Which explorer gave California the names of San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, and Carmel, among others?
One hundred and three days into the journey, Cabrillo’s ships entered San Diego bay. He probably landed at Ballast Point (visible from the Cabrillo NM visitor center) where he claimed the land for Spain. Cabrillo described the bay as “a closed and very good harbor,” which he called San Miguel. The name San Miguel was changed to San Diego 60 years later by another explorer, Sebastian Vizcaino.
