Site of New Albion

To the Coast Miwok, 1579 brought strangers who camped five weeks on their shore. Drake's chroniclers left some of the earliest written descriptions of them; their descendants are among the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Where the Golden Hind was careened is still argued. The state chose the mouth of Drakes Estero in 2021, and the Park Service bars its plaque. Four others stand. The Guild's stone quotes Drake's plate of brass; the plate that surfaced in 1936 was a Clampers' hoax, and their 1950 relief is near Chimney Rock. A 2016 Park Service plaque marks the wider district.

What the plaque says

In commemoration of the landing of Francis Drake H.M.S. "Golden Hinde" upon these shores June 17, 1579. This cross is erected by the Sir Francis Drake Association of California June 1946 On June 17, 1579 Francis Drake landed on these shores and took possession of the country, calling it Nova Albion. Dedicated June 17, 1950 Yerba Buena Chapter E Clampus Vitus Nova Albion On June 17, 1579, Captain Francis Drake sailed his ship, Golden Hinde, into the Gulf of the Farallones and the bay that now bears his name. He sighted these white cliffs and named the land Nova Albion. During his 36 day encampment in California, Drake repaired his ship, established contact with local Indians, explored inland, took on supplies and water, and claimed the region for Queen Elizabeth I. The Golden Hinde set sail on July 23 and ventured into the unknown Pacific. Reaching Plymouth, England on September 26, 1580, after a voyage of two years and nine months, Drake became the first Englishman and expedition commander to circumnavigate the earth. Drake's exploits and claim encouraged England to colonize Roanoke in 1585, and Jamestown in 1607. Captain John Smith, in 1616, named the east coast New England, a reflection of Drake's Nova Albion. Sir Francis Drake Quadricentennial Committee June 16, 1979 Portus Novae Albionis This cove is believed by many scholars to be the site of Sir Francis Drake's California harbor, where he careened the Golden Hinde to repair a leak received at sea and replenished his ship from 17 June to 23 July 1579. He made camp ashore, and from the surrounding hills the local Indians observed the Englishmen and descended to establish friendly contact. When his work was nearly completed, he made a journey "up into the land" where he found the inland "farre different from the shoare, a goodly country...." Before departing to complete his circumnavigation of the world, he erected a monument of a "great and firme post" with a plate of brass to claim the land for Queen Elizabeth I, naming it Nova Albion for the white cliffs "which lie toward the sea." Placed by the Drake Navigators Guild 1979

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Pioneer Paper Mill — 11 mi
• Lime Kilns — 11 mi
• Site of the Lighter Wharf at Bolinas — 15 mi
• Home of Lord Charles Snowden Fairfax — 20 mi