Contra Costa County, CA
Tierra Caliente to the Puerto Dulce
Anza’s exploratory group camped near Rodeo at the mouth of the San Pablo Bay. The next day at noon, they stopped on a hill just west of the Carquinez Bridge and noted Mare Island and the Puerto Dulce (Suisun Bay). They continued to the Martínez area and camped near Concord. They reached the site of Antioch, and encountering impassable Tule marshes, headed south back towards Monterey.
Driving Auto Route
Continuing on the route from Alameda County, go north on I-80 to Hercules and exit at San Pablo Ave./CA 4, going west under the freeway to San Pablo Avenue. At San Pablo Ave, turn right (north) to the town of Rodeo and visit the area of campsite #99. Continuing north on San Pablo Ave., cross under I-80 into the town of Crocket. There will be several street name changes: San Pablo Ave. to Pomona St. east that becomes Carquinez Scenic Drive. Continuing on Carquinez Scenic Dr., turn right (south) on McEwen Rd. near Port Costa to CA 4. There, turn left (east) on CA 4 to the Alhambra Way exit. Follow the signs to John Muir National Historic Site. Continue east on CA 4. There are several places to access the Delta-de Anza Regional Trail of the East Bay Regional Park District. Follow CA 4 east to the town of Oakley and then follow CA 4 south through Brentwood (Brentwood Blvd. to Byron Highway). To continue along this route, see the section of the Trail Guide called Getting Back/Mt. Diablo.
Hiking & Biking Ideas
There are several trails, including the hills of the Selby Open Space area (located across from Vista del Rio Rd.), the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, the Delta de Anza Regional Trail and the Antioch / Oakley Regional Shoreline.
Points of Interest
Adobes of Expedition Descendants (near) - Camp #100
Expedition Campsite
Located within the grounds of John Muir National Historic Site, the Vicente Martínez adobe provides interpretation of the passage of the Anza expedition and the subsequent Spanish and Mexican periods. The wife of Vicente Martínez was Guadalupe Moraga, a great-granddaughter of the San Francisco founder. While in Concord, one can visit the Salvio Pacheco Adobe (1870 Adobe St.) or the Don Fernando Pacheco Adobe (3119 Grant St. within Hillcrest Park). Juan Salvio Pacheco, a grandson of Anza recruit Juan Salvio Pacheco and his wife, María del Carmen del Valle, received a 5,000-acre Mexican land grant for service to his government. Fernando was their son.
Rodeo - Expedition Camp #99
Expedition Campsite
Anza’s men chased Tule Elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes) near Berkeley, and then continued north. On April 1st, the group camped at a small stream. Today, the campsite is at the conjunction of Parker and San Pablo Avenues and Rodeo Creek, a heavily industrialized area. A commemorative marker from the 1976 reenactment is on Parker Road between 4th and 6th Street in front of the post office in the town of Rodeo. The coast reminded Font of Sonora’s Tierra Caliente (Hot Country).
Recreation Trails along Anza's Path
Other
The East Bay Regional Park District’s (EBRPD) multi-use 20-mile Delta de Anza Regional Trail commemorates the route of Anza’s 1776 expedition and is marked as a component of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. An interpretive stop located on the eastern side of Willow Pass describes the Puerto Dulce. EBRPD manages hundreds of miles of trails including the Skyline National Recreation Trail. This trail, and the Bay Area Ridge Trail parallel Anza’s route, although at a higher elevation so that they offer panoramic views of San Francisco Bay. At both the Carquinez Strait and Antioch / Oakley Regional Shoreline parks give a closer view. At the latter, Camp #101 is commemorated with a plaque placed on the edge of the shore on the east side of the fishing pier. Near this camp on April 3rd, there was a friendly exchange with members of a Bay Miwok village.
Selby Open Space Area and Anza's Midday Stop
Other
West of the Carquinez Bridge, their hillside vantage point can be reached via San Pablo Ave. through the East Bay Regional Park District’s (EBRPD) Selby Open Space area across from Vista del Rio Road. A short, but steep, hike from the parking area takes you to the viewpoint. On April 2, 1776, Father Font notes, “…This Puerto Dulce [sweet harbor], indeed, is a gulf of fresh water, enclosed in a canyon by hills…In the bay and in front of the mouth there is an island [Mare Island]…” The location of the hill is close to 38º 03′ 14″ N, 122º 14′ 37″ W.
Resources
Delta de Anza Regional Trail and East Bay Regional Park District
P.O. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-381
925-625-5479
John Muir National Historic Site and Martínez Adobe
4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez, CA 94553-3883
510-228-8860
Moraga Historical Society Library
1500 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga, CA 94556-2099
925-377-8734
Don Salvio Pacheco Adobe
1870 Adobe St. (at Salvio St.), Concord, CA 94519
925-671-3000
