Title
Receive a preliminary response to Board Referral Number 2025.09 (Lopez) regarding partnering with the National Park Service to facilitate the replacement of 14 official national historic trail Auto Tour signs on roads along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2025.09 and:
b. Direct staff to proceed with completion of its response to the referral based on the proposed project description in this report; or,
c. Direct that staff:
i. Proceed with completion of its response to the referral based on modifications by the Board; or,
ii. Return to Board with a more comprehensive analysis of the referral and anticipated effort for completion.
d. Rescind the referral.
e. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
On August 12, 2025, Supervisor Lopez submitted a referral (Referral No. 2025.09) requesting staff to partner with the National Park Service (NPS) to facilitate the replacement of 14 official national historic trail Auto Tour signs on roads along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. On August 19, 2025, the Board added Supervisor Lopez’s Referral No. 2025.09 (Attachment A) to the County Board of Supervisors’ referral matrix.
Proposed Project Description:
As stated in the Board Referral, the National Park Service and the County of Monterey have the opportunity to partner to facilitate the replacement of 14 official national historic trail Auto Tour signs on roads along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail within its jurisdiction. The signage project includes 11 signs in District 3, 1 sign in District 5, and 2 signs in District 2. The National Park Service will purchase and ship 14 replacement signs for the County of Monterey to install in locations identified by National Park Service (please see Attachment B).
In 1775-76, Juan Bautista de Anza led some 240 men, women, and children on an epic journey to establish the first non-Native settlement at San Francisco Bay. Today, the 1,200-mile Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail connects history, culture, and outdoor recreation from Nogales, Arizona, to the San Francisco Bay Area. The expedition members made various stops within the County of Monterey. The expedition made an extended stay at the Presidio of Monterey, which at the time was the northern most settlement of Alta California. Today, motorists can follow Auto Tour signage to experience the sites and vistas encountered by the Anza Expedition. The Auto Tour is a highly visible component of the trail crossing populated cities and heavily used transportation corridors.
25 years after the initial installation of signs across the Auto Tour route in California, the National Park Service is partnering with land managers where existing and formerly existing Auto Tour signs are located. The years 2025 and 2026 present the Anza Trail and the County with an opportune moment to update the Auto Tour signage and provide the public with clear directions for traveling the route and accessing relevant historic, interpretive, and recreational sites.
During the 250th anniversary of the Anza expedition, sites along the Trail will be commemorating the Hispanic, Latino, and Afro-Latino heritage of Arizona and California and exploring how colonial expansion continues to impact Indigenous people’s lands and lifeways. By understanding how the expedition shaped the histories of California and Arizona, we can unpack the complexities of our past and strive for a better, more equitable future for all. A clear Auto Tour route will facilitate the public’s experience and participation in the commemoration.
Estimated Project Cost:
Costs are not fully determined at this time, but will consist primarily of staff time, and signage material costs if necessary.
Staffing Level Estimate:
Staffing level estimate is approximately one full work week, largely from the Traffic Sign Shop staff of Public Works - Road and Bridge Maintenance in Public Works, Facilities and Park’s Department (PWFP).
Departmental Challenges:
No significant challenges have been identified at this time.
Proposed Response Date:
Staff proposes to return to the Board prior to December 31, 2025.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This Board Referral supports the signage efforts by the NPS to replace the official national historic trail Auto Tour signs on roads along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail within its jurisdiction. This will allow motorists to follow Auto Tour signage to experience the sites and vistas encountered by the de Anza Expedition:
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
X Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Attachments:
Attachment A - Board Referral #2025.09
Attachment B - Sign Management Plan from NPS
Attachment C - Draft Letter of Intent and Attachments from NPS