Summer is beach season, but late fall and winter are tide pool season in San Diego. That’s when the lowest tides of the year happen during the day, and the rocky shelf below Cabrillo National Monument opens up to show anemones, sea hares, crabs and, if you’re lucky, an octopus. Here’s when to go, what you’ll see, and the rules to know before you go down to the pools on Point Loma.
- Go when the tide is 0.7 feet or lower. Arrive about two hours before low tide.
- The tide pool area opens at 9 a.m. and usually closes at 4:30 p.m. Weekends fill up fast.
- Entry is $20 per car, $10 per person on foot or bike, and free for ages 15 and under. A $35 annual pass is available.
- Look, don’t take: collecting shells, rocks or animals is not allowed.
When is the best time to visit the Cabrillo tide pools?
According to the National Park Service, late fall and winter are best because the extreme low tides happen during daylight. In summer, the lowest tides usually come in the middle of the night. At Cabrillo, a tide of 0.7 feet or lower gives you the best chance to explore. Plan to arrive about two hours before low tide and stay up to two hours after.
Good daytime low tides this season
These are NOAA’s predicted afternoon lows for San Diego Bay (station 9410170). Times at Point Loma may differ slightly, so check the forecast before you go. Lows late in the afternoon leave less time before the 4:30 p.m. closing, so plan to arrive early.
- Nov. 7–10 (Sat.–Tue.): lows of about -0.2 to -0.4 ft, between 2:07 and 3:54 p.m.
- Nov. 22–25 (Sun.–Wed.): lows of about -0.5 to -1.4 ft, between 1:40 and 3:57 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24 (-1.0 and -1.4 ft, at 2:24 and 3:09 p.m.) are the best bets.
- Dec. 5–9 (Sat.–Wed.): lows of about -0.1 to -0.6 ft, between 1:27 and 3:45 p.m.
- Dec. 20–24 (Sun.–Thu.): lows of about -0.2 to -1.9 ft, between 12:49 and 3:50 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22 (-0.9 and -1.5 ft, at 1:35 and 2:20 p.m.) are some of the best daytime tides of the year.
Even outside these dates, any day with a low of 0.7 feet or less during open hours is worth a trip.
Arrive two hours before low tide, wear shoes that grip, and leave every shell where you found it.
What can you see in the Point Loma tide pools?
The NPS divides the rocky intertidal into zones. The lower the tide, the more you’ll see:
- High zone: barnacles, limpets, chitons, crabs and mussels.
- Middle zone: anemones, keyhole limpets, black tegula snails, Kellet’s whelks, surf grass and algae.
- Low zone (only on the lowest tides): octopus, sea stars, nudibranchs, sea hares, spiny lobsters, urchins and small fish.
Tide pool rules at Cabrillo
- Don’t collect anything: no shells, rocks or animals, alive or dead.
- Touch gently, if at all. Don’t poke anemones or squeeze sea hares.
- Don’t pry off attached animals, and leave rocks where and how you found them.
- No containers, nets or scraping tools. No fishing.
- Keep your distance from seals and sea lions.
- Pets aren’t allowed in the tide pools. On the Coastal Trail, dogs must be on a leash 6 feet or shorter.
- Where
- Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma. Tide pools are in the lower area of the park, reached from the two southernmost parking lots.
- Hours
- Park opens at 9 a.m. Tide pool area usually closes at 4:30 p.m.
- Cost
- $20 per private vehicle (good for 7 days) · $10 per person walking or biking · ages 15 and under free · $35 Cabrillo Annual Pass
- Best tides
- 0.7 ft or lower, late fall through winter
- Info
- National Park Service
Know before you go
- Drive in. The NPS discourages walking down Cabrillo Road because it’s narrow with no shoulders.
- Arrive early on weekends. The road to the tide pools may close for about 30 minutes when parking is full.
- There’s no cell service at the tide pools. If you’re using a rideshare, set a pickup time and place ahead of time.
- Wear closed-toe shoes with grip. The rocks are slippery, and the dirt path down is roughly ¼ to ½ mile with about 100 feet of elevation change.
- Bring a physical pass if you have one. The entrance station doesn’t accept digital receipts, except for the Cabrillo Annual Pass.
- Keep little ones close. Slips are the most common problem.
Frequently asked questions
When is low tide at the Cabrillo tide pools?
It changes every day. Check NOAA’s tide predictions and aim for 0.7 feet or lower during park hours. In late 2026, Nov. 23–24 and Dec. 21–23 have some of the lowest afternoon tides.
How much does it cost to visit the Cabrillo tide pools?
Entry to Cabrillo National Monument is $20 per car, $10 per person on foot or bike, and free for ages 15 and under. A $35 annual pass is available.
What time do the Cabrillo tide pools close?
The tide pool area usually closes at 4:30 p.m. The park opens at 9 a.m.
Can you take shells from the tide pools in San Diego?
Not at Cabrillo. Collecting any natural item, including shells and rocks, is prohibited.
Are dogs allowed at the Cabrillo tide pools?
No. Pets aren’t allowed in the tide pools. Leashed dogs (6 feet or shorter) are allowed on the Coastal Trail.
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