Fort Mason in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Ship into San Francisco Bay

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. First Ship into San Francisco Bay Marker

Inscription. On August 5 1775, the Spanish Packet San Carlos, under the command of Lieutenant Juan Manuel Ayala, became the first ship to sail into San Francisco Bay. A month and a half was spent in surveying the Bay from its southern most reaches to the northern end of present-day Suisun Bay. The San Carlos departed on September 18, 1775.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 236.

Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the San Francisco Twin Bicenntennial, Inc., August 5, 1975.

Erected 1975 by California State Department of Parks and Recreation and The San Francisco Twin Bicentennial, Inc. (Marker Number 236.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 37° 48.405′ N, 122° 25.362′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Fort Mason. It can be reached from Beach Street north of Larkin Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast 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

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marker: Andrea's Fountain (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sala Burton Building (about 300 feet away); Scouts On the Water (about 300 feet away); The Clock Tower (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named The Clock Tower (about 400 feet away); Propellers from Klamath (about 400 feet away); San Francisco Cable Car System (about 400 feet away); Barbary Coast Trail (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Also see . . . The Spanish Era - Angel Island Conservancy. In August 1775, Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala brought his ship, the San Carlos, into San Francisco Bay, and anchored in what is now Ayala Cove. His mission was to develop an accurate description of the bay that future Spanish ship captains could rely on. Ayala’s pilot, Don Jose’ de Canizares, explored the bay in the ship’s launch, and did the necessary map work – the first map ever made of the magnificent and now world-famous harbor. The San Carlos remained at anchor beside the little island that Ayala christened Isla de Los Angeles (Spanish for Island of the Angels), following a practice then common among Catholic explorers of naming sites for the religious feast days nearest to the time of discovery. (Submitted on April 1, 2013.)

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 23, 2013

2. First Ship into San Francisco Bay Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. First Ship into San Francisco Bay Marker

<i>Greetings Across the Water</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by National Park Service, August 24, 1775

4. Greetings Across the Water

This mural is found in the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Visitor Center (about 500 ft. east of the marker). The mural's caption reads: On the morning of August 24, 1775, the Friar Santa Maria noted in his journal that eight Huchiun men in two tule canoes, Ohlone from the East Bay, came alongside the San Carlos and opened their visit with a formal ritual greeting before coming aboard. The San Carlos remained anchored in Ayala Cove during most of the mapping expedition.

First Ship Marker, Balclutha, Alcatraz, and Angel Island image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 23, 2013

5. First Ship Marker, Balclutha, Alcatraz, and Angel Island

In the foreground is the marker, and visible immediately behind it is the Balclutha, a three-masted square-rigger built in 1886. Behind that is Alcatraz Island, with the federal penitentiary (1934-1963) visible, And finally behind that is the south side of Angel Island. The San Carlos anchored off the north side of Angel Island, in what is now known as Ayala Cove. (Note the telephoto effect makes the distant objects appear considerably closer than they are.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2013, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 3,526 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 27, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on March 30, 2013, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on October 27, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on March 30, 2013, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 5. submitted on April 1, 2013, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.