In 1776, one week before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Spanish military commander Juan Bautista de Anza led California's first Spanish families on an overland expedition from present-day Mexico and arrived at the Golden Gate to establish San Francisco.

Today, signs mark the 1,200 mile Juan Bautista de Anza Trail. This historic route commemorates the journey of these families from Arizona to California. Some members include familiar names such as Peralta and Berryessa. Soon you will be able to explore this early chapter of San Francisco's history and birthplace -- el presidio de San Francisco. To celebrate this occasion, the city of San Francisco celebrates with fun family friendly events aimed at teaching families about our past and linking history, culture, and environment to the San Francisco of today. 

Friday June 23

Pasados del Presidio - Afternoon Fun for Kids, 12-3pm, Watch history come to life! Kids can enjoy hands-on activities, storytelling, living history, a visit with Juanito the Donkey, archaeology, pottery making, and more. Afternoon music and dance by Ballet Folklórico Mexicano. Presidio Officers' Club, San Francisco.

Saturday June 24

Pasados del Presidio - San Francisco's Birthday, 10:30am-12pm, Descendants of the original founding families of the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition (1775-1776) return to the Presidio to recognize the journey of their ancestors and the founding of El Presidio de San Francisco, Pershing Square, San Francisco.

Creative Family Fun - A-maize-ing Corn Husk Dolls, 11am-4pm, Travel back in time and learn how to make a corn husk doll, just as the Spanish colonist children at El Presidio did, Presidio, San Francisco.

Sunday June 25

Creative Family Fun - A-maize-ing Corn Husk Dolls, 11am-4pm, Travel back in time and learn how to make a corn husk doll, just as the Spanish colonist children at El Presidio did, Presidio, San Francisco.