Point Loma in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Beyond Their Known World
Cabrillo’s Ships
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 18, 2026
1. Beyond Their Known World Marker
By the time Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's crew reached this point, they'd been sailing in uncharted waters along an unmapped coastline for about one month.
About 200 Europeans and Central American Indians served on the expedition. The crew sailed from Guatemala's port of Iztapa, roughly 2,000 miles by sea.
Most crew members were crammed into very tight quarters on the San Salvador. If you were on board, what might you think and feel, approaching this unknown harbor?
Three ships, three different functions:
• San Miguel, a bergantina for scouting shallow waters near shore.
• San Salvador, the flagship, a galleon.
• La Victoria, a nao grueso, carried extra supplies.
Cuando la tripulación de Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo llegó a este lugar, ya habían navegado en aguas extrañas a lo largo de una costa desconocida por cerca de un mes.
Alrededor de 200 europeos e indigenas de América Central prestaron servicio en la expedición. La tripulación navego cerca de 3,220 kilómetros desde el puerto de Iztapa en Guatemala.
La mayoría de la tripulación ocupaba un reducido espacio en el San Salvador. ¿Si usted fuera a bordo, que podría pensar y sentir al acercarse a esta bahía desconocida?
Tres barcos, tres tareas distintas:
• San Miguel, una bergantina para reconocer las aguas poco protundas.
• San Salvador, la almiranta, un galeón.
• La Victoria, un nao grueso, cargaba pertrechos extras.
Topics.
this page online
Location. 32° 40.435′ N, 117° 14.382′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Point Loma. It is on Cabrillo Memorial Drive. Located in Cabrillo National Monument near the visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego CA 92106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular 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: Stephen Tyng Mather (within shouting distance of this marker); Harbor Lights (within shouting distance of this marker); In Homage to the Spanish Expedition (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 18, 2026
2. Beyond Their Known World Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Cabrillo’s Ships (was a few steps from this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); Army Radio Station (was about 500 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
