| Guadalupe–Nipomo
Dunes Preserve: The dunes and Oso
Flaco Lake, which is contained within the preserve, are referenced in the
expedition diaries. This area is comprised of pristine coastal dunes and
wetlands and contains at least 18 species of rare, endangered, or sparsely
distributed plants. More than 200 species of birds live in or migrate through
the preserve. Access is provided off State Highway 1 either west or north
of the town of Guadalupe.
Pismo Beach State
Park: This park provides facilities within
the historic corridor.
Pismo Dunes State
Vehicular Recreation Area: North of the
Guadalupe–Nipomo Dune Preserve, but part of the same sand dune complex,
this 2,500 acre park provides swimming, surfing, surf fishing, camping,
and hiking as well as an opportunity for offroad vehicle use. The main
entrance is located on Pier Avenue off State Highway 1 in Oceano.
Expedition Camp
#81, Site of Chumash village of El Buchón:
Located near Pismo Beach in Price Canyon, this Chumash village was the
Anza party campsite on March 1, 1776. When Portolá arrived in 1769,
Buchón, the Wot or Chieftain, lived here; when Anza arrived, one
of Buchón’s principal wives still lived here. The Shell Oil Company
plans 65 new wells in the area, but has agreed with the county to provide
an easement for the Anza Trail when oil extraction is completed.
Mission San Luis
Obispo de Tolosa. Founded in 1772, the
original mission was visited by the Anza expedition on March 2 and 3, 1776.
While the expedition stayed, an Indian boy was christened for whom Anza
was the godfather. As part of the Diocese of Monterey, the mission now
serves as a parish church. Tuquski Wa Suwa (Bear and Child) statue and
fountain, located in Mission Plaza in front of the mission, reflect the
special Chumash relationship with bears. The mission and Old Mission Museum
are located at 751 Palm Street.
Dallidet Adobe.
This restored 1853 residence with gardens is situated on the banks of San
Luis Creek which the expedition followed out of the city. It is located
at 1185 Pacific Street.
Cuesta Canyon
County Park. This five acre park in San
Luis Obispo spans San Luis Creek, the route of the expedition.
Stagecoach Road.
This rural, single lane road climbs Cuesta Grade just north of the city
limits of San Luis Obispo and is near the probable route of the Anza expedition
along San Luis Creek. It is currently the bicycle route over the grade
as bicycles are not permitted on Highway 101.
Granary Trees.
Oaks in which woodpeckers have stored their acorns, a significant natural
feature of the Santa Margarita/ Atascadero/ Paso Robles area, were noted
by Font. "Along here there are some birds which they call carpenters, which
make round holes in the trunks of the oaks. In each hole they insert an
acorn so neatly that it can be taken out only with difficulty, and in this
way they make their harvest and store, some of the oaks being all dotted
with acorns in their trunks." One of the largest of these trees can be
seen near the Century Cinema at 6905 El Camino Real in Atascadero.
Santa Margarita
Asistencia: Perhaps this site is the location
of the small Indian village near the Santa Margarita River noted by Font
(p. 274). The site, which is on the Santa Margarita Ranch, contains the
ruins of a building which served as an outpost for Mission San Luis Obispo.
Camp #83, Assumpción:
The campsite is located on the west bank of the Salinas River near Ferrocarrill
Road in Atascadero. It is now called Assuncion.
Wranglerette Arena:
This equestrian arena is located on the path of the expedition along the
Salinas River in Atascadero and has potential to be a staging area. The
site has a plaque from the 1975–76 reenactment. |