San Diego County Chronicles (33) — Cabrillo National Monument

My Little Happiness Diary (1189) Thursday, November 14, 2024 Friends from LA visited—what a joy! My literary friend Patricia and her elder sister came to San Diego, and we arranged to meet at Zhi Wei Cun restaurant. Ana and Lily also joined us despite their busy schedules. After lunch, I took Patricia and her sister to explore Old Town San Diego, then drove to the southern tip of the city to visit the historic Cabrillo National Monument (1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr). About the Monument Perched at the southern end of Point Loma Peninsula, this national memorial commemorates Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo’s landing in San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542—the first European expedition to set foot on what would become the U.S. West Coast. A Statue’s Long Journey 1913: President Woodrow Wilson reserved 0.5 acres for a memorial, but plans stalled for decades. 1939: Portugal commissioned a 14-ft sandstone statue of Cabrillo, sculpted by Alvaro de Bree. After years in storage, it was installed in 1949. 1988: Weathered beyond repair, the original was replaced by a limestone replica. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse ⚓ Built in 1855, this whitewashed beacon was San Diego’s tallest landmark until 1891, when fog obscured its light too often. Now a museum, visitors can climb its spiral staircase for panoramic views. Personal Reflection Thirty years ago—my first year in America—my younger brother drove me here. I’ll never forget the endless rows of white military graves stretching toward the sea. Today, as I guided friends myself, the experience felt beautifully new. #SanDiegoHistory #CabrilloMonument #CaliforniaCoast #TravelDiaries