Oceanside Trail – Cabrillo National Monument

Oceanside Trail is a strenuous, 2.5-mile round-trip route in Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, California, featuring steep descents and panoramic ocean views. With its hillside stair steps and narrow switchbacks, this new addition to the park allows hikers to access the tidepool area without walking along the roadside.
While it’s a challenging hike, those who take on the steep bluff trails will be rewarded with historic coastal defense structures, rare coastal scrub habitats, and frequent shoreline vistas.
Trail Detail
Trail Type | Out-and-back |
Difficulty | Strenuous |
Length | 2.5 miles (round trip) |
Time | 1–2 hours |
Elevation Change | 340 feet |
Trailhead Coordinates | 32.6709526, -117.241504 |
Location | Cabrillo National Monument |
Season | Year-round |
Information Number | 619-523-4285 |
Getting to Oceanside Trailhead
If you’re driving from downtown San Diego, take Harbor Drive or Rosecrans Street to reach Catalina Boulevard and continue all the way south toward Cabrillo National Monument. Enter the monument and follow the main park road toward the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The trailhead begins at the top of the Whale Watch & Kelp Forest Overlook trail, just south of the lighthouse.
From Los Angeles or points north, take Interstate 5 South to San Diego. Exit at Rosecrans Street (California State Route 209) and follow it for about three miles until you can merge onto Catalina Boulevard. Continue straight into Cabrillo National Monument, pay the entry fee if applicable, and drive to the lighthouse area parking. The upper trailhead is located near the lighthouse.
The Trail

Starting near the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, the Oceanside Trail begins at the top of the Whale Watch & Kelp Forest Overlook and descends the western bluffs. You’ll notice an immediate sense of solitude as you move away from the main park road, trading car sounds for the crashing of ocean waves below. The first section of the trail is narrow and includes stair steps that help hikers navigate the steep initial slope.

As you continue, the trail snakes through undeveloped coastal scrub habitat—keep an eye out for hardy succulents and native shrubs adapted to the salty, windy conditions. You may also spot lizards, gulls, and other wildlife taking advantage of the relatively untouched ecosystem.
Midway down, the grade remains steep, with switchbacks that help control erosion and make the descent more manageable. Take advantage of occasional benches to catch your breath and enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Look inland for glimpses of the lighthouse perched on the bluff top, a reminder of the area’s long maritime history.

Further along, you’ll encounter remnants of coastal defense structures that date back to earlier military use of Point Loma. Though no longer active, these fortifications offer insight into the strategic importance of this coastal headland in past decades. After winding through more scrub vegetation, you’ll meet up with the Coastal Trail near the parking lot for the tidepool area. If conditions and tide schedules permit, explore the tidepools to see sea stars and other marine life.
When you’re ready, head back the way you came. The steep sections feel more intense on the return ascent, so pace yourself and bring plenty of water—especially during warmer months. While there are no restrooms or water stations on the trail, facilities and drinking fountains are available near the lighthouse and the parking lot.