Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo João Rodrigues Cabrilho | |
|---|---|
Posthumous depiction of Cabrillo | |
| Born | c. 1497 Lapela de Cabril, Montalegre, Kingdom of Portugal |
| Died | January 3, 1543 (aged 45–46) |
| Known for | First European in Alta California |
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo (Portuguese: João Rodrigues Cabrilho; c. 1497 – January 3, 1543) was a Portuguese maritime explorer best known for investigations of the west coast of North America, undertaken on behalf of the Spanish Empire. He was the first European to explore present-day Alta California, navigating along the coast of California in 1542–1543 on his voyage from New Spain (modern Mexico).