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

Cabrillo’s Ships

Photographed By Adam Margolis, March 18, 2018

1. Cabrillo’s Ships Marker

Inscription. The first three sailing vessels to enter San Diego Bay came from the direction you are facing. They were the San Salvador, the Victoria and the San Miguel - Spanish vessels commanded by Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo. The San Salvador, a galleon, was about 100 feet (30 meters) long and weighed about 200 tons. The Victoria was a caravel, a smaller ship built for sailing in coastal waters. The bergantin San Miguel, with sails and oars, was used mainly for ferrying men to and from shore and for servicing the larger ships.

The three ships were built on the west coast of Guatemala, mostly with native materials and labor. The San Salvador and the Victoria each could accommodate a crew of 60 – 100 men with enough supplies for three years of exploration.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 32° 40.438′ N, 117° 14.376′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. Marker is located at the Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Road, San Diego CA 92106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. Stephen Tyng Mather (within shouting distance of this marker); João Rodrigues Cabrilho 1542 (within shouting distance of this marker); In Homage to the Spanish Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); Harbor and City (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Landing of Cabríllo (about 400 feet away); Army Radio Station (about 500 feet away); Point Loma Lighthouse (about 600 feet away); Old Point Loma Lighthouse (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Also see . . .
1. The National Park Service: Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. (Submitted on January 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. San Diego Historical Society entry (Submitted on January 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 21, 2006

2. Cabrillo’s Ships Marker

Cabrillo Monument and San Diego Bay are in the Background

Photographed By Adam Margolis, March 18, 2018

3. Cabrillo’s Ships Marker

San Diego Bay image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 21, 2006

4. San Diego Bay

Looking East from the Cabrillo Monument

Cabrillo’s Monument image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 21, 2006

5. Cabrillo’s Monument

See Photo #2 for view from marker.
Click for more information.

One of Cabrillo’s Ships image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015

6. One of Cabrillo’s Ships

Close-up of image on marker

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015

7. Pennant

Close-up of image on marker

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015

8. One of Cabrillo’s Ships

atop the Cabrillo National Monument Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,260 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on January 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on February 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 4, 5. submitted on January 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 3, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.