National Parks Cost in San Diego (2026)
Quick Answer
Verified from sourceThere is no major National Park within the city of San Diego itself, but the nearest National Park Service site commonly visited from San Diego is Cabrillo National Monument. Verified NPS entry fees are USD 20 per private vehicle, USD 15 per motorcycle, and USD 10 per person on foot or bicycle; an annual Cabrillo pass is USD 35. If you mean a broader ‘national parks’ day out from San Diego, costs vary mainly by which federal site you visit and how you enter.
Overview
For San Diego, the most relevant National Park Service attraction is Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma rather than a full national park. It is a popular coastal federal site with historic, scenic and tidepool access, and its pricing is straightforward compared with larger destination parks. The National Park Service publishes entry fees by mode of entry: private vehicle, motorcycle and pedestrian/cyclist, with a separate annual pass option for repeat visits. Children aged 15 and under are admitted free under standard NPS rules, and holders of eligible America the Beautiful passes may receive free or discounted entry depending on pass type. Opening hours are also set by the National Park Service, though some areas such as tidepools can be affected by closures, weather and resource protection rules. For most visitors travelling by car, the typical out-of-pocket admission cost is USD 20 per vehicle rather than per person, which can make it relatively good value for families or groups. If you are comparing costs for ‘national parks in San Diego’, it is best to treat Cabrillo National Monument as the main official federal-site benchmark and then add transport and any parking or pass considerations separately.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle entry(per vehicle) Admits all passengers in a single private, non-commercial vehicle for 7 days. Verified from source | $20 – $20 | Verified from source |
| Motorcycle entry(per motorcycle) Valid for 7 days. Verified from source | $15 – $15 | Verified from source |
| Pedestrian or bicycle entry(per person) Valid for 7 days; children 15 and under are admitted free under NPS policy. Verified from source | $10 – $10 | Verified from source |
| Cabrillo National Monument annual pass(per pass) Annual site-specific pass for Cabrillo National Monument. Verified from source | $35 – $35 | Verified from source |
| America the Beautiful annual pass(per pass) Covers entrance fees at federal recreation sites including many NPS sites. Verified from source | $80 – $80 | Verified from source |
Opening Hours
Cabrillo National Monument is generally open daily from 9:00 to 17:00; closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Access & Getting There
Entry is managed by the National Park Service. Standard entrance fees are charged unless you hold a valid federal recreation pass. Some areas, especially tidepools, may have time, safety or conservation-related access restrictions, so check current alerts before travelling.
What’s Typically Included
- Site admission for the validity period stated by NPS
- Access to monument grounds and visitor areas subject to closures
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Standard entry tickets are valid for 7 days.
How Fees Work
Fees are charged by entry mode rather than a universal per-person ticket.
Factors Affecting Price
- How you enter the site: private vehicle, motorcycle, or on foot/bicycle
- Whether you qualify for an NPS or America the Beautiful pass
- Group size, because vehicle pricing can be cheaper per person for families or small groups
- Whether you are making a one-off visit or multiple visits in a year
Local Context
In San Diego, federal recreation entrance fees are typically charged as posted rather than negotiated, and tipping is not relevant to admission itself. For visitors arriving by car, the vehicle fee can be the best-value option for a family because it covers all occupants of a private non-commercial vehicle.
All prices are in US dollars (USD).
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- National Park Service - Cabrillo National Monument Fees & Passes · official
Verified entrance fees by vehicle, motorcycle and pedestrian/bicycle; annual pass price; fee structure and validity.
- National Park Service - Cabrillo National Monument Basic Information · official
Opening hours and closure days.
- National Park Service - Cabrillo National Monument · official
Official site identity and visitor planning context.
- USGS Store - America the Beautiful Pass Series · government
Verified interagency annual pass price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit a National Park Service site in San Diego?+
For the main NPS site in San Diego, Cabrillo National Monument, it is USD 20 per private vehicle, USD 15 per motorcycle, or USD 10 per person if entering on foot or by bicycle.
Are children free at Cabrillo National Monument?+
Yes. Under National Park Service rules, children aged 15 and under are admitted free.
Is there a family ticket?+
There is not a separate family ticket listed; the main saving for families is the private vehicle fee, which covers everyone in the vehicle rather than charging each person separately.
Can I use an annual federal parks pass in San Diego?+
Yes. Eligible America the Beautiful passes are accepted at many federal recreation sites, including NPS entrance fee sites such as Cabrillo National Monument.
What are the opening hours?+
Cabrillo National Monument is generally open from 9:00 to 17:00 daily, except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Check the official NPS page for current closures or adjusted hours.
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Check current prices at the official source
National Park Service - Cabrillo National Monument
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