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This cross is a replica of a cross erected on December 10, 1769 by members of the Portola expedition - the first Spanish expedition to explore California by land.
Gaspar de Portola led a group of 64 explorers, amongst them 27 soldiers, 15 Indians from Baja California and two Catholic monks, fathers Crespi and Gomez. Main goal of the expedition was to find a way to Monterey Bay, discovered by sea in 1602 by Sebastian Vizcaino.
The party traveled as far as the San Francisco bay but failed to recognize Monterey and - even more important - failed to connect with their supply ship "San Jose" which, evidently, was lost at sea.
Before they decided to return to San Diego, the famished members of the expedition erected two crosses to signal their missing supply vessel; one on a pool near Monterey Bay, the other one at this location. |
After returning to San Diego, Portola wrote the Queen of Spain that "...if Russia wants to have California, Spain should let her have it..." Nevertheless, only a year later, Portola led a second expedition, this time recognized Monterey Bay, connected with the supply ships under Father Junipero Serra's command and founded Monterey as the first capital of California.
For more on the failed 1769 expedition, see the site of the Monterey County Historical Society, for a biograpgy of Gaspar de Portola, see San Diego History.
The Cross is located near Carmel River State Beach. Park at N 36° 32.315' W 121° 55.671' and proceed to the trail head at N 36° 32.100' W 121° 55.569', which is also the location of the commemorative rock.