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

1776 Overland Immigration Expedition

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 2013

1. 1776 Overland Immigration Expedition Marker

Inscription.
In January of 1776, San Gabriel Mission was host to trailblazer Colonel Juan Bautista De Anza and over 200 colonists and soldiers, enroute from Sonora, Mexico, to become the first residents of San Francisco. This was the first overland immigration into Upper Alta California. Father Font, Diarist, said of San Gabriel, "On our arrival, they killed 4 sheep, whose meat was good. I do not remember having eaten mutton more fat and tender, also chicken. All of us loved San Gariel Mission, its fat cows that give rich milk from which cheese and butter was made." As Father Paterna says, "It is like the Promised Land."

Bienvenidos

Erected by Claretian Missionary Fathers 1908 to present.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1776.

Location. 34° 5.816′ N, 118° 6.397′ W. Marker is in San Gabriel, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on south Mission Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 428 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel CA 91776, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, 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

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distance of this marker: San Gabriel Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named San Gabriel Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission San Gabriel Archangel / El Camino Real Door (within shouting distance of this marker); Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza (within shouting distance of this marker); Arrival of Great Rejoicing (within shouting distance of this marker); A Welcome Destination (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan Bautista de Anza (within shouting distance of this marker); Chapman’s Mill and Millrace (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Gabriel.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Spanish Trail (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

San Gabriel Mission image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 2013

2. San Gabriel Mission

The person is walking along the sidewalk where the actual trail was.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 2013

3. 1776 Overland Immigration Expedition Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 2013

4. 1776 Overland Immigration Expedition Marker

De Anza Trail 1774 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 12, 2013

5. De Anza Trail 1774

The First Overland Route to California De Anza Trail Caballeros 1942

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,478 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 4, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.