 So, intending to avoid further conflict with Spain, Drake navigated northwest of Spanish presence and sought discreet site at which the crew could prepare for the journey back to England.On 5 June 1579, the ship briefly made first landfall at South Cove, Cape Arago, just south of Coos Bay, Oregon, and then sailed south while searching for a suitable harbour to repair his ailing ship.On 17 June, Drake and his crew found a protected cove when they landed on the Pacific coast of what is now Northern California.