Cabrillo National Monument, Silver Strand Beach

Contributer: AWESOM-O (01-30-2006)
Distance: 23.2 mi.

This is the great way to spend a lazy summer day in San Diego. Venture south and start out in the heart of Imperial Beach. The Tijuana River Valley Park is an interesting nature stop, if not just a quiet place to gaze over into Mexico. From there simply cut over to Palm Ave. where we get this show on the road. Head west on Palm toward the water and around onto Silver Strand Blvd. As you past the Coronado Cays (one the places I've always wanted to live), you'll soon appreciate the Silver Strand as the perfect place for just cruising down along the water, with the bay on your right and the ocean on your left. There are all kinds of San Diego folklore stories about the military operations going on in, around, and even underneath Silver Strand. Did you ever hear the story about the explosive network under Silver Strand? I'm sure it's bogus...or is it? Anyhow, soon you'll be dumped into the heart of Coronado, conveniently right at Glorietta Bay and the world famous Del Coronado Hotel. This is an obvious stopping point. The outdoor bar and beach walk at the Del is a San Diego icon. From the Del, continue around Orange avenue and onto the bridge. I don't know about you, but there is something just scary and thrilling about being this high above the bay. It never fails...I always daydream that something horrible is just gonna go wrong and I'll end up doing an Evil Knievel over the edge. In the end, it's just another one of those little things that make me feel fortunate to live in San Diego. From the bridge exit onto National Ave, simply turn left on Cesar Chavez Parkway and then right onto Harbor Dr.. Harbor Dr. is another San Diego favorite. You get nothing but great views of the city, bay and sailboats as you wind around the Harbor, past the convention center, Seaport Village, the Star of India and the Midway Aircraft carrier museum. Continue past the airport and over the hill into Point Loma where you connect with Rosecrans (one if not the first roads built in San Diego connecting the fishing docks at Point Loma to Old Town). Continue winding around the bay on the east side of Point Loma where you can then connect via Canon St. and Talbot Rd. to Catalina Blvd. Turn south on Catalina which will ultimately turn into to Cabrillo Memorial Dr.. Once on Cabrillo, you'll pass the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and head straight into the the Cabrillo National Park. Here you can see the monument dedicated to Cabrillo's landing in 1542, tour the lighthouse, and even explore some of the best tide pools in the region. All in all...a great lazy day in San Diego.

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