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Portolá Expedition Historical Markers

The Portolá expedition, consisting of 64 persons, set out from San Diego on July 14, 1769 in search of Monterey Bay.
 
By Joseph Alvarado, April 6, 2023
Governor Juan Bautista Valentin Alvarado & Maria Martina Castro de Alvarado Headstone
1 ► California, Alameda County, Oakland, St Mary's Cemetery — Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado — Martina Castro de Alvarado —
Marker: Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado 02/14/1809 – 7/13/1882 Juan Bautista Valentin Alvarado y Vallejo was born in Monterey, Alta California under Spanish rule. His family came with the Portola-Serra Expedition to settle Alta . . . — — Map (db m220002) HM
2 ► California, Los Angeles County, Beverly Hills — 665 — Portolá Trail — 1769 —
The expedition of Don Gaspar de Portolá from Mexico passed this way en route to Monterey to begin the Spanish colonization of California. With Captain Don Fernando Rivera y Moncada, Lieutenant Don Pedro Fages, Sergeant José Francisco Ortega, and . . . — — Map (db m125155) HM
3 ► California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, Elysian Park — 655 — Portolá Trail — 1769 —
Spanish colonization of California began in 1769 with the expedition of Don Gaspar de Portolá from Mexico. With Captain Don Fernando Rivera y Moncada, Lieutenant Don Pedro Fages, Sgt. José Francisco Ortega, and Fathers Juan Crespí and Francisco . . . — — Map (db m115177) HM
4 ► California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles — 522 — Tongva Springs — Serra Springs — Wounded Deer Springs —
Marked this day March 20 1976, as a California Historical Spanish Colonial Landmark “In 1776 Portola encamped at the springs, part of the Rancho San Vicente - Santa Monica, known as the: 1. Junipero Serra Springs; 2. El Berrendo; 3. San Gregorio; . . . — — Map (db m122157) HM
5 ► California, Monterey County, Gonzales — The Mustard Seed Trail — One Voice Murals Project —
The legend of “the mustard seed trail” is rooted in the Portola expedition which travelled through the Ohlone tribal lands with a wagon containing sacks of mustard seeds. These seeds were spread behind them as they travelled north in the winter, . . . — — Map (db m64255) HM
6 ► California, Monterey County, Monterey — 128 — Don Gaspar de Portolá —
On June 3, 1770, near this spot, Don Gaspar de Portolá, Soldier, Explorer, Patriot of Spain, founded the Presidio and settlement of Monterey. — — Map (db m135033) HM
7 ► California, Monterey County, Monterey — Monterey Harbor —
□ Look out upon these waters. □ Their recorded history began when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sighted the "Bay of Pines" on Nov. 17, 1542. □ Sebastian Viscaino was first to touch land Dec. 16, 1602. He claimed the land for . . . — — Map (db m30347) HM
8 ► California, Monterey County, Pacific Grove — Crespi Pond — Named for Fray Juan Crespi — 1721-1782 —
Franciscan Padre, Missionary and Companion of Padre Junipero Berra Diarist of Portola Expedition Who passed this place Point Pinos October 1, 1769 — — Map (db m296342) HM
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9 ► California, Monterey County, Pajaro — The Portolá Expedition —
Here came the first men with Portola and Fr. Crespi, October 9, 1769. This river they called Rio del Pajaro — — Map (db m63257) HM
10 ► California, Monterey County, Seaside — Portola-Crespi Monument —
In the winter of 1769, the Spanish expedition in search of Monterey Bay, under the command of Don Gaspar de Portola and Father Juan Crespi, erected a cross on or near this site and left the following message: “The land expedition . . . — — Map (db m68863) HM
11 ► California, Orange County, Brea — Don Gaspar de Portolá — "Don Gaspor Portola" —
Don Gaspor Portola with 60 men camped here July 31, 1769 on his first exploring route from San Diego to Monterey. — — Map (db m130638) HM
12 ► California, Orange County, Las Flores — Oso Parkway Bridge — Historical Marker —
It was near this site on July 22, 1760 that Captian Gaspar de Portola joined by 63 men and two priests, stepped into history by crossing the Arroyo Trabuco during the first Spanish expedition into Alta California. Today, June 8, 1992, the County of . . . — — Map (db m198396) HM
13 ► California, Orange County, Orange — 204 — Old Santa Ana —
Portola camped on bank of Santa Ana River in 1769. Jose Antonio Yorba, member of expedition, later returned to Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. El Camino Real crossed river in this vicinity. Place was designated Santa Ana by travelers, and known by . . . — — Map (db m50302) HM
14 ► California, Orange County, San Juan Capistrano — Don Gaspar de Portola Building —
As Governor of Baja California Portola was the military leader of the Spanish expedition into Alta California, which camped near the future site of the Mission on July 23, 1769 — — Map (db m199165) HM
15 ► California, Orange County, San Juan Capistrano — Historic Town Center Park / The Mendelson Inn —
Historic Town Center Park Today the San Juan Capistrano down town and Mission San Juan Capistrano are situated on the site of the Juaneño village of Acjachema. History explains that in 1769 the first Spanish exploratory expedition, led . . . — — Map (db m51947) HM
16 ► California, San Diego County, Camp Pendleton South — 1026 — Santa Margarita Ranch —
In July, 1769, the Portola Expedition named this area for St. Margaret of Antioch. The Mission San Luis Rey 1827 inventories list a small building in the area. In 1841, Rancho Santa Margarita y San Onofre was granted to Andres and Pio Pico, the last . . . — — Map (db m51107) HM
17 ► California, San Diego County, San Diego, Old Town — 67 — Serra Palm —
Traditionally the earliest planted tree in California. Directly in the rear, beneath the brow of the hill, lie the dead of the sacred expedition of 1769. Burial place of our first unknown soldiers. — — Map (db m11959) HM
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18 ► California, San Diego County, San Diego, Point Loma — 891 — Spanish Landing —
Near this point, sea and land parties of the Portola-Serra Expedition met. Two ships, the San Antonio and San Carlos, anchored on May 4-5, 1769. The scurvy-weakened survivors of the voyage established a camp, where on May 14 and July 1 they greeted . . . — — Map (db m51104) HM
19 ► California, San Luis Obispo County, Cambria — Greenspace Creekside Reserve — Welcome! —
Greenspace - The Cambria Land Trust Greenspace acquired this 1.6-acre property in 1999 to safeguard its natural character and make its beauty available to Cambrians and visitors. The land was zoned Commercial, and was being considered for . . . — — Map (db m298144) HM
20 ► California, San Luis Obispo County, Morro Bay — 821 — Morro Rock —
An important mariner's landfall for over 300 years, chronicled in the diaries of Portola, Fr. Crespi and Costanso in 1769 when they camped near this area on their trek to find Monterey. Sometimes called the "Gibraltar of the Pacific". It is the last . . . — — Map (db m24795) HM
21 ► California, San Mateo County, Menlo Park — 2 — Portola Journey's End — November 6-10, 1769 —
Near "El Palo Alto", the tall tree, the Portola Expedition of 63 men and 200 horses and mules camped. They had traveled from San Diego in search of Monterey but discovered instead the Bay of San Francisco. Finding the bay too large to go around and . . . — — Map (db m25054) HM
22 ► California, San Mateo County, Millbrae — 27 — First Camp after Discovery of San Francisco Bay —
On November 4, 1769, the expedition of Captain Gaspar de Portola, after crossing Sweeny Ridge, beheld the Bay of San Francisco for the first time. That night they camped at a small lagoon, now covered by San Andreas Lake. Finding the bay too large . . . — — Map (db m70737) HM
23 ► California, San Mateo County, Pacifica — Captain Don Gaspar de Portolà —
Born in Balaguer, Catalonia, Spain • First Governor of California • Founder of San Diego and Monterey • Discoverer of the Bay of San Francisco on November 4, 1769. Presented by the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, the Honorable . . . — — Map (db m1096) HM
24 ► California, San Mateo County, Pacifica — 24, 394 — Discovery of San Francisco Bay —
Captain Gaspar de Portola camped, October 31, 1769, by the creek at the south side of this valley, and to that camp scouting parties brought news of a body of water to the east. On November 4 the expedition advanced. Turning inland here, they . . . — — Map (db m1095) HM
25 ► California, San Mateo County, Pacifica — 391 — Sanchez Adobe —
The home of Francisco Sanchez (B. 1805, D. 1862). Alcalde of San Francisco and Commandante of Militia under the Mexican Republic. Grantee of the 8,926 – acre Rancho San Pedro, and later a respected American citizen. His house built 1842-46. . . . — — Map (db m28732) HM
26 ► California, San Mateo County, Redwood City — 92 — Gaspar de Portolá Expedition Campsite —
The Gaspar de Portolá expedition camped twice near this marker. During Spain’s initial colonial thrust into Alta California, the exploration party headed northward from San Diego searching for Monterey Bay. At first, they did not recognize the bay . . . — — Map (db m199135) HM
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27 ► California, San Mateo County, San Gregorio — 26 — Portola Camp — Reported missing
Captain Gaspar de Portola and his party of Spanish explorers, journeying overland from San Diego in a fruitless search for Monterey Bay, camped here by San Gregorio Creek for a three day rest and treatment of their sick, October 24-27, 1769. . . . — — Map (db m11032) HM
28 ► California, Santa Barbara County, Carpinteria — 535 — La Carpinteria — 1769 —
The Chumash Indian Village of "Mishopshnow," discovered by Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, August 14, 1542, was located one-fourth mile southwest of here. Fray Juan Crespi of the Gaspar de Portola expedition named it "San Roque," August 17, 1769. Portola's . . . — — Map (db m138529) HM
29 ► California, Santa Barbara County, Carpinteria — 535 — La Carpinteria — 1769 —
The Chumash Indian Village of "Mishopshnow," discovered by Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, August 14, 1542, was located one-fourth mile southwest of here. Fray Juan Crespi of the Gaspar de Portola expedition named it "San Roque," August 17, 1769. Portola's . . . — — Map (db m147308) HM
30 ► California, Santa Barbara County, Carpinteria — 5 — Portolá Sycamore — La Carpinteria — The Carpenter Shop —
Oral tradition holds that this tree survives from the naming of "La Carpinteria" - the Carpenter Shop - on August 17, 1769 when the Portolá Expedition observed the Chumash building plank canoes at this site. — — Map (db m137942) HM
31 ► California, Santa Barbara County, Goleta — Expeditions by Land — Gaviota Timeline: 3 —
Under the command of Captain Gaspar de Portola, the first Spanish land expedition made its way north along the California coast from San Diego in 1769, in search of Monterey Bay. Spain commissioned land exploration in the hope of locating suitable . . . — — Map (db m310307) HM
32 ► California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara — 306 — Burton Mound —
Thought to have once been the Indian Village of Syujtun, this site has yielded some of the most important archeological evidence found in California. In 1542 the village was recorded by Cabrillo while on his Voyage of Discovery, and again, in 1769, . . . — — Map (db m137508) HM
33 ► California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara — El Capitán Portolá —
El Capitán Portolá of the Royal Spanish Army camped here with his party on August 18, 1769 on his trip to establish California as a colony of Spain. — — Map (db m167407) HM
34 ► California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara — In Honor of Gov. Gaspar de Portola — Reported permanently removed
His officers and soldiers and Fray Juan Crespi (diarist) the first white men to march through the wilderness of California. Arrived at Santa Barbara Aug. 18-20, 1769, and camped in this vicinity. — — Map (db m178191) HM
35 ► California, Santa Clara County, Palo Alto, Downtown North — El Palo Alto —
Under this Giant Redwood, the Palo Alto, November 6 to 11, 1769, camped Portola and his band on the expedition that discovered San Francisco Bay. This was the assembling point for their reconnoitering parties. Here in 1774 Padre Palou erected a . . . — — Map (db m41255) HM
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36 ► California, Santa Clara County, Palo Alto, Fairmeadow — El Palo Nuevo —
On November 8, 1789, Don Gaspar De Portola and his expedition in search of Monterey Bay, camped beside San Francisquito Creek near a century-old redwood tree long a landmark for the Indians. The tree named El Palo Alto, became a symbol for the city . . . — — Map (db m92466) HM
37 ► California, Santa Cruz County, Davenport — Don Gaspar de Portolá — Cañada de la Salud —
Near this spot, October 20-23, 1769, Don Gaspar de Portolá and his land expedition, seeking Monterey Bay, camped for three days to rest those sick. Because of their rapid recovery, Father Crespi named the valley Cañada de la Salud. On December . . . — — Map (db m62418) HM
38 ► California, Santa Cruz County, Felton — Roaring Camp Covered Bridge —
Dedicated to the pioneer spirit of America which bridges past, present and future Designed in 1844 by Thomas Willis Pratt Constructed 1969 by Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Guage RR. First Pratt-Truss covered bridge built in . . . — — Map (db m190688) HM
39 ► California, Santa Cruz County, Watsonville — The City of Watsonville — Once a Village Named Pájaro —
When the land expedition of Alta California led by Captain Gaspar de Portola passed through this valley in 1769, they reached the Pájaro River, which they named for a large straw-stuffed bird (pájaro in Spanish) with a wing span of six feet . . . — — Map (db m54863) HM
40 ► California, Ventura County, Piru — 624 — Portolá Expedition —
On August 11, 1769, the explorers and priests accompanying Portolá found a populous village of Piru Indians near this point. Carrying their bowstrings loose, the Indians offered necklaces of stones, in exchange for which Portolá presented them with . . . — — Map (db m170384) HM
41 ► California, Ventura County, Santa Paula — 727 — Portolá Expedition —
On August 13, 1769 reaching the junction of the Arroyo Mupu with the river, the place was named the Holy Martyrs, Ipólito and Casiano. Upon founding the Mission of San Buenaventura, the priests established here an asistencia and christened it Santa . . . — — Map (db m137825) HM
42 ► California, Ventura County, Westlake Village — Triunfo Canyon — Conejo Valley —
For thousands of years, the Chumash Indians and their forebears lived in this valley. They have been described as a stone age people, hunters and gatherers, resourceful, friendly, fun-loving, astute traders, fine craftsmen, and expert rock artists. . . . — — Map (db m128414) HM
 
 
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Oct. 19, 2026