Trail Markers
La Playa Trail Markers
There are numerous designated historic sites along La Playa Trail. To commemorate a few of these locations, members of La Playa Trail Association have installed markers. There are four original markers still in existence, one original marker that has been replaced, and one new marker.
The Original Six
La Playa Trail Association was founded in 2005 to carry on the work of earlier trailblazers who identified historic sites along the oldest commercial route in the western United States.
In 1932, John and Winifred Davidson, curators of Serra Museum, and other community leaders, made the decision to install six concrete markers, or monuments, to commemorate La Playa Trail. San Diego’s mover and shaker, George Marston, the local Portuguese community, architect Richard Requa, San Diego Historical Society, San Diego Federation of Women’s Clubs, and local garden clubs were active in the placement of these markers.
The original markers feature a bas-relief of an Indian and a Mexican carreta (or ox cart), and were designed by Old Town sculptor, Rose Hanks.
Locations of these six monuments are: (see more info below)
- Roseville
- Loma Portal
- Presidio
- San Diego Mission
- La Playa
- Midway
New Markers
Two new markers have been dedicated by La Playa Trail Association in recent years:
- Chinese Fisherman's Monument – located on Talbot Street at the north end of La Playa Cove
- A new Roseville Marker replaces the original – located at Rosecrans Street and Avenida de Portugal
VISIT OUR Trail Markers
Roseville
Loma Portal
Loma Portal
Where to Find
Rosecrans Street and Avenida de Portugal
Significance
The first monument was
dedicated January 10, 1934.
This monument marks the site of the first settlement in Point Loma by founder Louis Rose. Unique to this marker was a time capsule sealed within.
Status of the Marker
The original marker has been lost.
A new marker was dedicated April 29, 2010 by
La Playa Trail Association. It, too, contains a time capsule.
Loma Portal
Loma Portal
Loma Portal
Original Location
On the southwest corner of Rosecrans and Lytton Streets
Significance
The second monument was dedicated January 27, 1934.
This monument marks the "Old Rock Trail" leading from Old Town to the Pacific Ocean.
Status of the Marker
This marker has been lost.
Presidio
Loma Portal
Presidio
Where to Find
On Taylor Street
at the foot of Presidio Hill
Significance
This monument marks the site of the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast, El Presidio Real de San Diego, and was established May 14, 1769 by Commandant Pedro Fages for Spain. It is also the site of the first mission in California, founded by Fr. Junipero Serra.
This third marker was dedicated February 16, 1934 by the San Diego Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Status of the Marker
This marker is still standing, and has been refurbished, thanks to the generosity of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
La Playa
San Diego Mission
Presidio
Where to Find
At the entrance to Naval Base Point Loma, at the south end of Rosecrans Street
Significance
This fourth La Playa Trail marker honors Explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and was dedicated March 10, 1934.
Status of the Marker
The marker still stands, and has been refurbished, thanks to the generosity of the United States Navy.
San Diego Mission
San Diego Mission
San Diego Mission
Where to Find
Located on the west side of the visitors' parking lot,
San Diego Mission
Significance
Originally established in 1769 by Fr. Junipero Serra, on Presidio Hill, San Diego Mission was relocated to its present site in 1774, the first in a chain of 21 California missions.
La Playa Trail's
fifth historical marker
was dedicated June 10, 1934 and was sponsored by San Diego Historical Society and Catholic Daughters of America.
Status of the Marker
The marker is still standing and has been refurbished, thanks to the generosity of
Boy Scout Troop 508.
Midway
San Diego Mission
San Diego Mission
Where to Find
On the east side of Rosecrans Street near Midway Drive
Significance
The sixth and last of the original monuments was dedicated September 28, 1934, near the corner of Rosecrans Street and Midway Drive. It marked the 392nd anniversary of the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542.
Status of the Marker
The original 1934 marker was refurbished by La Playa Trail Association and North Bay Association in 2006.
The original location had been in the median of Rosecrans Street, southwest of Midway Drive intersection.
New marker
Chinese Fisherman's Monument
Located on Talbot Street at the north end of La Playa Cove, this marker is dedicated to the Chinese fishing community that existed here from 1860–1890. On these shores, Chinese fishermen lived in redwood shanties and peddled their fish to locals who lived along the Trail.
The monument was placed by La Playa Trail Association and dedicated in 2012.