San Gabriel in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
San Gabriel Mission
Photographed by Denise Boose
1. San Gabriel Mission Marker
San Gabriel Mission was founded by Fr. Pedro Benito Cambon (statue above right) and Fr. Angel Fernandez de la Somera (statue above left) on Sept. 8, 1771 in nearby Montebello by the Rio Hondo River, and moved to this location in 1775. This mission's Cross above the entrance door was first installed about 1959, taken down for earthquake retrofit in early 1990's, was restored and rededicated on March 7, 2009 at 11 a.m. The El Camino Real bell in front of the church was cast, and then placed here on Aug. 15, 1906, by Los Angeles Section, El Camino Real Association.
Erected 2009 by El Camino Real Association. (Marker Number 158.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the El Camino Real, “The King's Highway” (California) series lists.
Location. 34° 5.8′ N, 118° 6.392′ W. Marker is in San Gabriel, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from South Mission Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 428 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel CA 91776, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers.
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Spanish Trail (was a few steps from this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
Regarding San Gabriel Mission. This is California Historical Landmark No. 158 -- Mission San Gabriel Arcangel.
California Historical Landmark Statement of Significance: The mission was founded September 8, 1771 by Padres Pedro Benito Cambon and Angel Fernαndez de la Somera. The present church building was begun during the latter part of the 18th century and completed in the year 1800.
Photographed by Denise Boose
2. San Gabriel Mission Marker
Photographed by Denise Boose
3. San Gabriel Mission Markers
Photographed by Denise Boose
4. San Gabriel Mission
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 24, 2025
5. The Markers are Missing
Photographed by Denise Boose
6. Fr. Pedro Benito Cambon
Photographed by Denise Boose
7. Fr. Angel Fernandez de la Somera
Photographed by Denise Boose
8. Fray Junipero Serra Statue
No longer here in front of the church.
Photographed by Denise Boose
9. Fray Junipero Serra Statue Marker
Carlton Watkins collection/UCLA, circa 1882
10. San Gabriel Mission - 1882
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 2,079 times since then and 166 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 14, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 5. submitted on November 21, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on July 14, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 10. submitted on February 23, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
