Timeline of San Diego History by San Diego Historical Society
Wikipedia - History of San Diego
San Diego - Perfecting Paradise by Roger M. Showley, Heritage Media 2000 (PriceGrabber.com)
1542, September 28
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo sails into San Diego Bay, under the flag of Spain. He comes ashore, probably near Ballast Point on Point Loma. He names his discovery San Miguel and declares it a possession of the King of Spain. At this time the native population of San Diego area is estimated at 20,000 consisting of various Indian groups.
1602, November 10
Sebastián Vizcaíno arrives with his flagship "San Diego", sent north by Spain from Navidad in Mexico. Vizcaíno surveys the harbor and what is now Mission Bay and Point Loma, naming the area for the Spanish Catholic saint San Diego de Alcalá.
1769
Gaspar de Portolà and his expedition founded the Presidio of San Diego (military post).
1769, July 16
Franciscan friars Junípero Serra, Juan Viscaino and Fernando Parron raised and blessed a cross, establishing the first mission in Upper California, Mission San Diego de Alcala.
1774
Colonists began arriving.
1797
The mission is San Diego is now the largest in California, with over 1,400 natives associated with it.
To be continued...
