The Royal Presidio of San Diego was established in 1769 and was the first permanent European settlement on the West Coast of what is now the United States.  It was the headquarters of the Spanish colonization of California.  A few months after the presidio was built, Father Junipero Serra established Mission San Diego a few miles to the east.

Actually, nothing remains of the original presidio except for a few artifacts housed at the Serra Museum.  This building in Spanish revival architecture was built in 1928-29 by George Marston, a wealthy San Diego merchant who had a penchant for preserving historic San Diego.  Marston was also instrumental in building the modern-day Balboa Park.

Despite the lack of true historic accuracy, Presidio Park is a beautiful site with impressive views of Mission Valley to the east and out to Mission Bay and the ocean to the west.  The next time you’re passing by and have an hour to kill, stop and see the Presidio.

Travel safe.  Have fun.

Related articles

• Happy 300, Father Junipero Serra (utsandiego.com)