Mission Viejo in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
California's Mustard Seed Trail
Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 4, 2023
1. California's Mustard Seed Trail Marker
In 1769 Gasper de Portolá led a group of Spanish soldiers on a thousand-mile march from Baja California to San Francisco. His purpose was to locate the ports of San Diego and Monterey and to establish a series of churches and military posts. The route he followed wandered north along the coast from San Diego, connected the sites of the Missions San Luis Ray, San Juan Capistrano, and San Gabriel; turned west to Los Angeles and then north through the Salinas Valley inland from Monterey; and at last reach the site of Mission San Francisco de Asís (popularly called Mission Dolores).
Because there were no roads in those days, it was easy for travelers to lose their way. According to legend, the Spaniards sowed wild mustard seeds as they walked, and that plant’s yellow flowers marked the trail for their return and for others to follow. This thoroughfare linking California's presidios and missions was called El Camino Reál ("The Royal Road" or "The Kings Highway"), a designation given to roads that were public rather than private. It was used extensively by adventurers and traders, by explorers and settlers, by soldiers and priests. Today, light poles bearing mission bells remind travelers of the reason this road was established;
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the El Camino Real, “The King's Highway” (California) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1769.
Location. 33° 35.764′ N, 117° 39.578′ W. Marker is in Mission Viejo, California, in Orange County. It can be reached from Civic Center just west of Marguerite Parkway, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo CA 92692, 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, 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: Megan M. McClung (here, next to this marker); Daniel J. Santee (a few steps from this marker); Quoc Binh "Bo" Tran (a few steps from this marker); Colonel Aaron Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); September 11, 2001 (within shouting distance of this marker); Jason D. Peto (within shouting distance of this marker); First Marine Division (within
Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 4, 2023
2. California's Mustard Seed Trail Marker
Regarding California's Mustard Seed Trail. Historians today believe the legend of the Mustard Seed Trail is probably not true. Mustard plants could not mark a trail because they spread rapidly across the landscape, and the yellow blooms are only seen for a short time each spring.
Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 4, 2023
3. “The King’s Highway”
A poem by John Steven McGroarty, Poet Laureate of California 1933-1944.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 3,360 times since then and 132 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 4, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
