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Free Traveling Guides » States » California » San Diego
Point Loma Peninsula
Point Loma Peninsula is a hilly peninsular in San Diego that is bordered on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean, the east by the San Diego Bay and Old Town and on the north by the San Diego River. It is Point Loma Peninsula that separates the San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean along with North Island and Silver Strand.
Point Loma Peninsula is an excellent place to watch migratory grey whales that traverse these waters between December and March. You can also visit the Old Point Loma Lighthouse or learn the history of early San Diego with a visit to the Cabrillo National Monument which located at the southern end of the peninsula.
While going to or returning from Point Loma Peninsula you can visit the Sunset Cliffs Park or enjoy the surf at Ocean Beach. At Ocean Beach you can visit the 1,971-foot Ocean Beach Fishing Pier which is located at the north end of Point Loma Peninsula and is believed to be the longest fishing pier on the west coast. If you are traveling with your pet then Dog Beach is the place for you. Dog Beach is at the north end of Ocean Beach and it is one of the few places in San Diego where your pet can play un-leashed in the surf and sand.
Point Loma Peninsula was discovered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo of Spain when he out to explore the now west coast of the United States in a three vessel armada.
Cabrillo National Monument, located at the tip of Point Loma Peninsula, just west of San Diego, commemorates Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s voyage. It was established in 1913 and has a Visitor Center along with an Exhibit Hall showcasing Cabrillo’s life.
A drive to Cabrillo National Monument is well worth the time and effort as it will take you through diverse areas illustrating the history of the peninsula. The residential neighborhoods in Point Loma Peninsula were established by fisherman and the types of homes are varied today with small cottages nestling besides multi-million mansions. One can also visit Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery which was established in 1934 and honors 86,000 veterans and their dependants. Catalina Boulevard is the 59-mile scenic drive and it offers beautiful and breathtaking views of the ocean and city when one is driving down to Cabrillo National Monument.
The Old Point Loma Lighthouse was established on November 15, 1855 and it stood guard over the entrance of San Diego Bay for 36 years before being shut down on March 23, 1891. The lighthouse has been refurbished to what it was in the 1880s and displays, brochures and ranger talks give an interesting insight into the lighthouse’s past.
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