Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

Also on March 29th, at the same location of the John Muir National Historic Site, I visited the Martinez Adobe home, located at the western edge of the property over my the orchards which features bilingual exhibits for the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.

There are brochures and publication on site to know the historic story of Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza  and his excursion of leading of 30 families - 240 men, women and children from Mexico through Arizona and the coast of California to San Francisco in 1775.  There are markers all along California highways documenting the excursion as we traveled up the state to San Francisco.

Web Photo

For more info on this site, visit the website by the National Park Service.  I also toured this home and here are some photos.  The reading about Juan Bautista de Anza is remarkable especially when he followed his father's desire to lead an expedition and he was able to accomplish it!  The home has a few artifacts and information written in English and Spanish but the brochure really told the story the best.  It only takes about 10 minutes to do this visit center at the Martinez adobe but still very worthwhile.  There is also picnic tables between John Muir home and the adobe so a picnic lunch would be something to consider with your family as you enjoy both locations.

Today, descendants of those 30 families and other community members have reenactments of this historic occasion.  I really enjoyed reading the names of the original travelers in the company and seeing the descendants chart.  It was touching to know how one expedition changed the lives of many people today.

If you get a chance to go to this exhibit, I would very much encourage it.  Since it's on the land of John Muir, you will also notice markers in the grass like this one.

Today while visiting both these locations, the main visitor's center was closed due to new carpet installation.  I also needed to visit the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial but since it's on a US military installation, it's not open to the public until summer months.  The only way to stamp my passport book was to view the movie and we'll I couldn't get into the visitor's center.  So, I had to come back tomorrow after San Francisco.  The Rangers were pleasant even though it was big pain in my side.