Cabrillo National Monument in May
May at Cabrillo National Monument averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 59°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 59°F
- Average high
- 69°F
Range across the year: 49°F to 77°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5 in
- Daylight
- 13.7 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 70,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.3×) and the September low (0.9×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 82/100 ("Excellent"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 64°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 29% of annual visitors, choosing May instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 13.7 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.9-hour midwinter low and the 14.1-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 845,912 recreation visits, up 4.4% from 810,147 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 17.2%, so May may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 68°F / 55°F | 1.0× Average | 72 Good |
| May | 69°F / 59°F | 1.0× Average | 82 Excellent |
| June | 71°F / 62°F | 1.0× Average | 80 Excellent |
All twelve months at Cabrillo, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Cabrillo in May
The National Park Service tags 5 Cabrillo activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Whale Watching at Cabrillo
- Visit the Cabrillo Tidepools · reservation required
- Bayside Trail · 1-2 hours
- Coastal Trail · 30-60 minutes
- Earn Your Cabrillo Junior Ranger Badge · 30-90 minutes · reservation required
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 59°F at Cabrillo National Monument, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Cabrillo National Monument (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent" at 82/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is September. May sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 70,000 recreation visits at Cabrillo National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Cabrillo in May
Booking a May trip to Cabrillo National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Cabrillo
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.