Pacifica in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Discovery of San Francisco Bay

Photographed by Karen Key, April 29, 2007

1. Discovery of San Francisco Bay Marker

Inscription. Captain Gaspar de Portola camped, October 31, 1769, by the creek at the south side of this valley, and to that camp scouting parties brought news of a body of water to the east. On November 4 the expedition advanced. Turning inland here, they climbed to the summit of Sweeney Ridge and beheld for the first time the Bay of San Francisco.

State Registered Landmarks Nos. 24 and 394

Tablet placed by California Centennials Commission. Base furnished by County Board of Supervisors in Cooperation with San Mateo County Historical Association.
Dedicated October 16, 1949

Erected 1949 by California Centennials Commission. (Marker Number 24, 394.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Portolá Expedition series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1975.

Location. 37° 35.959′ N, 122° 30.003′ W. Marker is in Pacifica, California, in San Mateo County. It is at the intersection of Coast Highway (California Route 1) and Crespi Drive, on the right when traveling north on Coast Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pacifica CA 94044, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Captain Don Gaspar de Portolà (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles Gust 1888-1969 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sanchez Adobe (approx. 0.9 miles away); Open Spaces and Wild Places (approx. 1.1 miles away); Cut Off! (approx. 1.1 miles away); Mori's Point Inn (approx. 1½ miles away); The Enduring Aramai (approx. 1½ miles away); The Little Brown Church (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pacifica.

Also see . . . Pacifica, California. (Submitted on June 6, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)

Photographed by Karen Key, April 29, 2007

2. Discovery of San Francisco Bay Marker

Photographed by Karen Key, April 29, 2007

3. Discovery of San Francisco Bay Marker

Looking west from the historical marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 2,524 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 6, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.