Cabrillo Festival
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 an event for the entire family with educational activities, cultural demonstrations, and 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 traditional Mexican, Native American, Portuguese, and Spanish food. Vendors will showcase their various artistic goods.
The highlight of the Cabrillo Festival is the 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. At Ballast Point, Naval Base Point Loma.