SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Cabrillo National Monument reopened Sunday following the longest government shutdown in history.
The partial government shutdown, which began on December 24, forced the monument to close.
Also affected by the shutdown was Point Loma and Joshua Tree National Park.
Dozens of national parks and museums, including Smithsonian facilities, closed after running out of money.
“Cabrillo National Monument’s employees and volunteers are happy to be back at work, serving the American people and welcoming visitors to their national parks,” the park said in a news release.
On Sunday, 10News met John Parks, a park visitor from Burke, Virginia. The self-proclaimed history buff first came to Cabrillo National Park on Thursday, the day he landed in San Diego. But he was met with "Park Closed" signs.
“I wanted to see this so I drive up here, found the big barrier across the road. 'Closed because of the government shutdown.' I was disappointed," Parks said.
After watching the President's speech on Friday, he decided to give the park another shot on Sunday.
"It exceeded my expectations!" Parks said. "It’s a pleasure to be here, enjoying the California sunshine.”
Cabrillo National Monument is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tide pools are open every day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
