A Brief History of Anza Valley, California.

Nestled in the mountains of Southern California off State Highway 371, Anza Valley sits between Los Angeles, Palm Desert and San Diego. Settled long ago by Native American tribes such as the Cahuillas, Anza Valley was discovered in 1774 by Juan Bautista de Anza, who was looking for an overland route from Sonora to Alta California. Originally named Cahuilla Valley, the valley was renamed to Anza Valley in 1926 in honor of Juan Bautista de Anza -- though the valley is often dubbed "The Hill" by its' residents and neighbors. Early settlers include the Hamilton and Thomas families, who names are still common today.

Juan Bautista de Anza

Mining, ranching and honey production were common throughout the valley, and in 1893, Anza was officially recognized as part of Riverside County.

Remaining relatively isolated until the 1970's, Anza continues to defy the urbanization that is typical of most Southern California small towns. Visitors today will discover a tight-knit community of ranches, farms, businesses and churches. The locals are friendly, but wary of the over-development that plagues other communities throughout Southern California.

Little Red School House

Juan Bautista de Anza Trail Marker in Anza, CA