San Diego, CA – California’s coastline saw its first recorded European landing on this day in 1542, when explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo arrived near present-day San Diego.
According to historical archives, Cabrillo commanded an expedition sailing north from Mexico under the Spanish crown. His landing marked the first documented European presence on the west coast of what would eventually become the United States. Cabrillo’s arrival is remembered as a milestone in California history, though Indigenous peoples had already inhabited the region for millennia before European exploration.
Historians note that Cabrillo’s journey contributed to Spain’s expansion into the Pacific and opened the door to future colonization efforts. The explorer continued northward after reaching San Diego, charting parts of the California coast. However, Cabrillo never returned home; he died during the expedition in January 1543 on the Channel Islands.
Today, Cabrillo’s landing site is commemorated at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, where visitors can learn about his voyage and the Native communities who lived in the area long before Spanish ships arrived.
California schools, museums, and local events occasionally highlight Cabrillo’s expedition each fall, drawing attention to both the European exploration era and the state’s deeper Indigenous history.
