6/14/2004

Landmark information

  • Location:
    Next to parking lot across Presidio Dr from Serra Museum, Presidio Park, Old Town, San Diego
  • Plaque:
    Official State Plaque
  • Site:
    Nothing Remains
  • Date First Visited:
    12/2/1996
  • Date Most Recently Visited:
    6/14/2004
  • GPS Coordinates:
    N 32 45.573, W 117 11.649
  • Other Designations:
    National Historic Landmark
    National Register of Historic Places

About this landmark

Plaque text:

San Diego Presidio Site
Soldiers, sailors, indians, and Franciscan missionaries from New Spain occupied the land at Presidio Hill on May 17, 1769 as a military outpost. Two months later, Fr. Junipero Serra established the first San Diego Mission on Presidio Hill. Officially proclaimed a Spanish presidio on January 1, 1774, the fortress was later occupied by a succession of Mexican forces. The presidio was abandoned in 1837 after San Diego became a pueblo.