Cabrillo National Monument and Lunch

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 3, 2022

Cabrillo National Monument 

The Point Loma Lighthouse was built in 1854.  It was one of the first eight lighthouses built on the Pacific Coast.  For many years it was the highest coastal light in the country.  A new lighthouse was built at a lower elevation in 1891 because fog and low clouds often made the lights difficult to see.  In 1913, the old lighthouse became the site of Cabrillo National Monument and in 1932, it became "historical landmark #51" when registered by the state's Parks and Recreation Department. Cabrillo NM was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.  As many times as we have visited SD, this is still one of my favorite destinations.    

The Bayside Trail, starting at the Lighthouse and winding it's way down towards SD Bay, is a self-guided tour with lots of detailed signs describing the vegetation, habitat, and weather.   

The views are spectacular as far as the eye can see. 

The Coronado Bridge and SD skyline with the Laguna Mountains in the background... 

 

A searchlight shelter and power plant were built on the site in 1919 and used during WWI and WWII.  The buildings still stand with signage explaining.

Carol and Ronnie reading about the Power Plant.  This was their first time to do the trail. 

 

I love it when the Navy ships come by.  Joe, having been in the Navy back in the mid-sixties, was in and out of this port on the USS Ranger (CVA-61) and enjoy this view of the harbor.

When I'm not taking in all this...

This is Coronado Island.  The Hotel Del Coronado is on the right side and our puppies play at the beach on the left side closer to the Navy Base entrance.

...the little things catch my eye.

Also, it's pretty cool to note that Shaw's agave has historically only grown in extreme Southern California with the largest populations in the U.S. on the Point Loma Peninsula.  

It is here they take advantage of buffered temperatures and fog moisture.  

After a stop at the visitor center for post cards, it was off to lunch.  

About half way between Cabrillo and home is Point Loma Seafood.  It all started as a fresh seafood market back in the 60s. In the beginning, the market began preparing hot food for their employees and eventually these hot lunches became available to the public.  They still continue the traditions of selling fresh fish and fish processing for the sport fisherman which includes filleting, packaging, and customized smoking.  Today it was Alaskan fried cod, fries and slaw with a glass (or two) of Kelly's famous lemonade.  The restaurant which has been remodeled to accommodate more business (in the exact same place where it all started) is located on the bay. 

The food is yummy and the view is awesome.  But the best part of today was sharing it with friends.  I don't know why, but I'm getting a bit more mushy in my older age.  Anyhow, it was a wonderful beginning to January...stay tuned !

Until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS!

Oops...I forgot two photos I really liked.  The first one because I love the windswept trees at the ocean.

And the second one because the sunlight gives our flag a beautiful glow.

Ocean Beach, Wildlife Refuge, and Point Loma

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
January 2019

Ocean Beach 
Having visited this colorful neighborhood a couple of years ago with Lisa and Hans, we had an idea of what to expect and where to go at Ocean Beach.  Unfortunately, OB Municipal Pier was closed for repair from damage caused by strong winds and waves.

At 1,971 feet, OB Pier is the longest concrete pier on the West coast.  

 The tide was just right for a walk along the trail.  A small section of the trail is concrete.  Erosion has caused so much damage.

A different view of the Pier... 

 

Small cottages and bungalows line the narrow streets of this beachfront neighborhood.  

It was news to us that wild parrots are also part of the OB (and other urban beach communities in SD) culture.  Native to northern Mexico, it is believed these colorful birds came to California in search of a suitable habitat as areas of Mexico became deforested.  Food is plentiful...they survive on seeds, nectar, and fruit from tropical trees and shrubs.

Lunch at the beach is a real treat...especially when oysters are on the menu.  








In addition to 6 on the half shell, the days special was a fried oyster po-boy.  Yummy !

San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge

SD Bay NWR is located at the south end of SD near Chula Vista. Approximately 2,600 acres of land and water not only protects a diversity of migratory and native species of birds, but also protects what remains of SD Bay's historical coastal salt marsh and intercostal mudflat.  

The largest contiguous mudflat in So Cal.

Cabrillo National Monument/Point Loma

In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to set foot on what is now California.  

 This sandstone statue stands 14 feet tall,  weighs 14,000 pounds, and was dedicated in 1988.  

The park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.    

In addition to a great story lesson, the park is also home to a wealth of natural resources.  Bayside Trail was our reason for visiting the park.  It's a beautiful 2.5 mile hike with great views of the bay, Ballast Point (where Cabrillo landed), the skyline of San Diego, sandstone cliffs, and plant and animal life.

 

 There is also WWII history along the trail.

When we arrived at the park it was sunny!

The park is also home to one of eight original West Coast lighthouses.  The first lighthouse on Point Loma was in operation from 1855 to 1891.

Low-lying fog rolled in during the morning.  

The lighthouse was built on the highest point at Point Loma. It soon became apparent that low-lying fog obscured the light that shone above the fog bank making it useless.

After some fresh air, fresh seafood hit the spot.  









Known as "The Freshest Thing in Town" Point Loma Seafoods offers a huge selection of fresh caught fish.

Shrimp tacos 

You can choose to dine inside or outside.  But whichever you choose, don't forget Kelly's famous lemonade.  They also make their own sourdough bread.





That's a wrap on our San Diego visit.  We have been settled in at the Lazydays KOA since Feb 1.  The weather has not been all that great with cold nights and breezy, rainy chilly days, but we are visiting with friends, getting things done and necessary appointments taken care of.  More on that later.  

I'll close with a few random pictures from January.  Until next time...

Ocean Beach color...

The marina at Point Loma Seafoods

Quirky art at Ocean Beach

Ummm...

...nope!

Point Loma

Bayside Trail at Cabrillo NM

Galley At the Marina in Chula Vista for a sunset and fish and chips.

HAPPY TRAILS !