Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is a national historic trail run by the National Park Service in Arizona and California.

In the park service’s words

The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail covers over 1200 miles through the homelands of 70+ Tribal communities. It follows the historic route of the 1775-76 Spanish colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco, CA. Whether urban or rural, the trail offers adventure, diverse cultural perspectives, and an opportunity to experience history.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Hike the Anza Trail through Moreno Valley (2 to 4 Hours): Enjoy an easy 8-mile out-and-back urban trail through Moreno Valley. This multi-use paved path starts at a city park and ends at a California state recreation area.
• Hike, cycle, or ride through Fort Ord National Monument (30 to 150 Minutes): Hike or ride a strenuous 4.5-mile segment that crosses the majestic grasslands of Fort Ord National Monument. The Monument segment is anchored by the Creekside Terrace Trailhead and the Badger Hills Trailhead where restrooms, maps, and interpretive displays are provided. The Creekside Terrace Trailhead has potable wate
• Hike the Arrowhead Loop Trail (2 to 5 Hours): Explore part of the Anza Recreational Retracement Trail by hiking this challenging 4-mile one-way loop through Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve in Santa Clara, CA.
• Hike the Delta de Anza/Mokelumne Loop (2 to 4 Hours): Enjoy a moderate 5.62-mile loop by taking the Mokelumne Coast-to-Crest Trail to the Delta de Anza Trail. This paved loop passes through or near several schools and community parks and provides access to Contra Loma Regional Park and Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. The trail has several steep inclines and is not
• Hike the Santa Cruz River (30 Minutes): The Santa Cruz River forms a ribbon of life in the Pimería Alta. Whether walking to its edge or along its length, visitors will encounter the fundamental building blocks of nature and human civilization.
• Hike the Anza Trail from Tumacácori to Tubac, AZ (2 to 6 Hours): Hike through shady cottonwood galleries and mesquite bosques along this six-mile stretch of the Anza Trail between Tumacácori National Historic Park and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.
• Experience the Anza Trail by Train: Experience the Anza Trail with NPS volunteer historians and interpreters on board Amtrak's Coast Starlight between Santa Barbara and San Jose.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Mon 9:30AM - 5:00PM; Tue 9:30AM - 5:00PM; Wed 9:30AM - 5:00PM; Thu 9:30AM - 5:00PM; Fri 9:30AM - 5:00PM; Sat Closed; Sun Closed. Hours listed are for the Richmond, California administrative office of the Anza Trail (admin office not currently open to public). The 1,200-mile Anza Trail connects historic, cultural, and recreation sites from Nogales, AZ, to the San Francisco Bay Area that reveal the legacy of our Spanish colonial heritage. To learn more, visit http://www.nps.gov/juba. Each site along the Anza Trail is managed independently. Contact individual sites for hours, directions, and other details.

Getting there

Details listed are for the Richmond, California administrative office of the Anza Trail (administrative office is not currently open to the public). The 1,210-mile Anza Trail connects historic, cultural, and recreation sites from Nogales, AZ, to the San Francisco Bay Area that reveal the legacy of our Spanish colonial heritage. Each site along the Anza Trail is managed independently. Contact individual sites for hours, directions, and other details.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Santa Monica Mountains Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Closed for federal holidays
• William Penn Mott, Jr. Presidio Visitor Center: Daily, 10:00AM - 5:00PM. The visitor center is open daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years days.
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center
• Saguaro National Park West - The Red Hills Visitor Center
• Saguaro National Park East - Rincon Mountain District Visitor Center
• Gila Bend Visitor Center
• Griffith Park Visitor Center
• Big Break Visitor Center at the Delta

Weather

The 1,200-mile Anza Trail connects historic, cultural, and recreation sites from Nogales, AZ, to the San Francisco Bay Area. To learn more, visit http://www.nps.gov/juba. Each site along the Anza Trail is managed independently. Contact individual sites for hours, directions, and other details.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Joshua Tree, about 76 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.