San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Sergeant Jose Francisco Ortega

Photographed by Adam Margolis

1. Sergeant Jose Francisco Ortega Marker

Inscription. Sergeant Jose Francisco Ortega was the chief Scout for the Gaspar de Portola exploratory expedition in 1769. While exploring a route for Portola on their way to Monterey Bay, he was the first non-Native American to discover Capistrano Valley. Nearby State Highway 74 was named in his honor.

Erected 2014 by Katie West Art.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1769.

Location. 33° 30.036′ N, 117° 39.582′ W. Marker is in San Juan Capistrano, California, in Orange County. It is on Del Obispo Street 0.1 miles south of Ortega Highway, on the right when traveling north. Marker is fixed to the McDonald's resturant along the eastern side of Del Obispo Street. Marker is facing due south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31822 Del Obispo St, San Juan Capistrano CA 92675, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally,

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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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Acjachemen people (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early People of Capistrano Valley (about 500 feet away); Frederica and Wilhelm Stroschein (about 500 feet away); Starting in The Mid 19th Century (about 500 feet away); Blas Aguilar Adobe (about 500 feet away); Historic Town Center Park / The Mendelson Inn (about 600 feet away); El Camino Real (about 800 feet away); El Camino Real Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Juan Capistrano.

Photographed by Adam Margolis

2. Sergeant Jose Francisco Ortega Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 812 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.