Crossing This 109-Year-Old Bridge In Southern California Is Like Walking Through History
By Natasha Kayes|Published February 07, 2024
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
The Southern California city of San Diego is rich in history, with many reminders of the state’s early days, from its vibrant old town and Gaslamp Quarter to its historic landmarks and architecture. One of the most beautiful and recognizable historic sites in the city is Balboa Park, and entering it by crossing the 110-year-old Cabrillo Bridge in San Diego, CA, is like taking a stroll through the past.
The historic Cabrillo Bridge is a stunning feat of engineering that connects the Uptown area of the city with the famous urban park, and it has quite a story to tell.
The bridge was originally constructed for a world exposition that, over the course of two years, brought millions of people to the then-small city and really put it on the map as a tourist destination.
Initially, the bridge was intended mainly for pedestrians. Just before the expo, in 1914, when the bridge was completed and dedicated, Franklin D. Roosevelt (at the time the Assistant Secretary of the Navy) drove across it as part of its inauguration.
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The event was the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The expo was held from January 1, 1915, to January 1, 1917, in celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal, and to advertise San Diego as the first port north-bound ships would reach after passing through the canal to the west.
Throughout the exposition, tourists crossed over the Cabrillo Bridge to enter Balboa Park, where the event was centered. In addition to the bridge, much of what is seen now in the park was designed specifically for the exposition.
Another major event in Balboa Park, the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935, brought Roosevelt - now the President of the United States - back to cross the bridge once again.
In 2014 and 2015, improvements were made to the bridge including repaving, sidewalk repair, and seismic renovations. However, aside from the addition of lights, the experience of crossing Cabrillo Bridge remains the same as it was when the first tourists crossed it.
The multi-arched cantilever structure of the Cabrillo Bridge was an innovative design and made it the first of its kind in California. The height of the structure was determined by the canyon it crosses, resulting in the road crossing the bridge at ground level on either side.
A commemorative plaque recognizes this beautiful bridge as a San Diego Civil Engineering Landmark, reminding visitors of the site’s spectacular design and rich history.
Have you crossed the incredible Cabrillo Bridge in San Diego? Did you know about its cool history? Tell us about your favorite historic site in San Diego! If you’ve never explored the expansive Balboa Park, check outthis fantastic small group tour to see and learn about this amazing place.
