SAN DIEGO Cabrillo Festival

September, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cabrillo Festival
cabrillofestival.org
nps.gov/cabr
Point Loma, end of Catalina Boulevard
San Diego, CA
Free event!

Cabrillo National Monument (part of the National Parks Service) on a hilltop on San Diego's Point Loma pays tribute to Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo, who sailed into the San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542.

The Cabrillo Festival is a fun event for the entire family, with educational activities, cultural demonstrations and exciting folkloric performances. Brightly colored clothing and dramatic music and dancing bring to life the traditions of the Native American, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish cultures that are part of the Age of Exploration. The Cabrillo Festival features vendors selling food booths with delicious traditional Mexican, Native American, Portuguese and Spanish food. A re-enactment of Cabrillo's landing on the shores of San Diego Bay. Cabrillo, his soldiers and a priest sail into the bay on San Salvador (The Californian), and once again claim the land for Spain.

SATURDAY

• 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cabrillo Festival at Ballast Point, Naval Base Point Loma, south end of Rosecrans Street. Free admission. Music, dancing, kids activities and foods of Native Americans, Mexico, Portugal and Spain. Kumeyaay basket making, knot tying and a 16th Century Spanish soldiers living history encampment, plus the
• Re-enactment of Cabrillo landing on Ballast Point: 16th century explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo steps ashore on Ballast Point. Journey back to September 28, 1542 when Cabrillo, a Portuguese navigator sailing under the flag of Spain, landed at San Diego. Stepping ashore on Ballast Point, he was the first European to land on the west coast of what is now the United States of America.

The Cabrillo Festival Open House features colorful dancing, storytelling and music from Mexico, Native America, Portugal and Spain. This event features Mexican, Native American, Portuguese and Spanish food; Kumeyaay basket weaving; a living history encampment, where 16th century Spanish soldiers demonstrate the arms, armor, implements and daily life; and the popular re-enactment of Cabrillo's historic landing at Ballast Point at 1 p.m.

Re-enactors dressed as Cabrillo and crew will sail into San Diego Bay aboard San Salvador (the revenue cutter Californian from the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which is the official tall ship of the state of California), landing at Ballast Point and "claiming the land" for the King of Spain. There's often basket weaving demonstrations and the 16th century Spanish Soldiers Living History Encampment with staff and Volunteers-In-Park (VIP) from Cabrillo National Monument. .

Celebrating over 50 years of supporting Cabrillo National Monument interpretive, educational and scientific programs, the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation ( cnmf.org) sells literature and related items about Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, 16th century exploration, the Kumeyaay and San Diego regional history in the Cabrillo Store, located in the visitor center. Visitor center and Cabrillo Store hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.

Cabrillo National Monument

Be a part of history and welcome 16th century explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo as he steps ashore on Ballast Point

Journey back to September 28, 1542 when Cabrillo, a Portuguese navigator sailing under the flag of Spain, landed at San Diego. Stepping ashore on Ballast Point, he was the first European to land on the west coast of what is now the United States of America.

The Cabrillo Festival is a fun event for the entire family, with educational activities, cultural demonstrations and exciting folkloric performances. Brightly colored clothing and dramatic music and dancing bring to life the traditions of the Native American, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish cultures that are part of the Age of Exploration. The Cabrillo Festival features food booths with delicious traditional Mexican, Native American, Portuguese and Spanish food. Vendors will showcase their various artistic goods.

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and Fort Rosecrans coastal defense remains, a coastal sage scrub ecosystem, and the Cabrillo Tidepools are preserved here by the National Park Service.

The Annual Cabrillo Festival is held each year on the weekend closest to September 28, commemorating the arrival of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in San Diego. Cultural dances, food, and re-enactment of Cabrillo's landing are all part of the festival activities.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.