Wilshire Montana in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Discovery of Santa Monica

by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo

— on October 8, 1542 —

The Discovery of Santa Monica Tablet image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, November 30, 2018

1. The Discovery of Santa Monica Tablet

Inscription. In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of Santa Monica by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo on October 8, 1542, this tablet is erected and dedicated by the Historic Landmarks Committee, Native Sons of the Golden West, with the cooperation of the Santa Monica Historical Society.

Erected 1942 by the Historic Landmarks Committee, Native Sons of the Golden West. With the cooperation of the Santa Monica Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Hispanic Americans. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 8, 1542.

Location. 34° 1.073′ N, 118° 30.163′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Wilshire Montana. Marker is on Ocean Drive just south of California Avenue / California Incline, on the right when traveling south. It is in Palisades Park, facing the footpath. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Monica CA 90401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “Trees of Santa Monica” (a few steps from this marker); John P. Jones Monument (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Will Rogers Highway (approx. 0.4

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miles away); Mayfair Theater (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rapp’s Saloon (approx. half a mile away); Olympiad Rose Bush (approx. half a mile away); George Washington (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Santa Monica Pier Carousel (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Monica.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. “The next morning, October 8, Cabrillo came to San Pedro Bay, which was named ‘Baya de los Fumos’ (English: Smoke Bay). The following day they anchored overnight in Santa Monica Bay. Going up the coast Cabrillo saw Anacapa Island, which they learned from the Indians was uninhabited. The fleet spent the next week in the islands, mostly anchored in Cuyler Harbor, a bay on the northeastern coast of San Miguel Island. On October 18 the expedition saw Point Conception, which they named ‘Cabo de Galera’.” (Submitted on February 28, 2019.)

The Discovery of Santa Monica Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, November 30, 2018

2. The Discovery of Santa Monica Monument

In the distance is the intersection of Ocean Avenue and California Avenue.

The Explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo image. Click for full size.

California Historical Society Collection at USC

3. The Explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo

Statue of Santa Monica image. Click for full size.

Sculpture by Eugene Morahan, photograph by J.J. Prats, November 30, 2018

4. Statue of Santa Monica

This Public Works of Art Project is at the foot of Wilshire Boulevard. The 10 foot sculpture atop a 6 foot concrete base is made of white cement coated with a white silicate sand washed with acid. It was dedicated May 4, 1935.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 670 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on March 1, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.