San Gabriel in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Arrival of Great Rejoicing

Juan Bautista de Anza

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 24, 2025

1. Arrival of Great Rejoicing Marker

Inscription.
After a perilous desert crossing, 30 families rejoiced upon arriving to Mission San Gabriel on January 4, 1776. These men, women, and children were the first colonists to come overland into present-day California. A party their size was too large to emigrate by sea. Instead, the families crossed the Colorado River with the help of the Quechan people, only to face 239 miles of barren landscape and fierce desert snowstorms. The mission offered respite before they continued north to establish the first Spanish settlement at San Francisco.

Erected by Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 4, 1776.

Location. 34° 5.795′ N, 118° 6.401′ W. Marker is in San Gabriel, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Mission Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 530 Mission Rd, San Gabriel CA 91776, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Welcome Destination (here, next to this marker); Mission San Gabriel Archangel / El Camino Real Door (a few steps from this marker); Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza (a few steps from this marker); San Gabriel Mission (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named San Gabriel Mission (a few steps from this marker); Juan Bautista de Anza (within shouting distance of this marker); 1776 Overland Immigration Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); Los Pobladores (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Gabriel.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Spanish Trail (was here, next to this marker but has been

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 24, 2025

2. Arrival of Great Rejoicing Marker

reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Arrival of Great Rejoicing. On January 4, 1776, Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza arrived at Mission San Gabriel with over 200 Spanish colonists and soldiers during the first successful overland expedition to Alta California. They arrived at the site near modern-day San Gabriel, resting after a long journey from Sonora, Mexico, to establish a settlement in San Francisco.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 48 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.