Pórtola and Anza Expeditions

The location and topography of Price Canyon made it a natural trail route for Spanish explorers making their way up the California coastline.  Riding along the dunes and beach, facing the rugged terrain ahead,  of hills, ravines and cliffs, the Pórtola expedition in 1769 and the Anza expedition in 1775 turned into Price Canyon with its fresh water streams and sheltered camping to find a route behind the coastal range of hills. 

This portion of Price Canyon also served as El Camino Real between missions San Luis Obispo de Tolosa founded 1772 and La Concepcion Purisima de Maria Santisima founded 1787. 

Today Price Historical Park is recognized by the National Park System as an interpretive site on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.

The photo above is courtesy of the National Park Service of the 1976 reenactment of the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition riding on a beach.