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

De Anza Crossing of the Santa Ana River

California Registered Landmark No. 787

— 1775 and 1776 —

De Anza Crossing of the Santa Ana River Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris Bell, October 23, 2010

1. De Anza Crossing of the Santa Ana River Marker

Inscription. On January 1, 1776, the first party of colonists to come overland to the Pacific Coast crossed the Santa Ana River south of this marker and camped between here and the river. Recruited in the presidios of Sonora, Mexico, and led by Lt. Col. Juan Bautista de Anza, who had established the trail a year earlier, this humble and heroic band of 242 men, women and children continued north and founded San Francisco. Thus was set a boundary to Russian expansion from the north. Three precarious missions were being maintained by uncertain ocean voyages prior to the opening of De Anza's Trail. Afterward, the flourishing missions and ranchos of Spanish California sprang from the droves of cattle, sheep, and horses brought over the trail.

Erected 1964 by Riverside Pioneer Historical Society, De Anza Caballeros, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Jurupa Parlor No. 196, Native Sons of the Golden West Riverside Parlor No. 299, Rubidoux Chapter N.S.D.A.R. (Marker Number 787.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Notable Events • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the

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California Historical Landmarks, the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1876.

Location. 33° 58.555′ N, 117° 26.474′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It can be reached from Moraga Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the Jurupa Hills Country Club Golf Course between the clubhouse and No. 1 tee. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6161 Moraga Avenue, Jurupa Valley CA 92509, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, 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: De Anza Trail (approx. 0.8 miles away); MALSR (approx. 1.8 miles away); Jensen-Alvarado Ranch (approx. 1.9 miles away); Henry M. Streeter House (approx. 2.1 miles away); Rubidoux Grist Mill Site (approx. 2.4 miles away); Camp Anza Officer's Club (approx. 2.7 miles away); John Swanson Residence (approx. 2.8 miles away); Fr. Junipero Serra (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Also see . . . Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail Guide: Riverside County. (Submitted on January 2, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California.)

Photographed by Chris Bell, October 23, 2010

2. De Anza Crossing of the Santa Ana River Marker

Jurupa Hills Country Club and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris Bell, October 23, 2010

3. Jurupa Hills Country Club and Marker

Inland Empire Make-a-Wish Foundation Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris Bell, October 23, 2010

4. Inland Empire Make-a-Wish Foundation Dedication Plaque

Photographed by Chris Bell, October 23, 2010

5. Inland Empire Make-a-Wish Foundation Dedication Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,783 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 28, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 2, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.