Millbrae in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
First Camp after Discovery of San Francisco Bay
On November 4, 1769, the expedition of Captain Gaspar de Portola, after crossing Sweeny Ridge, beheld the Bay of San Francisco for the first time. That night they camped at a small lagoon, now covered by San Andreas Lake. Finding the bay too large to go around and thinking they had by-passed Monterey Bay, the expedition camped here again on November 12, 1769 on their return to San Diego.
First made a State Registered Historical Landmark No.27, June 15, 1932, this site was rededicated as a U.S.A. Bicentennial Project of San Andreas Lake Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and the City of Millbrae, California on November 6, 1976
Location granted by the State of California
Monument Base of Serpentine Rock, Official State Rock of California, Furnished by the San Francisco Water Department.
Erected 1976 by San Andreas Lake Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), San Francisco Water Department and The City of Millbrae. (Marker Number 27.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Portolá Expedition series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 27, 1967.
Location. 37° 35.337′ N, 122° 24.788′ W. Marker is in Millbrae, California, in San Mateo County. Marker is at the intersection of Hillcrest Boulevard and San Andreas Valley Road, on the right when traveling west on Hillcrest Boulevard. The marker is located at the trailhead of the San Andreas Lake Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Millbrae CA 94030, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The San Andreas Fault (approx. 0.6 miles away); Millbrae Historical Society (approx. 1.3 miles away); George Lange Kelly (approx. 1.3 miles away); Flight 7 (approx. 1.3 miles away); Kohl Mansion (approx. 1.7 miles away); Tanforan Assembly Center Commemorative Garden (approx. 3.2 miles away); Seabiscuit (approx. 3.2 miles away); First Shipboard Landing (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Millbrae.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. California Genealogy: Gaspar de Portola. (Submitted on January 12, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. The Explorers, 1492-1774. San Diego History Center:
"The History of San Diego is a seven volume series covering the history of San Diego from the time of European exploration through 1970. The first book begins with Native Americans in the San Diego region before European colonization." Volume One, "The Explorers, 1492-1774" can be accessed here. (Submitted on February 12, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Additional Campsites of the Caspar de Portola Expedition
There are eleven State Registered Historical Landmark sites in San Mateo County depicting the campsites of Caspar de Portola. Not all of them have markers or plaques.
— Submitted January 12, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,158 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on December 12, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 12, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on June 16, 2023, by Joe Teresi of Millbrae, California. 4. submitted on January 12, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on January 31, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.