Life Amid the Palms

March 2024 - Welcome!

San Diego Vintage Palms & The First One's Story

Have you ever been to San Diego (SD)? If so, you've noticed many types of palm trees in SD, up & down so many streets. Those who haven't been to SoCal sometimes even ask: "Does San Diego have palm trees?" We know they're there - especially now!

But today we're focusing on some historic SD palms. Take a drive with us!

Tales of San Diego Palm Tree History

The historical natural flora environment of San Diego is not like you'd see today. The climate there is coastal desert. Without the high temperatures of inland deserts. Yet as deserts have: low overall rainfall (isn't there a song: It Never Rains in Southern California?). Yep!

It's also called a Mediterranean climate. People think of palm trees growing in the humid tropics. But Palms Do Grow in Deserts>

Before the arrival of Europeans, the San Diego area supported lots of grassland. We've taken many drives along South Coast (101) & Pacific Coast Highway, when we lived in SD. Noticed there's still some remaining grasslands.

Chaparral, Sage & Prickly Pear Cactus also grew in coastal areas. There's even one native coastal pine, The Torrey. See them when you take Interstate-5 Exit-26A & drive west.

Next go inland a bit off I-5 onto Hwy.52 traveling through & accessing San Clemente Canyon. Where there are yuccas. Then further uphill & to the mountains around Julian, you'd find more trees like Ponderosa Pine, Sycamore, Oaks,& some Cypress.

Native Grassland & Trees Along the Road to Julian.

But Palm Trees?

There is one palm that's native to California, historically growing within range of the San Diego County area. Near springs, intermittent arroyos, plus eastern fault areas. It's Washingtonia filifera, The Desert Fan Palm.

Palm Canyon in Southern California filled with Native Desert Fan Palms

Yet they weren't the city of San Diego's first palm tree.

Deeper Into the History of Palm Trees in San Diego

The Folk Ballad of the Serra Palm

In 1769 a Spanish military expedition arrived in (now) San Diego. With a religious component led by a Franciscan, Father Serra. They all held a thankful celebration in what's today's Presidio Park.

Historic Memorial in Old Town San Diego

It's said that during this event, Father Serra planted the first Palm Tree in San Diego. A second one adjacent. (Who actually planted it & the species isn't confirmed!)

More palms grew, as seeds from the originals scattered the area. Through the years, people loved these palms, especially the first two. In 1869, the populous began insisting on safekeeping for this popular landmark. A picket fence was built around the two original palms in 1887.

Around 1915 a tempestuous storm hit Southern California. High winds toppled over the 2nd original palm. Stunned locals then began calling the first: Serra Palm. They wanted something done to better protect it. In 1929 a citizen's donation funded a better fence. 

By 1950 this Serra Palm was beginning to suffer. From the insults of senescence (as old age is called in the Botany world), more bad weather, and/or human encroachment. Especially affected by high winds, like The Santa Anas, the Serra Palm needed help to continue surviving. In 1941 public sentiment again insisted on a helping hand. Resulting in supporting cables.

Locally SD known, Serra Palm was honored by the City with a plaque in a September 2, 1950 ceremony. The Serra was then upwards of 80ft./24+m tall & suffering nutritionally. On June 6, 1957 it was cut down. Some Parts of the Palm were given to interested citizens.

Even though this tale is legendary, known facts do confirm these palms, also called Old Town Palms, were the first palm trees in San Diego. The plaque is on the California Register of Historical Resources.

Reference: Trent, H. & Seymour, J. (n.d.). Examining California’s first palm tree: The Serra Palm. San Diego History Center.

NO. 67 SERRA PALM - Site of the palm planted in 1769 by Padre Junípero Serra when he arrived at San Diego. Here the four divisions of the Portolá Expedition met on July 1, 1769. The famous 'El Camino Real, most celebrated trail in California, begins here.

Record From CA Office of Historic Preservation: ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21478

Historical Moonlight Beach Palm Essay Wins an Award

From the City of San Diego, head north on Interstate-5. Exit at 41B & head west to Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, SD County. First see the panorama at the Moonlight Beach Overlook. To the north spot Moonlight Beach with its historical palm planted right in the sand.

This Canary Island Palm is about 60ft./18m tall, now around 50 years old. It's been the centerpiece for local postcards. But recently it's been given heritage recognition, with placement on the Encinitas Protected Special Trees list.

All thanks to a Moonlight Beach neighborhood high school student. Tanner McConlogue, who wrote an essay nominating the palm for Encinitas Heritage Recognition.

They say it's hard to find unless you've someway heard about it. For all our SD years, dropping in at Encinitas, we never knew it was there! This beach is a fabulous spot to get Pacific coast sunset views, with a palm as the foreground.

Reference: Henry, B. (2023, Aug. 5). Moonlight Beach palm tree wins heritage status in Encinitas. The San Diego Times Union.

Honored Historical Palm Standing Tall on the Beach as the Sun Sets

Til Next Time,

Karen & Bill of Mission: Palm Trees

P.S. Don't miss these Latest Articles - See all the Palm Help & Fun, available by subject be sure to check out our Mission: Palm Trees Site Index

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