San Luis Obispo County, California



 
Historic and Interpretive Sites
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.