Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, commemoration the first European to explore California

Juan Rodriguez first spotted Point Loma from the south. He was the first explorer, sailing under the flag of Spain, to reach this far north along the coast. Cabrillo departed the port of Navidad on MexicoÕs west coast on 27, June 1542. Three months later he hove to in Òa very good enclosed portÓ-- San Diego Bay. This was the marinerÕs first landfall north of Baja Peninsula and he is believed to have anchored and landed of Point LomaÕs east side. Cabrillo himself died later in the expedition and was buried in the Channel Islands. His crew went on and possibly explored to a latitude as far north as Oregon before returning to Mexico.

Cabrillo National Monument sits high atop Point Loma looking out over the bay Cabrillo sailed into on 28 September, 1542. A heroic statue at a dramatic overlook commemorates this event. Each day a film, In Search of Cabrillo, is shown at the visitor center, an exhibit hall explores the manÕs past, and ranger led talks are frequently given on weekends.