TO SAN DIEGO. 79 
leaving us within a quarter of a mile of Point Concep- 
tion. This isa plateau extending a couple of miles 
beyond the coast range of mountains. Saw two or three 
ranchos, surrounded by clusters of trees, and large num- 
bers of cattle grazing upon the declivities of the moun- 
_ tains and upon the plain, which, to judge from its bril- 
liant green hue, was covered with rich grass. In the 
night, the wind came around from the north-east with 
a thick fog. 
April 20th. The northern point of the island of 
Santa Rosa, bore south six miles. Light winds and 
calms during the day. At2 p.m. the steamer Active, 
of the Coast Survey, passed us. At nine, saw a light 
ahead and pursued it for an hour or more, thinking the 
vessel it was in might proveasmugegler. Finally came 
up with and hailed her; when she was found to be a 
small craft bound to the islands in search of sea-lions, 
which abound there, and are taken for the oil they 
furnish. 
April 21st. Light winds during the day, with fog 
and haze. Could discover no current. Reached San 
Pedro at 9 p. m., and came to anchor. The wind blew 
quite fresh from the north-west during the night. 
_ April 22d. San Pedro is an open bay or roadstead, 
about fifteen miles across from the two points which 
bound it, and scarcely deserves the name of a harbor. 
It is exposed to the prevailing winds, and affords no 
protection save on the east and north. When caught 
with a southerly gale, vessels are obliged to stand across 
to the islands of Catalina, twelve miles distant, for safe- 
ty. It is the Port of Los Angeles, twenty-nine miles 
distant, and contains but two houses. These are quite 
