Fort Mason in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Ship into San Francisco Bay

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 23, 2013

1. First Ship into San Francisco Bay Marker

Inscription. On August 5 1775, the Spanish Packet San Carlos, under the command of Lieutenant Juan Manuel Ayala, became the first ship to sail into San Francisco Bay. A month and a half was spent in surveying the Bay from its southern most reaches to the northern end of present-day Suisun Bay. The San Carlos departed on September 18, 1775.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 236.

Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the San Francisco Twin Bicenntennial, Inc., August 5, 1975.

Erected 1975 by California State Department of Parks and Recreation and The San Francisco Twin Bicentennial, Inc. (Marker Number 236.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1919.

Location. 37° 48.405′ N, 122° 25.362′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Fort Mason. Marker can be reached from Beach Street north of Larkin Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Andrea's Fountain (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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The Clock Tower (about 400 feet away); Propellers from Klamath (about 400 feet away); Barbary Coast Trail (about 500 feet away); The Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club (about 500 feet away); Friedel Klussman (about 600 feet away); America’s First Irish Coffee (about 600 feet away); The Buena Vista Cafe (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Also see . . . The Spanish Era - Angel Island Conservancy. In August 1775, Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala brought his ship, the San Carlos, into San Francisco Bay, and anchored in what is now Ayala Cove. His mission was to develop an accurate description of the bay that future Spanish ship captains could rely on. Ayala’s pilot, Don Jose’ de Canizares, explored the bay in the ship’s launch, and did the necessary map work – the first map ever made of the magnificent and now world-famous harbor. The San Carlos remained at anchor beside the little island that Ayala christened Isla de Los Angeles (Spanish for Island of the Angels), following a practice then common
Photographed By National Park Service, August 24, 1775

2. Greetings Across the Water
This mural is found in the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Visitor Center (about 500 ft. east of the marker). The mural's caption reads: On the morning of August 24, 1775, the Friar Santa Maria noted in his journal that eight Huchiun men in two tule canoes, Ohlone from the East Bay, came alongside the San Carlos and opened their visit with a formal ritual greeting before coming aboard. The San Carlos remained anchored in Ayala Cove during most of the mapping expedition.
among Catholic explorers of naming sites for the religious feast days nearest to the time of discovery. (Submitted on April 1, 2013.)

First Ship Marker, Balclutha, Alcatraz, and Angel Island image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 23, 2013

3. First Ship Marker, Balclutha, Alcatraz, and Angel Island

In the foreground is the marker, and visible immediately behind it is the Balclutha, a three-masted square-rigger built in 1886. Behind that is Alcatraz Island, with the federal penitentiary (1934-1963) visible, And finally behind that is the south side of Angel Island. The San Carlos anchored off the north side of Angel Island, in what is now known as Ayala Cove. (Note the telephoto effect makes the distant objects appear considerably closer than they are.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2013, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,714 times since then and 484 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2013, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on April 1, 2013, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.