Driving through Brea Canyon, I noticed a cryptic concrete white obelisk off the side of the road. Pulling off onto a sandy shoulder, I stepped out of my car to get a closer look. A small brown plaque on the obelisk read, “Don Gaspar de Portola with 60 men camped here July 31, 1769 on the first exploring march from San Diego to Monterey.” I’ve driven down Brea Canyon Road a couple of times over the past couple of years, especially when I was learning to drive with my grandpa, but I never noticed this historical marker until now.

Back in fourth grade at Golden Hill Elementary, I remember learning that Portola was an explorer who led an expedition of Alta California as part of Spanish efforts to establish missions in the preGolden State. However, after seeing the historical marker in Brea Canyon, I was inspired to do more research into California history.

Credits:

Historical Images Courtesy of: Wikipedia, Legends of America, Irvine Standard, Homestead Museum and Orange County Archives

Filmed and Photographed by Emerson Little

Edited by Emerson Little

Music: "Madalena" by Viva Tribe
Available on the album: Cuban Greats