El Camino Real

The term "Camino Real" originates from Spanish and translates to "royal road," signifying a main highway. In Spain, it referred to important routes connecting cities. In California, during the Spanish colonial period (1769-1821), "El Camino Real" was a significant highway that stretched approximately 600 miles from San Diego to Sonoma.1

This historic route connected the 21 Spanish missions and 4 presidios (forts) established during that era. Today, the modern Pacific Highway largely follows the path of the original El Camino Real between San Diego and San Francisco. The concept of a "camino real" also extends to main highways that existed during Spanish rule in other parts of the Southwest, Mexico, and Central America.12