Point Loma in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
In Homage to the Spanish Expedition
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
1. In Homage to the Spanish Expedition Marker
integrada por los buques
San Salvador, Victoria y San Miguel
que arribó a San Diego
el 28 de septiembre de 1542
a mando de
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
quien tomó posesión de estas tierras
en nombre de su Majestad Católica
El rey
Carlos de España
abrienda la ruta maritima que impulsó
el posterior desarrollo de California
La Armada Española
28 de septiembre de 2003
composed of the ships
San Salvador, Victoria, and San Miguel
that arrived at San Diego
on 28th September 1542
under the command of
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo
who took possession of these lands
on behalf of his Catholic Majesty
Charles I
King of Spain
opening the maritime route that led to
the subsequent development of California
The Spanish Navy
September 28, 2003
Erected 2003 by The Spanish Navy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 28, 1542.
Location. 32° 40.44′ N, 117° 14.345′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in
this page online
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: João Rodrigues Cabrilho 1542 (here, next to this marker); Why Portuguese and Spanish Plaques? (here, next to this marker); Beyond Their Known World (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Tyng Mather (within shouting distance of this marker); Harbor and City (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Harbor Lights (about 400 feet
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
2. In Homage to the Spanish Expedition Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Cabrillo’s Ships (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
3. In Homage to the Spanish Expedition Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
4. A Tribute
Portuguese Navy to the
Portuguese Navigator
Joao Rodrigues Cabbrilho
on the occasion of the
rededication of the statue in his honour
NRP Joao Coutinho
February 1988
The current statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo is a 1988 copy of Alvaro De Bree's 1939 sculpture created for the New York World's Fair. After some misdirection the original statue was installed at Point Loma near the lighthouse in 1948. It was moved to the current location in 1966. The decaying De Bree Statue was removed in 1986 and replaced with a copy by Joao Charters de Almeida e Silva in 1988. The new statue was brought from Portugal to San Diego on the Portuguese Naval Vessel NRP Coutinho.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
5. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo Monument
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
6. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
7. Juan Rodgriguez Cabrillo
Photographed by Wikipedia
8. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
9. Alvaro De Bree
1939
Lisboa
1939
Lisboa
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
10. Quadrant and Dividers
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
11. Finial
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
12. Alvaro De Bree Plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 724 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on April 1, 2026, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on July 12, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
