{ DAY TRIP }

YOUR VERY OWN FOUNDERS’ DAY

Spend a fun, history-packed day without leaving San Diego’s city limits

Photos courtesy of SanDiego.org

EVER WISH YOU COULD TRAVEL BACK IN TIME to see San Diego when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first set foot on land in 1542? Or would you like to wind back even farther—more than 12,000 years—to the days when the Kumeyaay people inhabited the region? Well, you can, because this town’s fascinating history is folded into our landscape and waiting to be discovered every day of the year. Start your day admiring stunning vistas of sea and wind down as you take in the sunset perched on an ancient hill. And it’s so easy! To follow this five-stop itinerary, just carve out a day, put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes, and hop in the car.

The historic Point Loma Lighthouse is situated in the Cabrillo National Monument | SanDiego.org
The historic Point Loma Lighthouse is situated in the Cabrillo National Monument | SanDiego.org
The spiral staircase inside Point Loma Lighthouse | SanDiego.org
The spiral staircase inside Point Loma Lighthouse | SanDiego.org

1. CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT  (60–90 MINUTES)
Start your day at the southern tip of Point Loma, where Cabrillo’s 1542 European expedition touched shore, marking the first time Europeans set foot on the West Coast of North America. Wander along a portion of the Bayside Trail and be sure to take the steep (but short) path leading to the old lighthouse, built in 1855. The Visitor Center houses a military history exhibit explaining the role Point Loma played in both world wars. On a clear day in winter and early spring, the Whale Watch Overlook is a fantastic place to observe gray whales.

Old Town Theatre in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park | Ken Wolter - Shutterstock.com
Old Town Theatre in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park | Ken Wolter - Shutterstock.com

2. OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO STATE HISTORIC PARK  (60–90 MINUTES)
Known as the historic heart of the city, Old Town is where California’s first mission and fort were built. There are many museums and historical sites to visit in this one-mile part of town. If you prefer to take it all in from the sidewalks, there are several historic adobe structures built around 1830 to admire. There are also several accurate reconstructions, including the Visitor Center, featuring a fascinating mural depicting 1892 Old Town. Take time to poke around and maybe watch a live re-enactment of work at the blacksmith shop or other places of business. This is a great time to stop for lunch. Or, order takeout to enjoy at the next stop.

The stunning exterior of the Junipero Serra Museum on Presidio Hill | © 2019 Alex Matthews
The stunning exterior of the Junipero Serra Museum on Presidio Hill | © 2019 Alex Matthews
The Junipero Serra Museum | © 2019 Alex Matthews
The Junipero Serra Museum | © 2019 Alex Matthews

3. JUNIPERO SERRA MUSEUM AND PRESIDIO PARK  (60 MINUTES)
Just above Old Town on Presidio Hill, the splendid Junipero Serra Museum awaits. The building itself is a sight to behold. Built in the late 1920s, it is often mistaken for the old Spanish mission itself. Today, it showcases the Kumeyaay Indians and California’s first permanent European settlement with intriguing artifacts, relics, and antiques. The museum is only open to the public on weekends, but it is a great place to stop on weekdays, too. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960, Presidio Park offers expansive views and many historical markers, murals, and statuary, including the Padre Cross monument, erected in 1913 using ruins from the original buildings.

California’s first Mission Church, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá | Joanne DiBona
California’s first Mission Church, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá | Joanne DiBona

4. MISSION BASILICA SAN DIEGO DE ALCALÁ  (60 MINUTES)
California’s first Mission Church, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, was founded in 1769 on Presidio Hill and relocated inland in 1774. It has a colorful history with many chapters of struggle and violence. To get a good feel for what life was like in the area’s early years as a colony, take a stroll through the Visitor Center museum and gift shop. The serene gardens invite you to pause and reflect for a while.

A trail at Mission Trails Regional Park | Joanne DiBona
A trail at Mission Trails Regional Park | Joanne DiBona

5. MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK  (90–180 MINUTES)
Regardless of how much energy and time you have left, there’s a trail waiting for you in this 5,700–acre regional park. The Visitor Center is definitely worth checking out, so park as close as possible. Featuring video displays, archaeological exhibits, and a library, the Visitor Center gives you a fabulous perspective of what life was like here long before the first Europeans arrived. If you want to stretch your legs, follow the paved Father Junípero Serra Trail to the Old Mission Dam. If you’re fit and a frequent hiker, fill your water bottle and trek all the way to Kwaay Paay Peak at an elevation of 1,194 feet. It’s a tough climb, but when you see the view as the sun sets, you’ll agree there is no better way to wrap up this exciting, historical day.

When You Go

Be sure to call each historic site in advance to confirm their current days and hours of operation. Since dogs are not allowed in several of these spots, it’s best to leave yours at home.

Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
619.523.4285  |  1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr
Admission: $20/car; Open Daily 9–5
7.7 miles to Old Town San Diego State
Historic Park

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
619.220.5422  |  4002 Wallace St
Admission: Free; Open Mon–Thu 10–4; Fri–10–5
.6 miles to Junípero Serra Museum

Junípero Serra Museum
619.232.6203  |  2727 Presidio Dr
Admission: Free ($5 donation suggested); Open Fri–Sun 11–4
7.6 miles to Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá
619.281.8449  |  10818 San Diego Mission Rd
Admission: Free; Open Thu–Mon 9–3,
Tues–Wed 10–3
4.7 miles to Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center

Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretive Center
619.668.3281  |  One Father Junípero Serra Tr
Admission: Free; Open Daily 9–5