| Spanish Landing Spanish Landing Park | |
| Location: | Spanish Landing Park, San Diego, California |
| Coordinates: | 32.728°N -117.207°W |
| Built: | April 29, 1769 |
| Architect: | Gaspar de Portolá |
| Architecture: | New Spain landing and campsite |
| Designation1 Date: | February 20, 1976 |
| Designation1: | California |
| Designation1 Number: | 891 |
Spanish Landing is a historical site at Spanish Landing Park in San Diego, California at San Diego Bay. The Spanish Landing site is a California Historical Landmark No. 891 listed on February 20, 1976. It is the site of the landing by Spanish Portolá expedition with leaders Gaspar de Portolá and Junípero Serra. The Spanish ships San Antonio and landed ship's boats at the site in 1769, looking fresh water on the San Diego River, on their San Diego expedition. San Antonio arrived in San Diego Bay on April 11, 1769, and the 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] Some of the ships' crew were sick from the trip to San Diego; Father Serra and Father Vila remained in San Diego.[2] [3] [4]
A historical marker was placed in Spanish Landing Park in San Diego. The marker was placed there in 1976 by State Department of Parks and Recreation working with the San Diego Unified Port District and Squibob Chapter, E Clampus Vitus.[5]
Spanish Landing Park is on 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 the San Diego International Airport[6] [7]
A the east end of Spanish Landing Park is the Cancer Survivors Park. Cancer Survivors Parks are parks funded by the Bloch Foundation. There are Cancer Survivors Park in the United States and Canada. The park as walkway with 14 inspirational/instructional bronze plaques. There are life-size bronze sculptures shown passing through a cancer treatment. There are Road to Recovery plaques.[8] [9]