Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail

The national trail commemorates the route followed by Anza in 1775-76 when he led a contingent of 30 soldiers and their families to found a presidio and mission on the San Francisco Bay. Along the trail route, the visitor can experience the varied landscapes similar to those the expedition saw; learn the stories of the expedition, its members, and descendants; better understand the American Indian role in the expedition and the diversity of their cultures; and appreciate the extent of the effects of Spanish colonial settlement of Arizona and California. The trail was designated by the U.S. Congress in 1990 and named a National Millennium Trail in 1999. Now officially recognized only in the United States, the route began as far south as Culiac(c3)(a1)n, Mexico, where Anza began his recruitment. The national trail starts in Nogales, Arizona, and travels to San Francisco, California, and east around the San Francisco Bay.

The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is administered by the National Park Service in partnership with other federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and private landowners. Non-federally owned trail sites, segments, and interpretive facilities are added to the national historic trail through certification agreements between the owner or mangers and the National Park Service.

Pacific West Regional Office
1111 Jackson #700
Oakland, CA 94607
510-817-1438 - Headquarters
510-817-1323 - en espa(c3)(b1)ol

By Car
At this time, the auto tour route is not marked. You can follow the auto tour route by using the highway numbers on the auto tour route map, or you can contact the administering office for information.

General guidebooks for national trails:
Miller, Arthur P. and Marjorie. Trails Across America. Fulcrum Publishing, Golden, Colorado. 1996.
Cordes, Kathleen Ann. America's National Historic Trails. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. 1999

Getting Around
Trail sites and segments are most easily accessible by car, bicycle, or on foot. Commercial busses could be used to follow most of the auto tour route and would provide stops near many of the trail sites in urban areas. The trail route may be followed rather closely on Amtrak(e2)(80)(997320)Coast Starlight and Sunset Limited lines from Los Angeles, California to Oakland, California.

Summers along the trail in Arizona and the deserts of California are hot and dry. Temperatures are extremely high, largely precluding midday active recreation. Winters are mild and ideal for all types of outdoor recreation. Rainfall is low, generally occurring in December, January, and February.

In the coastal California and San Francisco Bay Area portions of the route, winters are mostly frost-free and summers mild. Outdoor recreation is a year-round possibility. The major part of these areas(e2)(80)(992072)ainfall comes in the winter and early spring. The portion of the route between Gaviota on the Santa Barbara Channel and Monterey has hot dry summers and cool winters. Year-round outdoor recreation is possible, but precautions must be taken to protect from sun exposure in the summer.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Auto Touring
• Biking
• Camping
• Educational Programs
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Wilderness Area
• Bird Watching
• Nature Walks

Recommended Activities
The auto route links over 120 sites related to Spanish colonial history in California and Arizona. Portions of the historic trail are available locally as hiking, horseback riding, or biking trails.