Cabrillo National Monument and Old Town San Diego

Eric and I took the opportunity, sans children, to go back to Cabrillo National Monument during opening hours.  It is at the end of a point, Point Loma, and is the place where the first European, Juan Cabrillo, landed on the west coast of the United States.

He had sailed north from Mexico with 3 vessels, and was tasked with claiming land for the king of Spain, discovering a route to Asia and the Spice Islands, charting the coast, and searching for gold.  Records indicate that Cabrillo stepped ashore on 28 September 1542, having entered a harbour that was "a closed a very good port" (and the US Navy still think it is!).  Cabrillo died early in 1543, and the expedition returned in April of that year, not having found gold, or the route to Asia and the Spice Islands.  But, they had charted over 800 miles of coastline for Spain and added lots of knowledge about the route.

Also here is the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which operated from 1855 until 1891, sitting 422 feet above sea level, in what seemed like an ideal location looking out over the bay.  However, it was this height that led to its short operating life - the light, which on a good night could be seen up to 30 miles away, was often obscured by fog and low clouds.  A new lighthouse was built at the bottom of the hill.

Point Loma was also set up for coastal defense, with radio and observation bunkers and a number of gun batteries, and we had a look at one of the radio posts which contained history of the military use of the area.

Our next stop was Old Town San Diego, where we met up with Karl & Robin, Tante Thea and Miss Ronnie.  When the lighthouse keepers at Point Loma needed supplies, it took them a whole day to travel to and from here, along a rough track - it took us about 15-20mins.  There were lots of adobe buildings here, which date from the early 1800s.  They were built by Spanish soldiers and were built around an open plaza.  Some buildings were destroyed by fire in 1872, but since 1908, have been restored and are now a State Historic Park.  There are a number of museums, shops and restaurants - Tante Thea, Ronnie and the boys found 2 different sweet shops, and spent money in them!!

Eric & I did a free walking tour of the area (which the others had done earlier in the day).  That gave us a few more insights into daily life for those living in the town and area back in the 1800s, and included a look at what is believed to be a 150yr old water filter.  Later on, we all wandered down to an old cemetery, and saw a number of old graves, including one of a man who was hung as he had stolen the only rowboat in San Diego harbour.  Right up until he was actually hung, he believed it was not real and that they were trying to teach him a lesson.  Another man was buried by the gate, as the priest had heard that he was "completely drunk" when he died.  There are a number of graves which are now outside the cemetery, and are under the footpath and road - they only exhumed one person, the others remain in situ.

We enjoyed dinner in a local Mexican restaurant - brightly painted and decorated with hanging pinatas.  The meals were too big for the majority of us - portion sizes here in the US are big!  Too big for one person, really.

Back to our hotel - washing, blogs, bed.  Tomorrow, Legoland.