SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Unfortunately, California officials are not taking up the offer to foot the bill to reopen its national parks -- including the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego.
The closure has forced the cancellation of this weekend's big centennial celebration at the park.
When Cabrillo National Monument has its 100th birthday Monday it will most likely be celebrating by itself closed because of the government shutdown.
Sunday, there was a steady stream of people trying to take in the view but they were turned away.
"Just to visit the national park, walk around, we've heard about it and a lot of people said it was very nice," said Alenjdro Martinez, visiting from Spain.
To mark the century milestone a three day celebration was in the works. That has been scrapped, along with many tourists plans.
"Well missed opportunity but perhaps maybe down the road I'll visit again...maybe next time," said Shaw Jeng, visiting from Michigan.
The signs didn't stop everyone. But for those who snuck in, a park ranger was there to turn them back.
"We are here today, we hope to see the national monument but we just noticed that it's closed," David Coolhaas said.
The majority of people News 8 spoke to were foreign. David Coolhaas's family is visiting from Germany.
"We are traveling California for three weeks and we planned this trip for one year but we couldn't see a lot of things since everything is closed," Coolhaas said. "In Germany it wouldn't happen to be honest."
"It's still amazing to think that they can close this thing that belongs to the public."
Scott Borden and Jim Bishop ride the hill leading up to the monument every other week. They see the shut down as purely political posturing.
"When you look at what's operating and what isn't, it's really designed to make the biggest impact on the public, parks...but essential services, military, IRS, all those things are operating it's just this type of thing that's very visual so it's all politics," Borden said.
Politics that are now keeping the people, from their parks.
