Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

In 1775, Juan Bautista de Anza launched with some 240 men, women, and children on an epic journey to establish the first nonnative settlement at San Francisco Bay. Today, the 1,200-mile trail, which was travelled by Indigenous peoples long before Anza's trek, connects history, culture, and outdoor recreation from Nogales, Arizona, to Northern California.

San Juan Bautista
California, AZ 95045
United States

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510-232-5050 ext 6702

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Discover Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

Follow in the footsteps of history along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, a 1,200-mile route that retraces the 1775–76 expedition that brought settlers from Mexico to what is now San Francisco. This journey, led by Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza, helped establish a permanent European presence in California. Stretching through Arizona and California, the trail passes through deserts, mountains, and coastal landscapes, connecting historic sites, missions, and vibrant cultural landmarks. Whether hiking, biking, or driving sections of the trail, visitors can experience the landscapes and history of early Spanish exploration in the American West.

Explore Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is a 1,200-mile-long trail that tells the complex history of migration and colonization in the American Southwest. Ranging from Nogales, Sonora, to San Francisco, California, the trail traces part of the route followed by Anza between 1775 and 1776. Anza forged crucial alliances with several American Indian tribes, nations, and clans—the O’odham and the Chumash provided vital food, and a Quechan clan helped the families across the river. The Anza expedition traveled through the lands of the O’odham, Quechan, Ohlone, Tongva, and more. The many sites of historical significance along the trail include Saguaro National Park and the Mission San Xavier del Bac. Descendants of the Anza Expedition gather in San Francisco every year to honor their ancestors at an annual celebration of heritage, culture, and history.

8 hours at Tumacácori National Historical Park

Appreciate and experience the natural and cultural complexity of this centuries-old landscape at Tumacácori National Historical Park.

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Explore historic sites

Key locations along the trail include Tumacácori National Historical Park in Arizona and the Presidio of San Francisco.

Hike scenic sections

Many parks and preserves offer walking and biking trails along the historic route, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Learn about Indigenous perspectives

The expedition traveled through lands inhabited by Native American tribes, whose histories and cultures remain vital to the region.

Visit a trail museum or exhibit

Interpretive centers in Arizona and California provide deeper insights into the expedition and its impact on history.

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Upcoming events

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Anza Exhibit at the Monterey History & Art Association Museum at Stanton Center

Mar 2 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

The exhibit commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Anza expedition by exploring both the expedition itself and the environment the settlers found when they arrived in Monterey. Panels discuss the founding of Monterey, early buildings and...

The Anza Expedition: A 250th Commemoration Exhibit

Mar 3 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Almost 250 years ago, as the Declaration of Independence was signed on the East Coast, the Anza expedition arrived at its destination on the West Coast. Both of these events would dramatically shape the cultural and political landscapes of the United...

From Expedition to Home: The Anza Legacy in California & Cambria

Mar 3 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Join us for an evening of living history. The featured speaker is Bobby Soto, an 8th-generation native Californian whose family history is closely tied to the Anza Expedition. His five-times great-grandfather, Ignacio de Soto, along with his wife...

Birding Along the Anza National Historic Trail

Mar 4 7:30 am – 9:30 am

Join Roger Zachary, local Audubon field trip leader, as we walk along the de Anza Trail section of the Atascadero Mutual Water Company’s property. We will be “birding” in mixed oak woodland and riparian woodland along the Salinas River. We should be...