After a shakedown cruise off the coast of California and Mexico, from March 14 through May 28, 1907, Milwaukee departed San Francisco, California on June 26, 1907 and cruised off the coast of San Salvador and Costa Rica threatening the local population and engaging in target practice with the squadron in Magdalena Bay. On March 26, 1908, the cruiser sailed from San Francisco for Bremerton, Washington, where she was placed in reserve on April 25. Except for a cruise in the summer of 1908 which took her to Hawaii and to Honduras, the ship remained in reserve status at Puget Sound Navy Yard until decommissioned on May 3, 1910.