Residents will be afforded a rare opportunity Saturday to tour the tower of the Cabrillo National Monument’s 19th-century Old Point Loma Lighthouse, as officials host a daylong event to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the National Park Service.
According to Wendy Janssen, acting superintendent for Cabrillo National Monument, the tower tour is among the most popular draws to the 151-year-old lighthouse.
“This event is one of two each year in which the tower of the old lighthouse is opened to the public, and is always a crowd pleaser,” Janssen said.
The tour allows visitors to discover what life was like for the lighthouse keepers, assistant lighthouse keepers and their families.
Park officials will also host films and three exhibits during the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Exhibits will include “Juan Rodriguez and the Age of Exploration,” “They Stood Watch” ” an account of the World War II harbor defenses ” and “Lighthouses of Point Loma.”
The event will also bring an opportunity for young people to participate in the park’s Junior Ranger Program and to earn an official Cabrillo National Monument Junior Ranger badge and certificate, said park officials.
Cabrillo National Monument is located at the end of Catalina Boulevard at the southern tip of Point Loma.
Admission to the park is $5 per vehicle. For more information, call (619) 557-5450, or visit www.nps.gov/cabr/.