Description

Author Vladamir Guerrero’s The Anza Trail and Settling of California retraces the route traveled by the Anza colonizing expedition during the years 1775–1776.   This book chronicles the exploration of an overland route from Mexico to Alta California and invites travelers to learn about the interweaving of the three elements of the Spanish plan for the colonization of its northern frontier: presidios (military forts), missions (religious centers), and pueblos (civilian towns).

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park takes its name from the 18th century explorer, Juan Bautista de Anza.  While traveling from Tubac, Mexico to San Francisco Bay, the overland expedition route went directly through what is now Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.  Catarina Spring located in Coyote Canyon was named by Captain Bautista de Anza when his overland exploration party camped there on March 14, 1774.  A marker still stands there today commemorating Bautista de Anza.

Features:

• Comprehensive Coverage:  This edition includes 500 miles of uncharted deserts, snow-capped sierra, and Indian land that brought settlers along the route to settle in San Francisco Bay.
• Diaries and Journals:  With original translations, fresh commentary this book synthesizes first hand documents and diaries from the expeditions.
• Maps:  Fifteen new trail maps.
• Softcover; 221 pages. Heyday Books, First Edition.

The Anza Trail and Settling of California is the ultimate guide to understanding the role Anza-Borrego Desert State Park played in the exploration and settling of Alta California.