Cabrillo III

Click here for Long-Term trends

Click here for Biodiversity Survey findings

Cabrillo III is located in the South Coast region of California, in Cabrillo National Monument. The site is located within the Cabrillo State Marine Reserve. This site is off limits to human visitors and recieves very low visitation. As such it forms a steep visitation gradient with Cabrillo 1. This site may occasionally be exposed to San Diego Bay water which is a potential source of pollution. There is heavy boat traffic offshore coming and going from San Diego Bay. This gently sloping site consists of moderately uneven terrain, containing few cracks and folds.

Cabrillo III is dominated by a mixture of consolidated sandstone, mudstone, and granite bedrock and boulder fields, and the area surrounding the site is comprised of a mixture of consolidated bedrock and boulder fields. The primary coastal orientation of this site is south, since Cabrillo III is at the southern tip of Point Loma but weather often comes from the west and southwest. Cabrillo III is exposed to sun and wind from the east.

Long-Term Monitoring Surveys Cabrillo III were established in 1990, and are done by Cabrillo National Monument. Long-Term MARINe surveys currently target the following species: Chthamalus/Balanus (Acorn Barnacles), Tetraclita (Pink Barnacle), Pollicipes (Goose Barnacle), Mytilus (California Mussel), Silvetia (Golden Rockweed), Egregia (Feather-Boa Kelp), Red Algal Turf, Phyllospadix (Surfgrass), and Pisaster (Ochre Star). In addition, water temperature is monitored at this site. Click here to view Long-Term trends at this site.

Biodiversity Surveys were done in 2002, 2012, 2017, and 2024. The Biodiversity Survey grid encompasses two sections that are approximately 21 meters (along shore) x 60 meters (seaward), and 4 meters (along shore) x 60 meters (seaward). Click here to view Biodiversity Survey findings at this site.

Click here to view the Cabrillo Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Program 15 year report (1990-2005).

For more information about Cabrillo III, please contact Lauren Pandori (lauren_pandori@nps.gov).