[2][3] The Cabrillo Bridge is one of several access routes to the cluster of museums located at the historic "El Prado Complex" (the former 1915 Panama Exposition site), which is east of the bridge in the middle of Balboa Park and continuing to a point near the Bea Evenson Fountain (and former trolley stop) just west of Park Boulevard.

The structure is easily seen from the scenic Cabrillo Freeway (State Route 163), which is located on the floor of the canyon below.

[8] Roosevelt returned in 1935, this time as President of the United States, to cross the bridge again for Balboa Park's second exposition.

[6] In 2014, the bridge was closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic to repave the road, fix sidewalks, add lights, and improve its stability during earthquakes.

[7] In June, after six months of work the planned deck renovations were completed and the bridge was re-opened for traffic.

[7] Seismic, lighting, cosmetic, and access renovations were completed in spring of 2015 with a total construction cost of approximately $23.3 million.

Once again, aged wooden concrete forms ignited, possibly the result of arson, inside the bridge columns.

A one-year Caltrans project repaired broken concrete, replaced corroded steel, and finally removed most of the old wood from the original construction.

One city official, after talk of installing suicide preventative measures failed, mentioned that "after a council meeting there are times a councilman might want to make use of a bridge."

In 1934, a despondent sailor jumped from the bridge and splashed into the man made lagoon (Laguna de Puente) that at that time lay below.

After eight people jumped during the first six months of 1950 (and at least 50 total since its construction), city workers installed wrought iron fencing on both parapets of the bridge in June 1950.