Anything about nature has to be 5 stars. The ocean, the waves, the tide coming in and out, the ocean spray. This visit to the tide pools was more of a walk along the trails. The views and trails are spectacular. Portions of the trail can be steep with large steps, take your time while you're trekking along. You will need to visit during low tide if you will explore the actual tide pools rather than traveling on the trails. Tide pools are best accessed from the 1st / main parking lot. I opted to park at the farther north parking lot and explore the trails heading south. If you review the map you can see the first parking lot with restrooms marked, then if you take the fork to the right, there are 2 more smaller parking lots. The walk from the farther north parking lots, to the mail parking lot is a distance so best to decide before you get there if you need to use the restroom. The entrance road is Cabrillo Road, and it makes a sharp turn towards the farther parking lots. To get to the Point Loma Tide Pools and the trails you are entering the Cabrillo National Monument and there is a fee for admission; I opted to purchase an annual pass for a small amount more than the daily fee. There are several different National Park Passes; if you like to visit many, consider the America the Beautiful pass and you can save a lot. I do recommend the Point Loma Tide Pools and trails, you can visit the Tide Pools and Cabrillo National Monument with your 1 admission price and there are so many things to see. Use caution and review the signage at the tide pools/trails, keep kids close and don't stand at the edge for photos and turn your back to the ocean. You'll be able to set up a great shot even if you're not near the edge. There are plenty of plants and squirrels around, remember you're in a National Park so nothing should be disturbed while you're there. Keep it nice for years to come. Add this to your places to see when you are in San Diego. Even has a local, I hadn't been here (that I can remember) and I've been back a few times since my first visit in March 2025. fthathteoi ncntehthe ht ajdhtgthae ihatie hait he inghggti nadh read more

Point Loma Tide Pools - Ocean views are spectacular from the vantage points. - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

Yes, you should absolutely visit the Point Loma Tide Pools but know before you go: 1. Only come during low tide. There are two low tides and two high tides a day. The information is available online. I believe the tide pools are closed during high tide and for very good reason. 2. The tide pools are located within the Cabrillo National Monument park which means you will have to pay to visit them. This isn't like going to the beach for free. We paid $20 and you can visit both the tide pools and the monument/lighthouse, if you like. 3. Yes, parking is tough but the lot is fairly large and the spots turn over regularly. Apparently, there are two lots. I completely ignored the "LOT FULL" sign and found an open spot in seconds. 4. Wear shoes appropriate for climbing on and over rocks. This isn't like going to the beach and dipping your tootsies in the water. If you have decent balance, even better. You don't want to fall on these rocks. This ain't "a day at the beach." This is straggling over rocks to find sea life in tide pools. This is a spectacular location for tide pooling. You will probably see crabs, including lots of hermit crabs, anemones, small fish, and maybe even medium-sized fish. We even saw an absolutely enormous sea hare (or sea slug). It was black as night and easily half the size of a small cat. We also saw a brittle star, which is a type of small, squiggly star fish. You could spend an hour to two hours here and this is a must-do attraction if you live in San Diego or are visiting. You cannot find this kind of tide pooling just anywhere. read more

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TIPS/NOTES Entry: Pay/show ID and pass through Cabrillo National Monument Fee Entry Booth to get to the Tide Pools. Parking: two lots adjacent to trails lead to the Tide Pool. Restroom: available on site. Hours: 9am-4:30pm - a shame this spot isn't open til sunset. read more

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The trails are beautiful. Although it wasn't low tide, the high tide gave us another perspective. He really enjoyed being an outdoors on a beautiful sunny day in California. The cliffs were amazing, we love watching the birds and the sea lions.. I WOULD RECOMMEND read more

Love the tidal pools here! There is a small parking lot but there were lots of people coming and going so we didn't have to wait long for a spot on a Saturday late afternoon when we were there. Unfortunately the tide was high so we couldn't go down to the beach. But it was still very nice to walk along the cliffs. It would be beautiful at sunset! read more

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Beautiful experience watching the sea lions. The beach was breathtaking, swimmers in the water, sun was shining can't really ask for anything better! read more

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Compared to a lot amazing hikes in the SD area this is rather under the radar and I think we like it that way. Dog friendly and easy and beautiful hike with young children as well. If you need a greater test , hike all the way up to the Point Loma lighthouse. Only issue is parking is rather limited so get there early. Downtown is also a short drive with plenty of great food options read more

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The Point Loma Tide Pools are arguably one of the best in San Diego. It's located down the hill in Cabrillo National Monument so there's a fee to get in. Make sure you plan your day by going when the tide is at its lowest. On a busy day, the main parking lot might fill up fast but there's another smaller one further down the road. And if that's filled up, you could potentially park on top of the hill by the lighthouse and walk down to the pools. Also, there are two bathrooms right before the path down to the water. I overheard the park ranger explain that the tides start coming in within the hour after the low point so you want to aim to be there an hour before to give you some time to explore the pools. Unfortunately, the tide was slowly coming back in and there were a lot of areas that weren't really reachable. Well, they're reachable but I wasn't dressed properly to go that deep. In March, the water is pretty chilly but you get used to it wading around. Rocks can be slippery, especially if they look green so wear something that has good traction! We saw a ton of crabs, sea snails, hermit crabs, anemones, and small fish. Pretty typical tide pool critters and I wonder what else was hiding in the deeper pools around the rocks. Great place to spend the day and even if you don't go into the water, the surrounding areas were really green with wildflowers due to the recent storms. read more

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CA 01-2024 Cabrilla Point Tidal Pool Point Park in San Diego California #bucketlisttriplisatony2024 Tony and I entered the park ran by the National Park Services. Luckily I have my All Access Pass so our entry was Free saving us $35 We drove down the mountain, parked and walked out the path along the rocks to view the wide path to rock cliffs to view the Tidal pools. You are NOT ALLOWED to remove anything and take home not even seashells. I was able to capture some great photos. Highly recommend to all if you can read more

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Accessibility: There is handicapped parking, but it is a dirt pathway with stairs to get to the tide pool area. Experience: beautiful place, beautiful views, but please DO NOT GET NEAR THE CLIFF EDGES. Please also do not climb down low on the rocks and get caught in the water when the tide rises quickly. Be smart. Don't risk your life. And do not pick up rocks or seashells here...leave everything as it is. Respect nature. Take only photos. Cost: $20 per vehicle (you can have multiple people inside). read more

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This magical place! The Point Loma Tide Pools kind of stole my heart a little bit. Okay... A LOT bit! I couldn't get enough of them. The tide pools and the views of the San Diego Coastline are just straight numbing. So gorgeous. My little eyes could barley take in all of this beauty. The Point Loma Tide Pools are located within Cabrillo National Monument. You can get here by taking a windy side road that will lead you down to the trailhead. The trail is pretty short and easy, but tennis shoes are recommended to scale up and down the many steps on the trail. As you traverse the sanded path, you'll be met with the most breathtaking views of the ocean waves crashing against the vibrant coastline and of course; those tide pools! Yaaasss! Lots of amazing tide pool action here. Parking is pretty easy and there were plenty of spots available when I stopped by. This part of the monument closes by 4:30, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get there earlier. Since it's coastal, the winds will be whipping! Bring a sweater if you get cold easily (even on the warmer days). You can take the stairs all the way down to the tide pools if you have the time. You'll get real up close and personal. The views are still lovely from up above too if you don't want to (or don't have the time to) hike down to the bottom. There are restrooms near the start of the trail and there was even a ranger on site to answer questions. I should also note that if you don't have a National Park Pass, that it'll cost $20 to enter (this also includes entry to other areas of Cabrillo National Monument).Such a wonderful experience here! If you're visiting Cabrillo National Monument, don't forget stop at the Point Loma Tide Pools while you're there. read more

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This is one of my favorite places. Not just compared to other things to do in SD- but anywhere. This is a MUST do when I have friends and family in town who want to experience the west coast. (I'm a transplant, originally from GA). I love coming at low tide and carefully walking around exploring. There are so many tiny crabs to watch. You can find little fish. I also just love sitting on a rock and enjoying the view. Parking is harder during low tide in my experience, because people stay and explore longer. The other day I came during high tide and WOW! This was absolutely incredible. I've never experienced waves like that. We got sprayed a few times, definitely stay away from the edge and keep small children close. Nature is unpredictable. I can see how conditions can change making this a dangerous activity in an instant. The day we came at high tide there was also a general surf advisory for the coast so it may have been extra intense. Gah- it was incredible. I love it here. Go and have an amazing experience. Or don't go and save the parking for the rest of us haha. read more

These tide pools are located on the southwestern tip of Point Loma within the boundaries of Cabrillo National Monument. Most visitors will view the lighthouse and monument first before heading down the slope to see the tide pools on the way out. That was what our group did on a recent admission-free Saturday. The operating hours are from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm so plan accordingly because the closing time is 30 minutes earlier than CNM. The parking near the tide pools is limited with the main lot and two overflow lots further north. The rangers had closed the access road when we made an initial attempt because there were already too many vehicles parked. Luckily for us, the closure was only going to last for another 15 minutes as several groups were departing. Cellular phone service is very spotty at best in this area which means extra coordination should be done if you have a large party and/or multiple vehicles. The Coast Trail is about a 0.5 mile path along the rocks that border the shoreline. You get a marvelous view of the ocean to the west and can see ships in the distance. If you have binoculars and the right timing, migrating gray whales may even be visible. Parts of the trail let you walk all the way down to the shore. If you own water shoes, then wear them because it will help if the footing becomes slippery from the moisture on the rocks. It's good to know if you are visiting during low, medium, or high tide. At the trough times, the tide pools give a brilliant snapshot of the sea life that dots the shallow waters. Starfish, octopus, crabs, fishes, snails, and different plants are all residents who become much more visible when the tide has receded. It's a great place to bring the kids for some fun and education simultaneously. I have brought out of town visitors to this spot on various occasions, and it has never failed to deliver a memorable experience. read more

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Very cool place, views are phenomenal. I would check when low tide is before you go if you are set on seeing the tide pools. Also there is a $20 charge to get into the area as it is a National Park. Very worth it for the sweeping views of the Ocean, downtown San Diego and Coronado Island read more

Point Loma Tide Pools - Cabrillo National Monument - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

Great place! You need to look ahead of time to make sure you arrive at the right time to see the tide pools. When we went, we saw an OCTOPUS! I felt like I was in a nature documentary... Like how many people can say they saw a live wild octopus? Super cool experience. This place is so awesome (though slippery - be careful! Don't be like me, I fell into the water)! Be cautious because it is rocky. Wear good shoes. This is not the place for a cute/expensive outfit. read more

Point Loma Tide Pools - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

This is such a wonderful place to visit. Every visit there is always something different. Different flowers, creatures, wave patterns....just total fun. The trails to the tide pools are easy. Definitely bring proper footwear and if you plan on really exploring the pools prepare to get wet. There is a ranger there who gladly helps people identify things. On one visit a ranger gave an education on how the pools were nurseries for the fish. On our recent one a ranger had a small crowd as there was actually an octopus in the pools. She did a great job of helping us try to catch a glimpse as well as keeping us away for its safety. Props to them! There are two lots both of which are small and you could have a wait. That's the only drag I can think of. I suggest getting the annual pass to the park. In lovely San Diego you could visit all year and each time will be great. read more

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One of the most beautiful places in San Diego. Definitely check this place out! Accessible on a trail with a road that's under the main Cabrillo National Monument area. We were here in the afternoon and the tide was rising quickly but we were able to still climb down onto some rocks although beware of getting splashed. There is a small bathroom and there are also three parking lots all starting the trail from different points. Not shaded at all so wear sunscreen and bring lots of water it gets hot. We were still able to see a couple crabs and stuff in the water and on the rocks despite the high tide. read more

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Really terrible compared to the UCSD Scripps Pier area. Only 30mins after a -0.4 tide. There were a few small crabs and some anemone, although lots of sea grass. You'll need to step into water for further access. read more

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Be prepared to be blown away by the beauty that the Point Loma Tide Pools and Coastal Trail have to offer! There is a beautiful coastal trail that takes you to the tide pools, where you will find a collection of wildlife on the rocks and in the tide pools. The view is absolutely stunning! The trail is super easy and you can even wear flip flops (I did). read more

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The tide pools provide a lot of children to explore, low tide is the most ideal time to come in while a lot of the marine creatures can be seen. We easily spent 3-4 hours just to explore and joined a small hike to the parking lot. There's also a lot of phenomenal views to see composition of rocks, kids were able to climb up and down the hills. read more

Cabrillo is a national park so make sure you use your park pass if you have one, about $80 for the year, otherwise price is kind of steep for a single visit $20 for a car of 4 adults. Great views here of the Pacific ocean, Fort Rosecrans cemetery, the light house, Coronado island and bridge, the bay, the hotel Del, etc. There are trails to explore, tide pools, a visitor center, and so much to see. Great for taking photos. Many vantage points down by the tide pools, and up by the light house, and visitor center. Definitely a good place for visitors and first timers, out of town guests, etc. It is definitely touristy and crowded, but plenty of parking, once you get in. The Tide pools are good at low tide, and they are not too hard to get around on, but can be slippery, and not for people who are out of shape or have bad knees. You have to climb down from the rocks, there are no stairs. Parking is a major hassle as the lot is small and always crowded, there is always a queue of cars waiting and hawking for someone to leave so they can grab their spot. There are some cool trails down the coast from the tide pools, and plenty of resting brown pelicans, so bring your camera for good photo opps. The coast is cool, jagged, rocky, and sometimes the waves shoot up from them almost like a blowhole. The rangers are a little touchy around 5 pm closing time and will definitely try to get you to leave. There are bathrooms by the parking lot. read more

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Hiking, climbing, and critters. After a 15 minute crawl approaching the entrance gate, the friendly park ranger walked down the line of cars. I rolled down the passenger window. He has pre-printed receipts, so $20 cash bypasses the charge card line waiting at the gate. Cha-ching! Also, regular admission is good for a week so you can return to check out the Cabrillo Monument and those spectacular ocean views We've been to the monument and lighthouse too, but this time we made the right turn after the entry gate and cruised down the hill towards the tide pool parking lot, which was full. Womp womp. All I can say is patience and good luck. A park ranger drove over to clear traffic lanes and regulate the small parking lot because a couple of scumbag drivers jumped out of line to poach parking spaces as people walked back to their car. Apparently there is a second parking lot that isn't as congested with access to other tide pools. Sunday funday at the tide pools was a neat adventure. people and a few puppers exploring the area. Plenty of walking and slippery rocks. The kiddos slipped and splashed a couple of times as expected. We especially enjoyed them getting to pick up hermit crabs, touch anemones, and closely watch barnacles slowly wiggle on their rocky surfaces. After getting past the parking lot challenge, checking out this side of the coast was neat. read more

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Excellent place to take the family. This is part of the national park network where if military you can get annual membership free of charge. I suggest checking the tide schedule before venturing out and low tide is ideal. Walk with caution as some of the rock are slippery and I recommend wearing water shoes. Parking is limited, so get there early! We found miniature crabs, conchs, tiny fishes, and starfish between rocks. Tons of seaweeds and seagrass. Beautiful scenery sprawling with wild flowers and colorful plants. One of the best places to take the kids in San Diego - hours of entertainment and cheap! read more

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I visited the Point Loma Tide Pools recently. The tide pools are in the Cabrillo National Park. The car entry fee into the park was $15 and is good for the rest of the week. Keep the receipt as proof l to re-enter.. The ranger will provide you a brochure with a map. You can't get lost, their is only one road which is easily marked and the place shuts down before it gets dark. Other sights to see at the park are the visitor center (museum, ranger talks), Point Loma lighthouse, Cabrillo monument, hiking trails, and vista points. Onto the tide pools. Follow the road sign to get there. Park you car in the lot. Head to the path. The rangers set up a table along the oath. They told us there was no viewable tide pools today. We chatted with them for a bit.they advised the best time of the year for the active tide pools are October through the winter months. Both rangers were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and welcoming. Great attitudes. Now onward on the path, down some dirt packed stairs and to the overlook. The path leads to the top of a bluff. Gorgeous views of the PA-Ci-FIC ocean and bluffs with its beautiful multicolored rock straitens. If you want to go down close see to the shoreline, proceed with caution at your own risk. It can be rocky outcroppings.I can imagine it to be a wet slippery trek in the active tide pool months though. Always never turn your back on the ocean and do not... do not go out towards the ocean. read more

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$15 to enter the park via car. Fantastic tidal pools, and they had a guide there. Check out the tidal times, though, if you're not within an hour of the tidal lows (before or after), it'd be difficult to walk through. Come here prepared to wade. If you have a wetsuit, or climbing acumen, you can get around to the less traveled spaces and see the anemone, the periwinkles, cockles, and more - great views of the sea and coast here and the stones. Note the tidal pool section is closed at 4:30pm. There are a couple points past that which are open a half hour later, but it's mostly for the view there and not tidal pools. Notes: No starfish as of 8/2018 as there was a disease that wiped 90% of them out, unfortunately. Will take time to recover. Also, zero cell reception here. So if you Uber or something, you need to coordinate when to be picked up, or get stranded. read more

Point Loma Tide Pools - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

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The California coast, beauty at it's best. You must enter the Point Loma State Park entrance. There is a $15 entry fee that you can use unlimited for 7 days. The fee is well worth it because there are several other monuments/landmarks and trails that make up the entire Point Loma. Upon entering, take the 2nd right and follow the road down to the Tide Pools. The views are amazing and there plenty of vantage points for photo opts. Hiking trails are easy. Make sure to bring sunscreen and water to hydrate. We arrived early before the crowds, so there were plenty of parking spots open, but keep in mind very few spaces though. There is also a bathroom facility there too. A must see when in San Diego! read more

Point Loma Tide Pools - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

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I love Cabrillo - I think it is such a gorgeous area to spend a few hours. Love the Bayside trail (check out separate review) however it does not let you get up close and personal with the ocean. This is where the Tide Pools/Sea Cove area really shines. The parking lot for the tide pools is pretty small unfortunately but if you keep driving, there will be additional parking. It's a short walk (unless you park a bit further) down to the water. You can climb down in some spots and hang out right at the edge. If you want to see sea critters, check the tide schedule so you can come at low tide. We did not. It was still nice though - lots of waves. Watch out - I saw someone get completely soaked. It's beautiful and peaceful - the smell of the ocean water, the warm sun, the soothing sound of crashing waves. Pure bliss. Directions: After the payment booth ($10 or free with annual pass), you make a right versus going straight toward the Visitor Center (and museum and monument and trail). Drive briefly and you will see the first parking area. read more

Point Loma Tide Pools - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

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Probably one of my favorite spots in San Diego for a nature walk along the coast. Between the gorgeous views and the sound of crashing waves, it's very peaceful and relaxing from the bustle of the city. The beach area is pretty nice - lots of flat surfaces along the cliff for picnicking or sitting. The tide pools themselves are plentiful with snails and tiny crabs. You do have to pay an entrance fee of $10 since it's part of the Cabrillo National Monument park, but I think it's worth it. As you take the scenic drive down to the tide pools, you'll run into the 1st parking lot. This lot tends to get full really quick as it gives the quickest access to the tide pools (it's a short walk) and is near the bathroom facilities. There's a second parking lot if you drive further along - there's a trail outside of the parking lot to get you to the cliff area. Getting down to the tide pools requires a bit of footwork as the incline is very steep. You can still access the area near the 1st parking lot by walking along the trail - it's still a nice/fun walk. When I was there they even had yellow flowers blooming, making for gorgeous photo opps. If both parking lots are full, you can continue to drive down and there will be a 3rd parking lot. There's not really much here aside from a nice bench overlooking the water, and there's no trail access - you'll have to walk along side the road to get to the 2nd parking lot, the head to the tide pools from there. Last resort, but it's an option. Highly suggest wearing proper secure footwear, preferably the kind would good tread and you don't mind getting wet. I was silly and wore TOMs... and it made going down some of the steep inclines and rocks a little more challenging. Plus since we were wearing shoes, we kept trying to avoid getting them wet. "Hiking" sandals with straps recommended! Also the bathrooms near the 1st parking lot are super gross - try to go to the bathroom at the visitor's center at the top before heading down. Much cleaner. Also, I find it amusing people gave it bad reviews because of how they couldn't see the tide pools... if you plan on coming here, check out when it's low tide. Seriously. I've been here during high tide and low tide, and I can say there's a big difference in how high the water gets, which limits the areas you can walk. You'll want to come here early anyways, as the tide pools close at 4 pm regardless of the season, and the entire area closes at 5 pm. Regardless, I do recommend coming here. It'd be the perfect spot for a photo shoot too, as the fields of flowers and ocean views are the perfect setting. Seriously, I think the photos I've posted speak more than what I can write about the natural beauty... plus they don't do this place justice. read more

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I love Point Loma and visiting the tide pools was really neat! My friend and I had planned to do a photoshoot elsewhere but an impromptu visit to the Point Loma Tide Pools came just after I checked the tide levels the night before arrival. We were on our way down to Point Loma early the next morning. We made our way through check in and paid for parking at $10, which was good for the week. On our way to the tide pools, we passed through the cemetery and saw the Cabrillo National Monument and the lighthouse next to it. We continued down the road and found parking for the tide pools. There were three different lots and we parked at the furthest lot, which was vacant. As we got out of the vehicle, we marveled at the panoramic view of the ocean, the picturesque sandstone walls, the cliffs, and the fresh ocean breeze. A local welcomed us and gave us great tips on the easiest and safest way down to the tide pools. We made the trek down with her toward the middle lot and descended down the trail leading to the tide pools. It was fairly easy but I can see that it may be difficult for those with foot or knee problems, or for anyone not wearing proper footwear. The sand along the wooden, manmade steps can cause one to slip so you must take precaution and be careful. Some of the steps are steeper than others and having a helping hand nearby is ideal but not necessary. Once you get to the tide pools, there are a lot of wet spots and areas where you'll get sea-sprayed. Definitely necessary to be careful if you have little ones. I was really nervous watching a family letting their kids run around the rocks freely. There are restrooms around the first parking lot or up the hill at Cabrillo National Monument. Wish I got a chance to check out the secret beach cave but the tides were getting higher so we had to start heading back up. It was fun seeing seaspray coming up through the tide pool cavities. Overall, very picturesque, a bit risky but quite breathtaking! read more

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My 5yo daughter loves sea creatures so while we were in SD for a few days it was our last stop before heading back home. Check their website to make sure when it's low tide so that you can fully experience the tide pools. There is a short walk down to the tide pools and one you get down there wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet. I wore sneakers and then changed into flip flops and then eventually went barefoot in the water. My daughter wore some water shoes that worked well when stepping over rocks. We got to see a lot of small crabs, sea anemones, hermit crabs, small whelks shells, sea grass. It was exciting to see her excited about exploring. There are helpful volunteers to answer any questions you might have. Bathroom on-site. Entry fee is $10 but it's good for 7 days. read more

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Beautiful scenery with great ocean views! Came here sunday 4/2/23, and only stayed here for 40 minutes because I was on a tight schedule but I just had to stop here, I just wished I had more time to explore the trails. I paid $20 for parking, but parking was hard to find on a sunday around 12:30pm but we luckily managed to catch someone leaving so we luckily didnt spend too much time looking for parking. The views were immediately breathtaking as we followed the trail that led us down to the tidepools. We came at low tide so that we would be able to find some sea creatures in the tidepools. We found lots of crabs and what appeared to be some sea anemones. I definitely recommend bringing some watershoes or sandals you dont mind getting wet, because I tried to cross some of the water without shoes and the rocks hard and slippery so I almost slipped and fell a few times. Since I only stayed here for a short time, I will definitely be coming back here and explore more of the trails around here the next time I visit San Diego. read more

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"Adventure is out there". Is you like exploring tide pools, hiking sand and rocks, and seeing Mexico off in the distance-this is the place for you. The only negative is that they closes at 5. Let me repeat that THE WHOLE PLACE closes at FIVE. So if you're on pittsburgh time or any other time, just know you won't be watching the sunset there. Although there are places near by that are exceptional for sunsets and exploring dunes and ocean. You have to pay to get into the state park but it the pass that's good for a week so you could potentially spend multiple days exploring there if you have time. It is beautiful. I would also suggest it for photo shoots. read more

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I dont know how I missed adding my review of the Tide Pools, but there's no time like now! One of my favorite places to stop on every trip to Cali. There is an entrance fee, but worth it. The views are great, you can check out the old lighthouse, venture down the cliff, (slippery be careful), and find so many neat things. There are many small caves to explore or just sit near the top and enjoy like my Dad does. While there we've seen many different things. A beautiful anemone, crabs, different shells. My kids love it and look forward to it every year. read more

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Inside the U.S. Dept of the Interior's Cabrillo National Monument, the Point Loma Tide Pools are arguably *the* attraction to see once you are inside the park. Inside the park, you have several overlooks of San Diego harbor and a perch for whale watching. There is a small museum for the old lighthouse as well. Each of these only take a few minutes to see. The tide pools, however, can take you several hours depending on the season. We have visited when the tide pools were wholly inaccessible (photos from that trip below), but the experience is still well worth it. There is a small trail along the cliffs, and you can be as risky as you want to get down to the rocks. Waves will crash and spray straight up and potentially soak you, so be warned. On another occasion, we visited when the tide was out. If you have proper footwear like Chaco's, you can walk through the tide pools for as long as you like searching for sea anemones, snails, crabs, barnacles, limpets, and mussels. I never saw anything else, though apparently octopuses are a possible sighting. Pro Tip: Be sure to take one of the laminated sealife guides from the brown metal case at the beginning of the trail. Link for when to visit the tide pools: https://www.nps.gov/cabr/learn/nature/visiting-the-tidepools.htm read more

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Favorite place in San Diego to have an adventure. Definitely wear tennis shoes that you don't mind getting wet. There were times I had to walk knee deep water to cross each cliff. (That's if you're feeling really adventurous) otherwise there are spots you can just hang around without getting wet. $10 entry fee and go during low tide! Parking is horrible. The reason why I love this spot is the water is so blue in this area. You are high enough that you can see the ocean above and on the other side you can see downtown San Diego. You get to see small sea critters like crabs, urchins and more. You may see some sea lions. The hidden beach or cave is amazing. It's definitely hidden because you have to sneak inside a hole in order to find it. read more

Point Loma Tide Pools - The hidden beach/cave. - Beaches Near Me - San Diego, California

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This has to be one of the best places I visited in San Diego on my 2nd time... I'm actually kicking myself that I didnt come here the first time. I was told this was pretty amazing but I was not prepared. I know the view from up above at Cabrillo monument gives you that incredible depth of blue ocean with cresting waves rolling into the coastline. When you're at the Tidal Pools below... it's another beauty altogether. The way the sun bounces off the different textures and colours of the western side of Point Loma is magical. I think my mouth was on the floor when I stepped down and saw it for what it truly was. It was majestic and completely peaceful. If you know those waves soundtracks... I swear they recorded them here. The park does close early because it doesn't want people to accidentally walk off the cliffs here... and it can easily happen. There are no barriers and no clear paths as you explore the area. Just your own common sense and hands to keep you from tipping over. It's completely worth it to figure out a way to get the exposed little pools that are rich in sea life. When I went, it was nearing low tide but not enough to see the larger pools with more animals. I did see the occasional tiny crab and a lot of barnacles that looks more alien than a usual mollusk. My favourite spot has to be where the lower tides exposes these dark rocks like random chess pieces thrown about and the clear sky just uses the clear calm water to be a mirror and reflect that vivid sapphire colour. I must have taken hundreds of pictures. I would definitely say that this was a complete highlight of the trip and a must do for anyone traveling to San Diego. read more

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Absolutely beautiful place and a must see! Me and my family enjoyed the view and getting the chance to take beautiful pictures of the natural scenery! read more

Make a trip down to the tip of Point Loma to explore the tide pools! It's best to go during low tide so you can see the little sea critters. Check the tide schedule before you go @ http://tides.mobilegeographics.com/locations/4770.html. Don't wear flip flops since the rocks can be very slippery. Best to wear sneakers, but they will get wet. I slipped a few times. On that note, probably not great for young children or the elderly if you plan on searching for the secret cave. I didn't get to the cave because it was closed off when I went. Even if you don't go down to the tide pools, the views of the waves and ocean are still gorgeous! $10 per car for entry. We got there around 9:30 on a Friday and had no issue with parking. read more

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Tide pools were not visible when we went but great views of really interesting rock formations and the ocean. Perfect place to watch the ocean!! It is a state park so there is an entrance fee ($15) and it closes pretty early in the day (4:30 when we were there in July) and you might have to wait awhile in your car to pay before entering. Also, you go through an area that looks like you're entering a military base with gates/security, just keep going! Hahaha read more

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Awesome place! Very interesting landscape nature and layers of the flat rocks with the ocean. We went there after Cabrillo National monument. It is not sunset time though but for sure sunset will be beautiful there too. read more