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 | — |
Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 30, 2018
1. The Discovery of Santa Monica Tablet
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: 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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse 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. 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); Lifeguarding (about 500 feet away);
this page online
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.)
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.
California Historical Society Collection at USC
3. The Explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
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 June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,235 times since then and 65 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.
