Mission Valley in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

La Playa Trail

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 10, 2026

1. La Playa Trail Marker

Inscription.
La Playa Trail, the oldest commercial trail in the western United States.

Erected by Troop 508.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 32° 47.052′ N, 117° 6.422′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Mission Valley. It is on San Diego Mission Road near Caminito Yucatan, on the right when traveling west. Located at the San Diego Mission parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego CA 92108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Borderlands

and on the Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

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The Façade (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission San Diego de Alcala (within shouting distance of this marker); The Campanario (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mission San Diego de Alcala (within shouting distance of this marker); El Camino Real (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish Explorations (within shouting distance of this marker); Padres' Living Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); The Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 10, 2026

2. La Playa Trail Marker

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2005

3. La Playa Trail Marker

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2005

4. La Playa Trail Marker

Close-up of Artwork on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2005

5. Close-up of Artwork on Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,705 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 17, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.