San Diego's Historic Landmarks and #cultural Treasures #history #historyandculture #travel #mariachi #california

The San Diego harbor area was discovered by Spanish explorers in the 16th century who sailed north along the Pacific coast from Mexico. Today there remains a strong hispanic cultural presence that makes the county rich and colorful.

The Presidio de San Diego is a historic fort and a National Historic Landmark, established in 1769. It was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific coast of the present-day United States and served as the base for the Spanish colonization of California. It was active until the mid-1820s after Spain ceded control of the region to Mexico in 1821.

The Presidio de San Diego and Junipero Serra Museum are located on a hill above Old Town, near the San Diego River at 2727 Presidio Dr., San Diego, CA 92103.

The music is by the Mariachi Nueva Tradition who performed on the grounds of the County Administration Building at 1600 Pacific Hwy. during the swearing-in ceremony of Supervisor Paloma Aguirre on July 22, 2025.

The Point Loma Lighthouse is part of the Cabrillo National Monument, dedicated to Juan Cabrillo, the captain of the San Salvador, the first European ship to visit San Diego harbor in 1542. A replica of the ship is docked in the harbor across from the County Building; it’s part of the Maritime Museum and offers harbor trips, something exciting and wonderful.