Portolá Expedition Camp, Año Nuevo!

What the Plaque/Guide Says:

The official caption hasn’t been written yet!

More about California Historical Landmark #1058:

This site takes its name from a rocky, elephant-seal covered point, which the voyage of Don Sebastian Vizcaíno passed on January 3, 1603. On the ship, Father Antonio de la Ascension named it New Year’s Point! It was already the home of the Ohlone, and in particular, the Quiroste, whose village was practically on top of a money mint: Monterey chert for toolmaking and olivella shells as currency! When Gaspar de Portolá’s expedition stumbled into the area on November 19, 1769, the Quiroste nursed the sick explorers back to health! This village was abandoned on their return, and the diaries of Miguel Costansó and Father Juan Crespi are the only written records of this village that have survived!

After the rise and fall of Mission Santa Cruz, Año Nuevo Point became part of Rancho Punta del Año Nuevo, a 17,753-acre gift from Governor Juan Alvarado to his uncle, Don José Simeon de Nepomuceno Castro! He ranched here from 1842 until 1851 when he sold to Isaac Graham, who then sold to Isaac, George, and Edgar Steele, founders of the Steele Brothers Dairy Ranches!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Volunteer with the Volunteers in Parks program!
Donate to the San Mateo County Historical Association!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!