Point Loma in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Harbor Lights
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
1. Harbor Lights Marker
No lighthouse kept vigil over the harbor four centuries ago when Cabrillo sailed into the bay. There were no channel buoys, fog horns, or local charts to guide mariners safely to anchor. Today, however, the Coast Guard and Port of San Diego provide a full range of navigational aids for the many military, commercial, and privately owned vessels that use the harbor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list.
Location. 32° 40.429′ N, 117° 14.417′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Point Loma. It can be reached from Cabrillo Memorial Drive south of Cabrillo Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker stands near the Visitors' Center for Cabrillo National Monument. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beyond Their Known World (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Tyng Mather (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ears to the Sea, Eyes on the Weather (about 300 feet away); In Homage to the Spanish Expedition (about 400 feet away); Joγo Rodrigues Cabrilho 1542 (about 400 feet away); Why Portuguese and Spanish Plaques? (about 400 feet away); Point Loma Lighthouse (about 500 feet away); Point Loma - The Early Years (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.
Other markers no longer nearby. Cabrillos Ships (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); Army Radio Station (was about 300 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Adam Margolis, March 18, 2018
2. Harbor Lights Marker
Also see . . . New Point Loma Lighthouse. (PDF) Reprinted from The Keeper's Log — Winter 2002. (Submitted on July 2, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 18, 2026
3. Harbor Lights Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
4. New Point Loma Lighthouse
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 564 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on April 1, 2026, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on July 2, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on February 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on March 18, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on July 2, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
