San Clemente in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

La Cristianita

Photographed By Adam Margolis, July 27, 2014

1. La Cristianita Marker

Inscription. Two miles inland from this point, in Los Cristianitos Valley, the first Christian baptism in Alta California was performed by Padre Francisco Gómez, a member of the Portolá Expedition, in 1769.

Erected 1957 by California State Park Commission in co-operation with Orange County. (Marker Number 562.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1769.

Location. 33° 25.341′ N, 117° 37.225′ W. Marker is in San Clemente, California, in Orange County. Marker can be reached from Avenida Granada west of Avenida Del Mar. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente CA 92672, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. San Clemente Pier (approx. 0.2 miles away); San Clemente World War II Honor Roll (approx. 0.2 miles away); Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens (approx. 0.2 miles away); City of San Clemente Lifeguards (approx. ¼ mile away); San Clemente Island & Catalina Island (approx. 0.4 miles away); San Clemente (approx.

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0.7 miles away); Basilone Road (approx. 2.4 miles away); Panhe: Place by the Water (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Clemente.

More about this marker. This plaque is located at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. It was originally in San Clemente Civic Center, at 100 Avenida Presidio. Another marker is located on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, not open to the public.

Additional keywords. California Historical Landmark 562

The Original La Cristianita Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Beeman, June 18, 2006

2. The Original La Cristianita Marker

Adjacent Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Beeman, June 18, 2006

3. Adjacent Plaque

Photographed By Craig Baker, 2017

4. La Cristianita Marker

The marker is at far right.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2006, by Joseph Beeman of Upland, California. This page has been viewed 3,447 times since then and 118 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on January 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2006, by Joseph Beeman of Upland, California. 4. submitted on February 10, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.