Climbing out of his boat and onto shore in 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo stepped into history as the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. In addition to telling the story of 16th century exploration, the park is home to a wealth of cultural and natural resources. Join us and embark on your own Voyage of Exploration. The rocky intertidal area, also known as the tide pools, is a favorite spot at Cabrillo National Monument. Each year over 350,000 people visit the tide pools, one of the best protected rocky intertidal areas in California. The best time to visit the Rocky Intertidal Zone is during the fall and winter months, when we get our great low tides during park hours. During spring and summer, the tide is usually covering the tide pools when the park is open.