Near Borrego Springs in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Santa Catarina

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 18, 2008

1. Santa Catarina Marker

Inscription. This spring area was named by Captain Juan Bautista De Anza when his Overland Exploration party camped here on March 14, 1774. During the opening of the Anza Trail from Sonora into Alta California. Anza's colonizing expedition of 1775, consisting of 240 persons and over 800 head of livestock, camped here the night of December 23.

Erected 1963 by California State Park Commission in cooperation with the Squibob Chapter, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 785.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the E Clampus Vitus, and the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1774.

Location. 33° 22.327′ N, 116° 26.447′ W. Marker is near Borrego Springs, California, in San Diego County. It can be reached from no nearby street. Marker is located in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park north of the town of Borrega Springs. Marker is accessible by 4WD vehicles only. Borrega Springs is north of State Route 78 on Borrega Springs Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Borrego Springs CA 92004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within

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15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Anza Trail (approx. 3.4 miles away); Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (approx. 8.1 miles away); Peg Leg Smith (approx. 9.8 miles away); De Anza Camp (approx. 12.7 miles away); San Gregorio (approx. 14.3 miles away).

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 18, 2008

2. Santa Catarina Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,463 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.