Permits

If your group is larger than 10 and you wish to visit the tidepools, a free Tidepool Permit is required. Click here for more information on obtaining a Permit.

VEHICLE ACCESS - PLEASE NOTE

Please remember that access to the coastal area is only by vehicle via Cabrillo Road. Travel by any other means is dangerous and not permitted. There is no pedestrian access. Parking is limited, so we encourage carpools or bus transportation.

Permits - Other Special Events

OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS

National Park Service policy and Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 2.50 only allow events in the park if there is a meaningful association between the park area and the event, and the observance contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park. This means that there must be an association between the event and why the park was established or the importance of the park. Further, the event must help visitors understand why the park exists, or why it is important. Cabrillo National Monument was established in 1913 to commemorate the voyage of exploration of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542. Over the years, as the park grew in size, its purpose expanded to include preservation and interpretation of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, US Army coastal defense system, coastal sage and maritime succulent scrub habitat, and tidepools. For Cabrillo National Monument to issue a special use permit under NPS policy and Title 36 CFR, the event should be related to one of the above mentioned subjects or themes and help visitors understand the significance of these themes and the park.

In addition, foot races and bicycle races or rallies which are based on accepted recreational activities, such as jogging and bicycling, may be permitted upon taking into consideration the criteria in 36 CFR and NPS Management Policies.

Requests for special use permits that do not conform to the aforementioned requirements must meet the following: ·

• The special event must NOT be conducted during the park's operating hours (9:00 AM - 5:15 PM).

• The event must not interfere with the park's operation.

• For events that have one hundred or more participants/attendees, only one such event per month is authorized.

• The approval of the event is contingent upon the availability of staff.

• Permit requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis.

When a special use permit (SUP) request is approved, the following is required:

• Include Cabrillo National Monument/National Park Service as additionally insured. The minimum amount of the liability coverage is $1,000,000.00.

• All participants/attendees must remain on paved surfaces.

• Vehicles are not allowed in the Lighthouse area.

• The permittee shall reimburse the park for administrative, recoverable, and unbudgeted costs.

• The permittee must comply with the conditions of the permit. Violation of any terms or conditions set forth in the permit may result in the revocation or suspension of the permit.

The issuance of a SUP for an event one year does not imply that any future similar requests will be approved. Furthermore, the granting of the permit does not constitute an implied nor expressed endorsement of any commercial product or service by Cabrillo National Monument or the National Park Service.

Pets

For the health and safety of native wildlife and your animal companions, pets are not allowed in the park, except in the coastal and tidepool areas. While there, they must be on a leash of no more than six feet. The National Park Service has prohibited pets on trails for many years. In particular, dogs can chase wildlife, pollute water sources, and can become defensive and dangerous in unfamiliar surroundings. These regulations protect both pets and wildlife from disease and each other, as frightened or surprised wildlife can be aggressive and could harm you or you pet.

If you bring a pet to the upper portion of the park, it must be left in your vehicle. Please note that there is no shade in the parking lots, and temperatures inside your vehicle can quickly rise to dangerous levels.

Service animals such as guide dogs are always allowed.

Rules to Protect the Tidepools

For the Health and Safety of Tidepool Critters

For all present and future visitors to experience and enjoy the healthy and diverse tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument, guidelines are needed to minimize the impacts on organisms from the high levels of visitation. The overriding consideration is the preservation of tidepool organisms, so no plant or animal should ever be disturbed if there is a possibility of injury. These organisms are best enjoyed in their natural state, so the best policy is to simply observe them where they are.

To protect tidepool inhabitants, the following guidelines have been prepared. Please take a moment to review them prior to your visit to the tidepools to ensure that tidepool critters stay healthy and safe.

• Many tidepool animals can be safely touched as long as it is done with great care and respect. A general guideline is to only touch animals as gently as you would your own eyeball. For example, anemones should not be poked and sea hares should not be squeezed.
• As a general rule, organisms should only be picked up if this may be accomplished easily.
• No organism attached to a surface should be removed by force, however slight. Many animals, such as limpets, chitons, barnacles, mussels, seastars, and urchins are attached directly to rocks (permanently or temporarily) and using force to remove them would be harmful to them.
• Animals that are actively swimming or moving away from people, or that resist being handled, should not be pursued or picked up.
• Animals such as lobsters or sea urchins, that are protecting themselves in crevices or under rocks should not be pulled free or picked up.
• Organisms such as octopus that are fragile, easily stressed, or sensitive to light and air should not be handled.

When handling animals that are easy to pick up, such as hermit crabs, please observe the following guidelines:

• Return organisms quickly to their original location and position. Handle them for short periods of time and return them to exactly where they were found. Very different environmental factors can exist between locations that are not far apart, and moving animals from where they are naturally found can expose them to harmful conditions.
• Rather than passing an organism around a group, one person should handle it gently, briefly show it to others, and then return it promptly to where it was found.
• An organism that was found in the water should only be handled in the water, rather than exposing it to air while handling it.
• Organisms that appear to be in the "wrong" place (e.g., it appears that a person has moved it from the lower intertidal to the upper intertidal) should not be disturbed unless it is clear that it has been artificially moved. When in doubt, ask a Park Ranger or Volunteer. Many intertidal organisms, such as sea hares, have adapted to short periods of exposure to air and naturally wander into the upper intertidal, but appear to be suffering and drying out. Well-meaning people can move animals away from their natural habitat into deeper waters, with unknown consequences. Less commonly, sometimes an organism is found that has clearly been harassed and moved (e.g., a seastar rolled in a ball on the beach). In these cases, contact a Park Ranger or Volunteer who will transport the animal to typical habitat for that species.
• Rocks should not be moved and should be left in their original location and orientation. Organisms living under the rocks have adapted to a certain environment, and rock-turning can harm them.
• Nothing, especially rocks, should be thrown in any area of the park. Rocks can do great damage when they land in the water, and continue to do damage as they are tossed by wave action.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the tidepool inhabitants by observation as much as possible. The following should not be introduced into the tidepool area:

• Containers, such as buckets or cups.
• Scraping, probing, or prying instruments such as spatulas, trowels, knives, screwdrivers or sticks.

Collection of any natural item, including living and dead organisms, shells or rocks, is strictly prohibited in any areas within or under the administration of Cabrillo National Monument, with the following exception:

• Finfish may be caught only with a valid State of California Fishing License, and in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and rules.

With your help, the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument will remain a healthy environment for the marine life that lives there, and will continue to be a prime example of this precious ecosystem for generations to come.

Permits - Weddings

WEDDINGS AT CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT

To help you determine if Cabrillo National Monument is the best choice for your wedding location, we offer the following guidelines:

• Permit fee: $75.00 This fee is non-refundable; however, time or date of wedding can be changed if there is no conflict with other weddings.

• Before completing the Wedding Permit Application, we highly recommend that you come up to the park to see the Bluff Event Site, to see if it will meet your needs.

• Weddings are permitted at the Bluff Event Site only. No area of the park is set aside for the exclusive use of any group; we simply allow weddings in this area of minimum visitor use.

• Maximum number of people: 100. The Bluff Event Site cannot accommodate more than this.

• Weddings are on a first come, first served basis.

• Due to the natural terrain of the area, set-ups such as chairs, carpet runners, arches, trellises, podiums, organs/pianos, or related items are not allowed.

• Non-amplified music from flutes, harps, guitars, etc. is permitted. Amplified music or public address systems are not allowed.

• Often there may be a guest who must sit down during the ceremony; someone may bring a chair for them and carry it out when leaving. Chairs may not be set up in advance of the ceremony.

• Flowers are permitted as long as they arrive and depart with the wedding party.

• No rice, birdseed, flower petals, etc. may be thrown or left in the park.

• Vehicles must park in the main parking area. Disabled persons may be driven to the lighthouse area with advance permission.

• Weddings may not start later than 90 minutes before park closing time (4:45 PM Memorial Day through Labor Day and 3:45 PM the remainder of the year).

• Receptions are not permitted within the park.

• There is no alternate location for the ceremony in case of inclement weather.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For further information, please contact:

Laws & Policies

To Protect Visitors and Resources: Policies and Regulations

In accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR), Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 16 United States Code, Section 3, the following regulatory provisions are established for the proper management, protection, government, and public use of those portions of Cabrillo National Monument under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7.

I. 36 CFR 1.5 - Visiting Hours, Public Use Limits, Closures, and Area Designations for Specific Use or Activities

(a)(1) The following visiting hours and

public use limits are established for all or for

the listed portions of the park, and the

following closures are established for all or

a portion of the park to all public use or to a

certain use or activity:

Visiting Hours

The following are the established hours for

areas within Cabrillo National Monument:

Visitor Center Building Complex

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Radio Station

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The following areas are closed in the evenings

at the times listed below until Catalina Post 2

Gate is closed. The areas are accessible by

the public at all other times when Catalina

Post 2 Gate is open.

Bayside Trail

Closed at 4:00 PM

Tidepool Area (Cabrillo Road)

Closed at 4:30 PM

Cabrillo National Monument

Closed at 5:00 PM

Special note: The Superintendent may extend hours during the summer months per memorandum.

Public Use Limits

Tidepool Group Use: The use of the tidepools by groups is not to exceed 120 persons on weekdays and 80 persons per day on weekends and holidays.

Parking around the Old Point Loma Lighthouse is limited only to visitors that have obtained a parking pass from the park due to handicap, age, or other physical reasons that would inhibit them from otherwise walking to the lighthouse. Permit holders must park in the designated parking spaces south of the lighthouse.

Closures

All unpaved areas are closed to the public in order to protect the coastal sage scrub environment and to provide visitor safety with the following exceptions:

Tidepool closure: To protect the tidepool flora and fauna from the negative impacts of visitor use and allow it to recover, the Superintendent has designated the southernmost section as critical habitat and closed it to public entry. The closed area extends west 300 yards from the mean low tide and will be clearly posted with Area Closed signs and barricades during low tides. Information will be posted at the tidepool bulletin board informing visitors that a zone closure is in effect.

Sea Cave area closure: The area which lies west of the fence which extends along the west edge of the Sea Cove parking area (parking area #3), north to the Wastewater Treatment Facility property, and south to the Coast View parking area (parking area #2) is closed to the public. Included in this area is a sea cave. This closure extends to any manner of entry into the cave, whether through the sea level entrances or through the collapsed ceiling.

Military structures closure: The interior portions of all historic U.S. Army structures, including searchlight shelters, the WWII power generating station, and the base end and battery commander stations, are closed to the public unless they are specifically opened by the park staff for interpretive purposes.

The following restrictions and/or conditions are in effect for the specific uses or activities noted:

II. 36 CFR 1.6 - Activities that Require a Permit

(f) The following is a compilation of those activities for which a permit from the Superintendent is required:

- Tidepool Group Permit

- Lighthouse parking

- (a)(2) Operating a chainsaw in a

developed area

- (a)(3) Operation of any type of

portable motor or engine, or

device powered by a portable motor

or engine in non-developed areas

- (a)(4) Operation of a public address

system in connection with a public

gathering or special event for which a

permit has been issued pursuant to

- (c)(1) Removal of a downed aircraft

- (b) Use or possess fireworks

- (b) Still photography of vehicles, or

other articles of commerce or models

for the purpose of commercial

advertising

III. General Regulations

36 CFR 2.1 - Preservation of Natural, Cultural, and Archaeological Resources

(a)(5) The following conditions are in effect for walking, climbing, entering, ascending, or traversing the listed archaeological or cultural resources, monuments, or statues:

(b) Hiking or pedestrian traffic is restricted to the trail tread or walkway on the following trails/walkways:

36 CFR 2.15 - Pets

(a)(1) The following structures and/or areas are closed to the possession of pets:

36 CFR 2.21 - Smoking

(a) The following portions of the park, or all or portions of buildings, structures, or facilities are closed to smoking:

36 CFR 2.23 - Recreation Fees

(b) Recreation fees, in accordance with 36 CFR part 71, are established for the following entrance fee areas, and/or for the use of the following specialized sites, facilities, equipment, or services, or for participation in the following group activity, recreation events, or specialized recreation uses:

- Vehicle: $5.00

- Individual: $3.00

- Annual Cabrillo Park Pass: $15.00

- Interagency Pass: $80.00

- Interagency Senior Pass: $10.00

- Interagency Access Pass: Free

(c) The collection of recreation fees will be suspended during the following period(s):

36 CFR 3.21 - Swimming and Bathing

(a)(1) The following areas are closed to swimming and bathing:

36 CFR 4.11 - Vehicle Load, Weight, and Size Limits

(a) The following load, weight, and size limits, which are more restrictive than State law, apply to the roads indicated under the terms and conditions, and/or under permit as noted:

36 CFR 4.21 - Speed Limits

(b) The following speed limits are established for the routes/roads indicated: