Temecula in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Great Oak

Photographed by Richard Johnson, August 8, 2010

1. The Great Oak Marker

Inscription. This is the place of the Great Oak or Wi’ia$ha (We-awsh-ah). The great oak is a member of the wi’ia$al or Coast Live Oak Family (Quercus Agrifolia). Estimates range anywhere from 500 to 2000 years old. The Great Oak continues to attract people to share its unique and endearing qualities, as it has done with its Luiseño friends for centuries.

Erected by The Pechanga Band (tribe) of Luiseno Indians.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 2000.

Location. 33° 26.502′ N, 117° 5.559′ W. Marker is in Temecula, California, in Riverside County. It can be reached from Rainbow Oaks Drive 3.8 miles south of Temecula Parkway (Interstate 15). 3.8 mi from I15 and Temecula Parkway Junction. .7 mi south from Temecula Parkway, 2.7 mi south on Pechanga Parkway (SR 79)/ Pala Road (S16). Left/east on Pechanga Road, .7 mi. Right/south, Tribal Governance Center, check at reception desk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Temecula CA 92590, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Patricia H. Birdsall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Cowboys (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Butterfield Overland Mail Route (approx. 2.6 miles away); Emigrants (approx. 2.6 miles away); Native Americans (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Bunkhouse (approx. 2.6 miles away); Foreman's House (approx. 2.6 miles away); Vail Ranch Cookhouse (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Temecula.

More about this marker. To visit the marker and The Great Oak, visitors must get permission and a guide from the Pechanga Band. Road directions are to the Tribal Governance Center. It is advisable to call the Tribe well ahead, (some weeks) of time

The Great Oak image. Click for full size.

August 8, 2010

2. The Great Oak

With a human next to it for scale.

to get permission to visit

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2010. This page has been viewed 2,422 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2010. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.