Point Loma has 76 million years of history leading up to the building of the explorer’s statue, the old lighthouse and the Navy installations that arose just before World War II. Understanding the Life of Point Loma is a recently published book, compiled by the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation, that has been five years in the making. The book details the geological development of the peninsula, describing man’s recent history all the way back to a time when the Point was completely submerged in water.
Today, visitors can enjoy aerial views from the monument and lighthouse, visit the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetary, and acknowledge an impressive 900 acres of rare habitat that has been preserved among the growth of the naval coaling station, U.S. Coast Guard Station and the San Diego sewage treatment plant.
Winters invite the migration of gray whales heading to Baja California, just south in Mexico. Tide pools still inhabit 42 species of flora and fauna. Native vegetation has been preserved along with black oystercatchers and the garden slender salamander, the area’s only resident amphibian.
Although this land, once occupied by species that have since migrated, has been developed, the preservation that now exists is priceless. Should the land have been sold off privately, homes would have dominated what is now preserved public land. Point Loma’s public territory, along with Understanding the Life of Point Loma, are available for public study and interpretation. Visit the monument’s book store, located just at the end of the Point, and pick up a copy today!
Click for an arial view of Cabrillo Point, Point Loma
