Mission Valley in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

El Camino Real

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2005

1. El Camino Real Marker

Inscription.
This plaque is placed on the 250th anniversary of the birth of California’s Apostle Padre Junipero Serra O.F.M., to mark the Southern terminus of El Camino Real as Padre Serra knew it and helped to blaze it.
1713 – November 24 – 1963

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 784

Erected 1963 by The California State Park Commission in cooperation with the Committee For El Camino Real, December 29, 1963. (Marker Number 784.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Religion & Religious Structures • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the El Camino Real, “The King's Highway” (California) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 24, 1840.

Location. 32° 47.056′ N, 117° 6.377′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Mission Valley. It can be reached from San Diego Mission Road. Marker is mounted on the front of the main building at the Mission San Diego de Acala. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego CA 92108, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mission San Diego de Alcala (here, next to this marker); a different

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marker also named Mission San Diego de Alcala (within shouting distance of this marker); Padres' Living Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); The Façade (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish Explorations (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); Padre Luis Jayme (within shouting distance of this marker); The Campanario (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Also see . . .
1. California Bell. This is a commercial site for the company that manufactures the replacement bells for installation along the original El Camino Real. There is a very informative article regarding the history and current status of this historical route. (Submitted on October 1, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

2. Looking Back: The Mission Bells Along the El Camino Real. San Jose Public Library website entry (Submitted on February 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 31, 2015

2. El Camino Real Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,363 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 1, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2. submitted on April 10, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.