Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

PLACES THAT KEEP THE PAST CLOSE

A story worth following.

Trace the 1775–76 colonizing expedition from the Arizona borderlands toward San Francisco Bay. Missions, museums and selected recreational trail sections help interpret its human stories and the Indigenous homelands it crossed.

trails & rails — Anza Trail volunteers ride the Amtrak Coast Starlight to share about California's landscape and history.
NPS Photo · Public domain, NPS

Kids stand holding their Anza Trail Junior Ranger badges
NPS photo · Public domain, NPS

BUILD YOUR OWN CHAPTER

Places to begin

Tumacácori
Tubac
Presidio of San Francisco

Suggested starting points, not a turn-by-turn route. Choose a manageable local section; stops may be far apart.

Make the visit work for you

Use the official auto-tour and recreation maps; the historic route, driving route and walking segments differ.

Give the story time

Allow time for interpretation, a short walk and conversations. One well-chosen historic place can be more rewarding than a rushed list of stops.

Bring your group comfortably

Confirm parking, restrooms, walking surfaces and group reservations with each site. A historic trail designation does not guarantee coach access.

Official visitor information ↗

U.S. visits only. Historic routes may cross private property or have disconnected public sections. Official links provide current maps, access and operating information. Photographs may show earlier conditions.