Anza250
OCTOBER 25, 2025
SAVE THE DATE:
On October 23, 1775, Juan Bautista de Anza and over 200 settlers departed the Tubac Presidio to embark on an expedition covering nearly 1,000 miles, through the homelands of over 70 tribal communities, and lasting 5 months. This expedition set in motion a chain of events that shaped Arizona, California, and the Western United States as we know it today.
250 years later, join us as we recognize, commemorate, and celebrate the rich and diverse history that links us all together.
Taste history and learn about chocolate's roots in Mesoamerica!
Get hands on to create fresh, delicious flour tortillas.
Get swept away by history with the reenactment riders!
Let music fill you as you experience a Folklorico performance.
Learn about Arizona's oldest printing press and create your own printed souvenir!
Enjoy fun for the whole family with face painting, food trucks, and MORE!
Featuring honored community partners:
Check back soon for an updated schedule of events!
For now, learn more about why we care about the Anza Expedition.
Who was Juan Bautista de Anza?
Juan Bautista de Anza was the Captain of the Tubac Presidio from 1760 to 1777.
Who went on the expedition?
The expedition included over 200 travelers who had been recruited from throughout Mexico to make a new life in Alta California. These travelers included settlers, soldiers, vaqueros, muleteers, servants, and Native American guides. You can learn more about the people on the Anza Expedition from the National Park Service.
Where did the Anza Expedition go?
The Anza Expedition traveled over land to what is now California and established the Presidio of San Francisco.
Did Anza create the trail himself?
No, Anza followed trade routes and other trails that had been established and used by Indigenous peoples long before Spanish colonization.
Why did they go on the expedition?
The Spanish desired to increase their colonization of North America, especially as Russians began to explore further down the coast of the Pacific Northwest.
Was the Anza Expedition a good thing?
Yes and no. Spanish colonists benefited from the opportunity to build a new life in San Francisco, and the new colony gave Spain more power. However, this came at the expense of Indigenous peoples, their cultures, and their sovereignty over their land. Many of the negative impacts of colonization by Spain and other countries are still being experienced today.
