Cabrillo in SAN SALVADOR and VICTORIA enters San Diego Bay.

Watercolor 14" x 21"


Cabrilo was a wealthy conquistador who led the first European voyage of exploration along the north coast of New Spain. In 1542, fifty years after Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas, he sailed from Puerto de Navidad, Mexico, in the SAN SALVADOR, accompanied by the smaller VICTORIA and SAN MIGUEL. On September 28, 1542, they sailed into a “closed and very good port” and Cabrilo stepped ashore on the beach that would become San Diego, and claimed the land for Spain.