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

The Portolá Expedition

Portola Expedition Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 29, 2013

1. Portola Expedition Marker

Inscription. Here came the first men with Portola and Fr. Crespi, October 9, 1769. This river they called Rio del Pajaro

Erected 1905 by Women of Watsonville.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Portolá Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 9, 1863.

Location. 36° 54.278′ N, 121° 45.022′ W. Marker is in Pajaro, California, in Monterey County. It is at the intersection of San Juan Road (County Road G11) and Porter Drive, on the left when traveling south on San Juan Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 San Juan Road, Watsonville CA 95076, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast 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

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: The City of Watsonville (approx. 0.4 miles away); Porter Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Year to Remember in Watsonville (approx. half a mile away); This Gun Was Used (approx. half a mile away); The City Plaza (approx. half a mile away); The Lettunich Building (approx. half a mile away); The Mansion House (approx. half a mile away); Judge Julius Lee House (approx. half a mile away).

Also see . . . The Portolá Expedition of 1769. The following day they reached the Pajaro River, which they named for the large straw-stuffed bird (pajaro in Spanish) with a wingspan of over six feet in a deserted Indian village (the inhabitants fled after a visit from the scouts the previous day). (Submitted on February 11, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 29, 2013

2. Portola Expedition Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 647 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 11, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.