EXPLORE
CABRILLO
NATIONAL
MONUMENT
Visiting this expansive national
park—and location of Juan
Rodriguez Cabrillo’s historic
16th-century landing—is
a history lesson and nature
expedition rolled into one.
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive,
Point Loma
Visitor Center
Start your trip here and see the
“Age of Exploration” exhibit,
view the schedule of events, get
your National Parks Passport
stamped and look through the
bulls-eye of a lighthouse lens.
Hiking
Take in views of San Diego
Bay and the downtown skyline
on Bayside Trail or amazing
coastal views on the Coastal
Tidepool Trail.
Tide Pools
Come here at low tide to see
flowery anemones, octopi,
spongy deadman’s fingers and
other elusive sea creatures.
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Travel back in time to the 1800s
via this fully restored lighthouse, and take an interactive
history lesson in the adjacent
Assistant Keeper’s Quarters.
Military History
Learn about Fort Rosecrans
at the “They Stood the Watch”
exhibit inside a historical radio
station building.
USS MIDWAY MUSEUM
Relive nearly 50 years of world history on the
longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the
20th century. Admission includes a self-guided
audio tour through 60 exhibits, ranging from
a massive galley to the engine room; entry to
the new Battle of Midway Theater; and several
climb-aboard cockpits and aircraft.
910 Harbor Drive, downtown
HOTELS WITH HISTORY
Architecture fans should tour the city’s historical hotels. Top picks include downtown favorites, The US Grant (326 Broadway) and The
Horton Grand Hotel (311 Island Ave.), along
with La Jolla’s Grande Colonial Hotel (910
Prospect St.) and Coronado’s Hotel del Coronado (1500 Orange Ave.).
MARITIME MUSEUM OF SAN DIEGO
Climb aboard historical ships, ranging from an
American research submarine and the HMS
Surprise (star of Master and Commander and
Pirates of the Caribbean 4) to the iconic Star of
India, an iron sailing ship built in 1863.
1492 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero
FLYING LEATHERNECK AVIATION MUSEUM
Located on MCAS Miramar, this museum is
dedicated to preserving Marine Corps aviation
history. More than 30 aircraft are on display as
well as an exhibit honoring women in the
Marines from 1918 to the present.
T-4203 Anderson Ave., Miramar
OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO STATE PARK
Get a glimpse of life in the 1800s by exploring
the 17 museums and historical sites within this
compelling landmark, the first Spanish settlement
on the U.S. West Coast. The 12-acre park features
colorful shops, exciting eateries and early architecture like Casa de Estudillo, a 13-room adobe
hacienda with 16th- to 20th-century furnishings.
San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street, Old Town
History
San Diego is rich with blasts from the past, ranging from scenic parks stocked
with architectural wonders and historical buildings to museums, missions and
monuments, each with an enticing story to tell.
ARTS AND CULTURE
USS Midway Museum
SAN SALVADOR
The Maritime Museum of San Diego is recreating a fully functional and historically accurate replica
of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s flagship, San Salvador, the founding ship of San Diego and the state
of California. Visit the work-in-progress at Spanish Landing Park, across from the airport.
3900 N. Harbor Drive, downtown
