The Spanish ships San Antonio and San Carlos landed ship's boats at the site in 1769, looking for fresh water on the San Diego River, on their San Diego expedition. San Antonio arrived in San Diego Bay on April 11, 1769, and San Carlos on April 29. They came ashore on May 1, 1769, and set up a base camp on May 14. On July 1, the ships' party met up with the party that had marched inland from Baja California. The Spanish landing started the founding of Alta California for the Spanish Empire.[1][2]
A historical marker was placed in Spanish Landing Park in San Diego. The marker was placed there in 1976 by the State Department of Parks and Recreation working with the San Diego Unified Port District and Squibob Chapter, E Clampus Vitus.[3]
Spanish Landing Park
Spanish Landing Park is on the San Diego waterfront. The park as the Spanish Landing historical marker, a beach, small playgrounds (Spanish playground), restrooms, art displays, a waterfront walkway (Spanish Landing Trail), Gator By The Bay Stage, Cancer Survivors Park display, and picnic tables. The park is on the north shore of the bay's West Basin, across from the Harbor Island marina on Harbor Island Drive. The park is divided in two parts, Spanish Landing Park West and Spanish Landing Park East at the Port of San Diego. The park is just south of San Diego International Airport[4][5]
Cancer Survivors Park
Cancer Survivors Park is at the east end of Spanish Landing Park. Cancer Survivors Parks are parks funded by the Bloch Foundation. The park has a walkway with various bronze plaques. There are life-size bronze sculptures shown passing through a cancer treatment. There are Road to Recovery plaques.[6][7]
