Postcards from Around the World

Just west of downtown San Diego and on the other side of the water from the Coronado Naval Air Station sits the Point Loma Peninsula, known for its tide pools, sandstone cliffs, and the historic Cabrillo National Monument which commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542.

There are great views across to the harbour and San Diego region (Point Loma Naval Base in the foreground and the Naval Air Station on Coronado on the right).
This is the new Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego, California. It was in service from 1891-1997. The lens was removed and is now stored on site at the old Point Loma Lighthouse.

There are several hiking trails through the coastal sage scrub forest especially beautiful in spring with wildflowers. There are also tidal pools to explore which get very busy during the summer months.

Roads through the National Park
Scrubland
India Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepsis indica)

A little south of the lighthouse is the Whale Overlook. This vantage point offers pleasant views of the Pacific Ocean and the New Point Loma Lighthouse. Whales are often seen from here in January and February.

The Grey Whale statue
New Point Loma Lighthouse
A helicopter leaving North Island Naval Air Station against the impressive curved bridge to Coronado. The views from Cabrillo National Monument are impressive.

A short walk leads to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. This picturesque structure is restored to its 1880s appearance and presents life as it was for the lightkeepers and their families. In the adjacent Assistant Keeper’s Quarters, interactive exhibits tell the story of the Lighthouses of Point Loma and, in a nearby historic military building, the exhibit “They Stood the Watch” presents the history of Fort Rosecrans.

This is the old Point Loma Lighthouse. It was in service 1855-1891.
The statue viewing area is down a short walking path just off the traffic circle in front of the Visitor Centre.

Cabrillo led the first European expedition to set foot on what would become the west coast of the United States, and the first to chart the coast of California. Cabrillo departed from the port of Navidad, Mexico on June 27, 1542. Three months later he arrived at “a very good enclosed port,” which is known today as San Diego Bay. He later died during the expedition though his crew made it as far as Oregon before harsh winter storms forced them back to Mexico.

Downtown San Diego

We had an America the Beautiful pass which covered our vehicle entrance as we were planning on doing the Canyons Circle after leaving the city.

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

26 thoughts on “Postcards from Around the World”

  1. I’m loving this extended tour of parts of America Jude. It’s giving me a different view of a country I’ve only visited once – for two whole days!

    1. I had several trips to California once I stopped teaching. Should have never started! So I was lucky to have the opportunity to explore more.

  2. What a lovely way to start my Sunday. I wasn’t in San Diego long (I’d have to dig back through my postcard collection to give you exact dates) but it made a lasting impression. I would have loved to see Point Loma in Spring.

    Did you 6 on Saturday yesterday? I didn’t see it, but thought as you had Ro you might have given it a miss.

    1. Ro arrives sometime today and leaves Tuesday. Crazy to drive all this way. But that’s Australians for you 😜

    1. There’s something about lighthouses. Have you been up to Happisburgh? And there must be one on the north coast. Not to mention the windmills.

      3. We don’t go to The Broads that often. Very busy in good weather, and also car parking issues at some of the nicer spots.

        1. It’s like that here. The sun shines and the beach carparks are full to bursting. Which is why we tend to visit the gardens.

  7. Lovely coastal views and I like the sculptures too, especially the whales 🙂 I bet Cabrillo wouldn’t recognise the bay if he were to see it today!

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