Two San Diego passenger ferries, Cabrillo and Silvergate, added to the National Register of Historic Places
Federal listing recognizes two vessels that helped shape cross-bay travel in San Diego
Two passenger ferries operating on San Diego Bay—Cabrillo and Silvergate—have been added to the National Register of Historic Places, a federal designation that identifies properties significant in American history, architecture, engineering, or culture.
The listings were recorded on April 3, 2025, for the vessels associated with two major waterfront terminals: the Broadway Pier area on the San Diego side of the bay and the Fifth Avenue Landing location near the Convention Center. The National Register is administered at the federal level by the National Park Service, and listings are documented with reference numbers assigned to each property.
What the Register listing does—and does not—do
National Register status is primarily a recognition and documentation tool. It can strengthen eligibility for certain preservation incentives and may be considered during reviews involving federal permitting, licensing, or funding. The designation does not automatically impose restrictions on private owners or daily operations, and it does not by itself guarantee financing for maintenance or restoration.
For maritime assets in active service, the listing underscores historic value while leaving room for modern safety, accessibility, and operational requirements that govern passenger transportation on the bay.
How the ferries fit into San Diego’s working waterfront
San Diego Bay’s passenger-ferry network plays a practical role in connecting downtown with Coronado while also serving visitors moving between waterfront attractions, convention activity, and the region’s tourism corridor. The system operates alongside other port activities, including commercial navigation, naval operations, and recreation, making reliability and route integration central to its public value.
The addition of Cabrillo and Silvergate to the National Register places the vessels within a broader historic framework that includes other preserved or documented maritime resources in the region. San Diego’s waterfront also includes museum ships recognized for historical significance, reflecting the city’s long-running relationship with shipbuilding, naval presence, and maritime commerce.
Key facts
Properties listed: Cabrillo (Ferry) and Silvergate (Ferry)
County: San Diego County, California
Listing date: April 3, 2025
Associated locations: Broadway Pier area (990 N. Harbor Drive) and Fifth Avenue Landing area (600 Convention Way)
The National Register is the United States’ official list of historic places considered worthy of preservation.
The listings add federal recognition to two vessels tied to everyday transportation on the bay—an acknowledgment that, in San Diego, maritime infrastructure is both functional and historically meaningful.