Near Vista in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Rancho Guajome
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Rancho Guajome Marker
Formerly attached to Mission San Luνs Rey, the 2,219-acre ranch passed through brief ownership by two Mission Indians, then Don Abel Stearns, and into possession of Ysidora Bandini upon marriage to Col. Cave Johnson Couts. The adobe ranch house, built in 1852-53, is one of the finest extant examples of the traditional Spanish-Mexican one-story hacienda with an inner-outer courtyard plan. It was acquired by San Diego County in 1973 for the Guajome Regional Park.
Erected 1981 by California State Parks, San Diego County Parks, and E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 940.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the E Clampus Vitus, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.
Location. 33° 13.995′ N, 117° 15.221′ W. Marker is near Vista, California, in San Diego County. It can be reached from Santa Fe Avenue 2 miles south of California Route 76, on the right when traveling south. Located in Rancho Guajome Adobe County Park, near the chapel. Touch for map
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular 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. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mission San Luνs Rey de Francia (approx. 3.8 miles away); Andrew Jackson Myers (approx. 3.9 miles away); Oldest Pepper Tree in California (approx. 3.9 miles away); Walled Garden (approx. 3.9 miles away); Reckless (approx. 5 miles away); Operation Enduring Freedom/ Operation Iraqi Freedom (approx. 5.9 miles away); Major General Joseph H. Pendleton (approx. 5.9 miles away); Hosp Grove (approx. 6.4 miles away).
Regarding Rancho Guajome. This is California Historical Landmark No. 940.
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Rancho Guajome Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Rancho Guajome Marker
The marker is hidden in the landscaping at the corner of the lawn, near the Chapel.
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. Rancho Guajome
County of San Diego Parks and Recreation website
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015
5. Guajome Ranch House
Photographed by Craig Baker
6. National Historic Landmark
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015
7. National Historic Landmark plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 521 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on April 7, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 6. submitted on April 21, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on April 7, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
