Cabrillo Bridge (Laurel St. Bridge)
Iconic 1915 Spanish Renaissance bridge, a grand gateway to Balboa Park offering stunning city views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, great light
Cabrillo Bridge (Laurel St. Bridge)
Best Time
Fewer crowds, great light
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Iconic 1915 Spanish Renaissance bridge, a grand gateway to Balboa Park offering stunning city views.
"Walking across Cabrillo Bridge was amazing! The weather was perfect, and the views from the overpass were stunning."
🚶♀️ Stroll & Sightsee
Walk across the bridge for stunning views and access to Balboa Park. Great for photos!
📸 Capture the Glow
Sunset offers a beautiful golden hour for photography.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Architectural Grandeur
The entire span of the bridge
Marvel at the intricate design and ornate details of this historic 1915 Spanish Renaissance-style bridge.
Panoramic City Views
Center of the bridge
Enjoy stunning vistas of the San Diego skyline and the surrounding Balboa Park landscape.
Gateway to Balboa Park
Eastern end of the bridge
This iconic bridge is your picturesque entry point to the museums, gardens, and attractions of Balboa Park.
Plane Spotting Spot
Under the freeway overpass
A unique vantage point to watch planes fly by, a surprising delight for many visitors.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit for the Best Experience
Accessing Balboa Park's Gateway
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Stroll & Sightsee
Walk across the bridge for stunning views and access to Balboa Park. Great for photos!
📸 Capture the Glow
Sunset offers a beautiful golden hour for photography.
🚗 Parking Strategy
Parking near the bridge can be tough. Consider ride-share or parking further out.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Views
Leashed dogs are welcome on the bridge, making it a great spot for pet owners.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Stroll & Sightsee
Walk across the bridge for stunning views and access to Balboa Park. Great for photos!
📸 Capture the Glow
Sunset offers a beautiful golden hour for photography.
🚗 Parking Strategy
Parking near the bridge can be tough. Consider ride-share or parking further out.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Views
Leashed dogs are welcome on the bridge, making it a great spot for pet owners.
🛹 Skaters' Paradise
The bridge's architecture is a known spot for skaters to practice. +1
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Cabrillo Bridge for its stunning architecture and breathtaking views of the San Diego skyline and Balboa Park. It's a beloved landmark that offers a picturesque entrance to the park and a delightful spot for photography, especially at sunset. Some find parking challenging and note that it can get crowded during peak times and events.
"Walking across Cabrillo Bridge was amazing! The weather was perfect, and the views from the overpass were stunning. There were lots of people enjoying the day, along with plenty of dogs being walked. It’s a great spot to take in the scenery before heading into the zoo or exploring the area."
Seth Ilzy
"It's a beautiful bridge to walk anytime of the day! Plus it has great views of San Diego and the downtown skyline. If you got to the center of the bridge under the freeway you can watch the planes fly by!"
Autumn Murphy
"The Carrillo Bridge in San Diego is a remarkable piece of architecture that beautifully spans over the scenic Balboa Park. Its intricate design and ornate details make it a sight to behold. Walking across the bridge, I was treated to panoramic views of the park's lush gardens and museums. It's not only a functional structure but also a work of art that adds to the charm of San Diego. A visit to Carrillo Bridge is a delightful experience for architecture and park enthusiasts alike."
Zaim Jee
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can take an Uber or Lyft directly to the bridge or Balboa Park. Public buses also serve the area. Some visitors have found directions on Google Maps for the Bridle Trail to be less than ideal, so plan your route accordingly.
Parking is available in Balboa Park, but it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and during events. Arrive early or consider parking further away and walking.
While possible, it's a significant walk. It's more common to use transportation to get close to the bridge or Balboa Park. The '7 Bridges Trail' can lead you to it.
The bridge itself is generally accessible for wheelchairs, offering a smooth surface for navigation.
Many photographers find the best angles from the east side of the bridge, looking back towards the park, or from the highway below for a dramatic perspective.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, walking across Cabrillo Bridge is free and open to the public. It serves as a public thoroughfare and an entrance to Balboa Park.
The bridge is accessible 24/7, but it's most enjoyable during daylight hours for the views and during sunset for the ambiance.
The bridge itself is free to cross. Entry into Balboa Park is also free; however, individual museums and attractions within the park have their own admission fees.
Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on Cabrillo Bridge, making it a popular spot for dog walkers.
While generally open, be mindful of any special events or construction that might temporarily affect access. Skaters often use the bridge, so be aware of your surroundings. +1
📸 📸 Photography & Views
Sunset provides a beautiful golden hour glow over the city and bridge.
You'll get panoramic views of the San Diego skyline, Balboa Park's gardens and buildings, and the highway below.
Yes, you can capture the bridge's grandeur from various angles, including from the park below, the highway overpass, and from the bridge itself looking back at its ornate towers.
Indeed! Many visitors enjoy watching planes fly by from the area under the freeway overpass on the bridge.
The bridge is a beautiful example of Spanish Renaissance architecture, built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
🎫 🚶♀️ Onsite Experience
Primarily, you can walk across it, enjoy the views, take photos, and use it as an entrance to Balboa Park. It's also a popular spot for skaters and sometimes street performers. +1
It can get quite crowded, especially on weekends, holidays, and during special events in Balboa Park. Sunset is also a popular time.
Walking across the bridge itself takes only a few minutes, but you'll likely want to stop for photos and to admire the views, so budget at least 15-30 minutes.
While there are no dining facilities directly on the bridge, Balboa Park has numerous restaurants, cafes, and food vendors just a short walk away.
The 7 Bridges Trail is a popular urban hike in San Diego that includes crossing several historic bridges, with Cabrillo Bridge often being a highlight or endpoint.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Remember that Balboa Park itself offers numerous family-friendly museums and attractions, such as the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Fleet Science Center. The bridge provides a memorable and scenic entrance to these experiences. Leashed dogs are also welcome on the bridge, so if you have a furry family member, they can join in the fun too!
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Aim for golden hour or sunset for the most dramatic lighting, transforming the bridge and city into a breathtaking scene.
Don't forget to explore different vantage points, including from below the freeway overpass for unique perspectives and plane-spotting opportunities. The bridge also serves as a picturesque gateway to Balboa Park, allowing for a cohesive photo narrative of your visit. 🛹 Skateboarders and Urban Explorers
Be aware that the bridge can get crowded, especially on weekends, so plan accordingly if you intend to skate. The views and the architectural significance make it an interesting location for urban exploration beyond just skating.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Historic Gateway to Balboa Park
This iconic structure spans over California State Route 163, providing a unique perspective of both the natural beauty of the park and the urban landscape of San Diego. Many visitors are drawn to the bridge not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for the panoramic views it offers. From its center, you can gaze out at the downtown skyline, the lush greenery of Balboa Park, and even catch planes flying overhead near the airport.
Beyond its visual appeal, the Cabrillo Bridge is a functional part of the city's infrastructure and a popular spot for recreation. It's a common route for pedestrians, cyclists, and even skaters, who utilize its smooth surfaces for practice.
Capturing the Magic: Photography and Views
For those seeking unique perspectives, the area beneath the freeway overpass on the bridge offers a surprising vantage point for plane spotting.
Many social media posts highlight the bridge during different times of day and year, showcasing its year-round appeal, from holiday decorations to clear, sunny afternoons. When planning your visit for photography, consider the time of day. Sunset is frequently cited as a prime time for capturing the bridge's beauty, with the warm light casting a magical glow.
Weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded, allowing for more relaxed shooting. Remember to also explore the surrounding areas of Balboa Park for complementary shots that include the bridge in its broader context. 
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit