California Road Trip - Summer 2025
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Rejecting Portolá is denying California historyBy Miguel Pérez
Monterey, Ca. – He was the Spanish military officer who led the first overland expedition from Baja to Alta California, bringing with him the soldiers and Franciscan friars who established the first Spanish forts and missions here. He was Captain Gaspar de Portolá, the first governor of Las Californias and founder both San Diego and Monterey. He discovered San Francisco Bay! Yet, as you travel through California, you find that some of the monuments recognizing his great achievements have been defaced or removed. Read more: Rejecting Portolá is denying California history |
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When Argentina attacked Spanish California...By Miguel Pérez
Among the many monuments in Monterey, perhaps the most unforeseen, at least for me, was the plaque and flag recognizing the six days when the bay was invaded and the town was ransacked by anti-Spanish rebels – who came all the way from Argentina! They were led by Hippolyte (Hipólito) de Bouchard, a French-born privateer who had served in Napoleon's Navy in the war against England, joined the revolution against Spain in South America and fought for the independence of Argentina, Peru and Chile. Read more: When Argentina attacked Spanish California... |
EN ESPAñOL: Cuando Argentina atacó la California española...
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Monterey knows how to embrace
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When Mission Santa Cruz was closed,
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Santa Clara: The first mission honoring a womanBy Miguel Pérez
She is the first California Franciscan mission named after a woman, and the only one residing on a university campus, which makes the manicured landscape of Mission Santa Clara de Asís logically beautiful. But this was not always the landscape for this mission. Since it was established by Father Junípero Serra on January 12, 1777, floods, earthquakes and fires have forced this Native American neophyte community to relocate four times – occupying five different locations in its first 45 years! Read more: Santa Clara: The first mission honoring a woman |
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Do you know the way to San José? I mean, Fremont!By Miguel Pérez
Frequently, when you arrive at a California Franciscan mission, you also arrive at a town by the same name. That's because the towns often got their names from the missions. San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and many others follow that pattern. But sometimes there are exceptions to that rule, and the clearest exception is Mission San José, which is not even in the City of San Jose. Read more: Do you know the way to San José? I mean, Fremont! |
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Váyase al Carajo' And I'm not saying a dirty wordBy Miguel Pérez
In English, we call it “the crow’s nest,” although it’s not really for birds. It’s meant for sailors to use as a lookout over the horizon in search for land or other ships. But its original name in Spanish, “el carajo,” has taken many other meanings. Read more: Váyase al Carajo' And I'm not saying a dirty word |
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By Miguel Pérez
As you walk through the Sonoma State Historic Park, an area of just a few blocks in downtown Sonoma, California, you feel like you are strolling in a history book. With every step you take, you can’t help being amazed at how much California history has taken place in this small area. And most of it happened just about two centuries ago! Read more: You think you are walking in a park, but you are strolling in a history book |
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The 21st and last California 'Spanish Mission'
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EN ESPAñOL: La 21.a y última 'misión española' de California ´fue en realidad la primera misión mexicana!
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Por Miguel Pérez
Se habla mucho de las enfermedades europeas que devastaron a los nativos americanos. La mayoría de nosotros sabemos que no fue un genocidio intencional, como algunos quieren hacernos creer. Sabemos que los nativos no tenían resistencia heredada a las enfermedades europeas, como el sarampión y la viruela, y que miles murieron. ´Fue una terrible tragedia! Read more: Mission San Rafael treated sick and dying natives |
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San Francisco Civic Center Monuments
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Almost heaven:
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Juan Bautista de Anza still rides in San FranciscoBy Miguel Pérez
August 8, 2025 – He is not at the Spanish Presidio he established back in 1776, but Captain Juan Bautista de Anza still rides in San Francisco. And he does it with a lot of poise and grace. His very impressive equestrian statue, on the north shore of Lake Merced . . . read more: Juan Bautista de Anza still rides in San Francisco |
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San Francisco's Presidio:
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A park with a view,
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Home and ready to write!Hi folks!
After five weeks visiting Hispanic heritage sites in California, from June 24 to July 29, I’m now back home in New Jersey! Frankly, there was so much ground to cover, and I was so busy planning the day-to-day details of my road trip, that it became impossible to share more of my photos and videos on social media during my travels. However, now that I’m home, I will retrace my trip through my notes and photos and write new photo-essays that I will share with you here. I visited about 50 historic sites, starting in San Francisco and north to Sonora and then all the way south to San Diego’s border fence with Tijuana, Mexico.
Reaching some of these places became adventures — challenging and very fulfilling accomplishments for me! In 36 days, I stayed in 24 roadside motels and took 7,718 photos and 17 videos, enough to write a guide to historic Hispanic California, especially since this was my second extensive California research road trip. Will you help me share my short history lessons? |
At San Francisco Airport, waiting for my ride home
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The Powerful Murals
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El Mission District de San FranciscoThis is San Francisco’s “Mission District,” the city’s Hispanic barrio. It’s one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods, getting its name from Mission San Francisco de Asis, also known as Mission Dolores, established by españoles in 1776. The main commercial thoroughfare is Mission Street and here you find the wide variety of bodegas, fruterías, teatros, iglesias, and restaurantes that you find in other American barrios. But the there is one huge exception: The callejones! The Mission District has mural alleys — outdoor art galleries that speak for the community in a very colorful and powerful way. I’ll show you the callejones in my next posting. But to see my other photos from the Mission District, check out this slideshow: El Mission District de San Francisco
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EN ESPAñOL: El Mission District de San Francisco
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The namesake, oldest building and heart
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EN ESPAñOL: El edificio más antiguo y emblemático, y el corazón del Distrito Misión en San Francisco
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The view and disappointment
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When you see the Gold Gate Bridge,
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When you see a church bell hanging
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EN ESPAñOL: Cuando ves una campana de iglesia colgada de un báculo pastoral, estás en El Camino Real
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My Great Hispanic American History Tour
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