San Francisco Bay Discovery Site facts for kids
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San Francisco Bay Discovery Site
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Historical marker at Sweeney Ridge
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 SF Bay Discovery Site
Location in San Francisco Bay Area
SF Bay Discovery Site
Location in California
SF Bay Discovery Site
Location in the United States
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| Location | Golden Gate National Recreation Area |
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| Area | 18.2 acres (7.4 ha) |
| Built | 1769 |
| NRHP reference No. | 68000022 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 23, 1968 |
| Designated NHL | May 23, 1968 |
The San Francisco Bay Discovery Site is a special place. It marks where Europeans first saw San Francisco Bay. This important event happened in 1769.
Contents
The Great Discovery of San Francisco Bay
In 1769, a group of explorers called the Portolá expedition traveled north. They started from San Diego. Their goal was to find the Port of Monterey. This port had been described by Sebastián Vizcaíno in 1602.
When they reached Monterey, they were not sure it was the right place. So, they decided to keep going north. The group arrived at San Pedro Creek on October 31. They camped there for four nights.
Scouts Find the Bay
During this time, some scouts went ahead. They were led by José Francisco Ortega. The scouts climbed Sweeney Ridge. From the top, they could see far to the east. On November 1, they became the first Europeans to see the huge San Francisco Bay.
The scouts returned on November 3. The next day, November 4, the whole group went up to the ridge. A missionary named Juan Crespi was with them. He wrote in his diary about seeing "the great estuary or arm of the sea."
After seeing the massive bay, the explorers learned something important. The scouts told them that they could not go further north. The Golden Gate blocked their way. So, the group turned southeast. They headed down toward the bay.
Sweeney Ridge Today
Sweeney Ridge is located in northern San Mateo County. Today, it is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This area is a national park.
The San Francisco Bay Discovery Site is very important. It is both a California Historical Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. This means it is recognized for its historical value.
Where is the Marker?
The exact spot where Portola's group stood is not known. So, the location of the marker is a bit of a guess. The landmarked area includes two of the highest hills on the ridge.
