Every September 28, California tips its hat to a moment that changed the course of West Coast history: the day Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo sailed into what is now San Diego Bay in 1542. Cabrillo, a Portuguese-born explorer under the Spanish flag, became the first European known to set foot on the West Coast of the present-day United States. He christened the sheltered harbor San Miguel before continuing north to map much of California’s coastline — work that would open the Pacific coast to European charts and trade routes.
Officially recognized as a state observance in 1911, Cabrillo Day doesn’t bring school or business closures, but it has become a fixture of late September in San Diego. Each year, Cabrillo National Monument and its partners bring history to life with cultural performances, educational exhibits, and the signature reenactment of Cabrillo’s landing. Dancers in bright skirts, drummers, storytellers, and living-history interpreters fill the park with the sights and sounds of 16th-century exploration, paying tribute not only to Cabrillo but to the Spanish, Mexican, Native American, and Portuguese cultures that shaped California’s early story.
Some celebrations reach beyond dry land. The Maritime Museum of San Diego often marks the day with sails aboard the San Salvador, a stunning replica of Cabrillo’s flagship. These four-hour adventures offer guests a rare taste of life aboard a 16th-century-style galleon, complete with creaking timbers, canvas sails snapping in the wind, and crew members sharing tales of maritime discovery. “It’s as close as you can get to experiencing Cabrillo’s arrival without stepping back in time,” says the museum’s sailing team.
Evening fundraisers like “Cabrillo Under the Stars” add another layer to the festivities, giving guests a chance to enjoy food, wine, and live entertainment beneath the Point Loma sunset while supporting park programs. Such events have become a warm-up to the main celebration, blending modern-day camaraderie with a cause rooted in history.
Nearly 500 years after Cabrillo’s ship first entered San Diego Bay, the observance that bears his name continues to connect Californians with their maritime beginnings. Whether from the vantage point of the Green Pier, the deck of a galleon, or the hilltop views at Cabrillo National Monument, Cabrillo Day offers a reminder that the state’s story began, quite literally, at the water’s edge.
