Near Tiburon in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Ayala Cove

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 3, 2013

1. Ayala Cove Marker

Inscription.
Lieut. Juan de Ayala of the Royal Spanish Navy sailed through the Golden Gate on Aug. 5, 1775. He commanded the packet-boat San Carlos, which was the first known ship in the waters of San Francisco Bay. On the 13th day of August, Ayala anchored this vessel in the cove of an island he named ‘Isla de los Angeles’, or Angel Island and from here directed the first survey of the bay.

In commemoration of these events this cove is hereby dedicated as Ayala Cove on the 6th day of September, 1969.

Erected 1969.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Science & Medicine • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 6, 1969.

Location. 37° 52.117′ N, 122° 26.076′ W. Marker is near Tiburon, California, in Marin County. It can be reached from North Ridge Trail. This marker is located on Angel Island near the ferry landing. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belvedere Tiburon CA 94920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the San Francisco Bay Area,

in the North Coast,

and specifically

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on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on 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: Angel Island (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Angel Island (approx. 0.2 miles away); Isolating Disease (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Ayala Cove (approx. 0.2 miles away); Medical Officers at Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Protecting the Public Health (approx. ¼ mile away); Melting Glaciers + Rising Seas = (approx. 0.3 miles away); Immigration Station Staff (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tiburon.

More about this marker. Angel Island is only accessible by ferry.

Also see . . . Ayala Cove - Angel Island Conservancy. Following a practice then common among Catholic explorers naming sites for the religious feast days nearest to the time of discovery, Father Vicente, the chaplain of the San Carlos, christened the little island Isla de Los Angeles.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 3, 2013

2. Ayala Cove Marker

(Submitted on October 10, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 3, 2013

3. Ayala Cove

As viewed from a ferry.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 30, 2022

4. Ayala Cove

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 30, 2022

5. Ayala Cove

Plaque on the other side of the dock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 30, 2022

6. Plaque on the other side of the dock

Land and Water Conservation Fund
A Cooperative Project for Outdoor Recreation

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 811 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on November 7, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 14, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.