Personal Observations
First we tried to find the Presidio in San Diego but could only find Presidio Hill with a few markers and a museum to Father Serra. Next we tried to find the Presidio in Monterey but only found a wooden building of artifacts from the American period. We finally found something like what we were looking for in the heart of Santa Barbara. We will attempt to find and explore the other three soon.
History
When Spain began settlement of California, there were three organizations in their plan, the missions, the presidios, and the pueblos. The presidios were the military arm of the settlement plan. The first presidio established was in San Diego. Two more presidios were established in Monterey and San Francisco. The fourth presidio was founded in Santa Barbara on April 21, 1782. The San Diego Presidio was responsible for security for the missions from San Diego to San Gabriel. Santa Barbara Presidio provided security to the missions along the Central Coast including San Fernando and the Pueblo of Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. San Diego 1769; Monterey 1770; San Francisco 1776; Santas Barbara 1782; near Tuscon.
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