San Diego Coast Walk: Week 10.35 Cabrillo National Monument Bayside trail

So We actually did two segments of Coast Walk for veteran's day: Week 10.3 and this little bit down the bayside trail. Given that they were separated by a fairly prominent section of coast and each very different in character I gave them separate entries. Both were fairly short, though we did seem to linger here too.

Here it is the: Old Point Loma lighthouse

Down below the New Point Loma Lighthouse: There is another stretch of coast we are not going to see.

So as I mentioned in the previous post, Point Loma is often foggy and often the fog layer comes in just below the top of the old lightouse rendering it somewhat worthless. So in 1891 they built a new lighthouse. Unfortunately the Coast Guard whis owns the new light house isn't as visitor friendly as the National Park Service. So all we got was a picture from the top of the hill.

For those wishing to venture to the bay, there is however the bayside trail, which leads hikers to the entrance to the bay affording some nice views of Ballast point and North Island. I've never felt particularly drawn to this trail, preferring the ocean side and noting that the bayside trail doesn't actually go to the water. However it's as close as they let us get, so for coastwalk we do it!

The Star of India and fellow ships on the sea.

Sycamores in a canyon. This would be lovely on a misty morning.

I was surprised to find that the trail traversed a relatively wild stretch of the peninsula. Old military installations aside, the wild vegetation was otherwise allowed to take over and we could wander through one of few remaining parcels in in tact coastal scrubland. Winding in and out of several gulches We noted the variable micrclimates between north and south facing hillsides, all as they bay approached us.

Calmer waters here. Ships entering the harbor.

However we were frustrated at several points where it seemed like a simple viewing platform could be erected and instead we found our view blocked by a low ridge, or more bluffs. Still we were treated to much and the old WWII installations were interesting enough.

But you can't actually see where water meets land.

This is about as close as they let us get to the Big bad Bay.

Looking south towards Mexico

There's a bit of coast here. looks steep and hard to climb. Perhaps it's better this way.

Sailing!

Hmm a fence!

It was barely a half hour before we reached the fence at the end of the trail. We could spy some rocky bluffs that seemed to drop straight into the bay. We could peek over the fence toward ballast point. We could dream of of our journey beyond. Indeed from the various points along this trail we could pretty much make out the entirety of our remaining journey towards the Border fence. So it was was a nice little interlude in the end.

Yeah I think they mean we can't go any farther.

Ballast Point ahead.

More fence, guess that sign was correct

Back atop the hill near the old lighthouse we did however salvage a treat. Apparently some nice folks have been working diligently to restore some of the old WW-II bunkers atop the hill and tell the stories of San Diego's role in the battle and the life and times of soldiers stationed in these bunkers. We think now of the pretty views, but I guess it would be different cooped up with 8 others and watching for enemy fighter planes.