Point Loma in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

El Desembarcadero

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 4, 2025

1. El Desembarcadero Marker

Inscription. A landing near this point was used on May 1, 1769, by men from the San Antonio and San Carlos to bring fresh water from the San Diego River close by to the anchorage in the bay. For almost a century the landing and channel were used by freight and passenger boats between Old Town and points on the bay. Romance was added to the site when Josepha Carrillo and Henry Delano Fitch eloped for Chile from the landing on April 16, 1829. Silt from river overflows limited use of the old landing later in the century, though high tides went to Rosecrans Street until 1923. During construction of the Naval Training Station ("Center" after 1944) the site and channel were buried by nine feet of fill.

Erected 1996 by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the U.S. Navy and Squibob Chapter, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 64.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1770.

Location. 32° 44.054′ N, 117° 13.206′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Point Loma.

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It is on Farragut Road east of Rosecrans Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2969 Farragut Road, 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: North Chapel, Building 208 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Command Center, Building 200 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Library Building 177 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ingram Plaza (approx. 0.4 miles away); USS Recruit (approx. half a mile away); Gun Platform No. 1 - 1945 (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Ingram Plaza (approx. half a mile away); Gun Platform No. 2 - 1945 (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Regarding El Desembarcadero. El Desembarcadero was one of the first landmarks designated during the first year of the landmark program. The site was recognized as the landing place for small boats carrying freight and passengers to Old San Diego. It was also believed to be the place visited in 1769 by the crews of the San Antonio and San Carlos in their search for fresh water. SOURCE: California Historical Landmarks, California State Parks

Photographed by Michael Kindig, December 9, 2007

2. El Desembarcadero Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 4, 2025

3. El Desembarcadero Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 888 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 5, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on January 4, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 3. submitted on October 5, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.