San Pasqual Battlefield
State Historic Park
“Living history entertainment” can be found at San Pasqual Battlefield Historic Park. During your historical sightseeing trip you will enjoy military talks, park tours, museum and visitor center, and living history demonstrations. It is an exciting and amazing day trip for kids and adults of all ages!!
Do you remember reading school history books about the Mexican - American War? You might have seen a few movies with reference to the skirmishes, battles, and the effect on early California settlers.
What would you say if you could see all of this “up close and personal?”
Can you imagine the chance to watch a real cannon get fired? What about seeing ammunition, artillery, clothes, and equipment the soldiers used?
Imagine the chance to see a battlefield re-enactment …. The kind you hear about performed on the East Coast for the Civil War. Except this battlefield re-enactment is in Southern California!! And it is happening right in front of you eyes!! What a treat!
San Pasqual Battle Day
The San Pasqual Battle Day is an annual event held the first weekend Sunday in December. Typically the first Sunday that is closest to December 6th. This re-enactment honors the men who took part in the bloodiest battle in the Mexican - American War.
The battle re-enactment is performed in the valley below the museum. The actual site for the “San Pasqual Battlefield” is unknown, the re-enactment takes place in a likely spot.
If you bring a folding chair and sit in the parking lot, you will have an excellent view! It is also recommended that you bring a pair of binoculars, if you have them, but are not necessary for viewing.
The 2008 San Pasqual Battle Day will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2008 with activities all day from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm.
Hundreds of volunteers try to arrange for TWO battle re-enactments but this is not always possible. You can guarantee there will be at least ONE! . The only exception is for inclement weather. Arrive early to ensure parking, a great seat with a view and a chance to enjoy all the activities.
Battle Day Events
- Battle re-enactment in open field below museum
- Period music
- Entertainment
- Military encampment
- Mountain-men encampment
- Period craft demonstrations like candle making
- Lots of food
- Children Activities
Living History Days
Living history days at San Pasqual Battlefield are back! The recent fires of Southern California closed down the cannon reenactment, but now they can be enjoyed again! This is something you don’t want to miss!!
Park volunteers offer living history field presentations and military talks in the amphitheatre steps from the museum.
Living history days are offered the first Sunday of each month from January to November. December is excluded because of the annual battlefield reenactment.
Part of the excitement of Living History Days is the opportunity to watch a cannon fire! This is one of the most exciting memories you and your kids will remember forever! Watch as the cannon is loaded, lit and fired… all with military procedure and precision.
A demonstration is performed during the presentation in the amphitheatre and the cannon is loaded. 
Watch and listen as the cannon is fired. It is a lot louder than you think!! It is amazing to see it live and up close.
San Pasqual Battlefield Museum
The San Pasqual museum is staffed by volunteers who dress in “period clothing” and are knowledgeable about the “San Pasqual Battle”. You will find friendly volunteers and docents to assist you in learning more about the bloodiest battle in California history.
Upon entering the museum you will see a few glass cases with historical artifacts. There is a wall presentation of the Battle with interesting facts and pictures for you to view. There is a short video to watch and a bookstore filled with books specializing in California history.
On the way to the museum you will note Indian Cupules. They are created out of large rock formations and are believed to be part of Indian rituals and ceremonies.
Small, almost perfect holes are formed in the rock. Many are clustered together while others appear as smooth indentations. These rock markings represent thousands of years of Indian culture.
If you didn’t know the story behind the cupules, you would probably walk by and think “I wonder how those holes got in there?”
One of the best features of your day trip to San Pasqual Battlefield isn’t JUST the cannon firing, or the volunteers in period clothing… it’s the fact that this day trip adventure is FREE!!!
Museum entrance is FREE, and parking is FREE.
San Pasqual Battlefield Museum and Park Hours
- Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location
- 15808 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92025
- 8 miles east of Escondido on Highway 78
- 31 miles west of Julian
- 1.5 miles east of San Diego Wild Animal Park
Please consider donating to the San Pasqual Battlefield Volunteer Association (SPBVA). This non-profit organization provides living history reenactments, an annual battlefield reenactment, and docent tours for the public. You can make a small donation at the museum or consider joining the association. Thank you in advance for your support!
You may want to consider a day trip to San Pasqual Battlefield with a trip down the road to Julian. Don’t forget that Palomar Observatory is super close too!
You can get a great idea of the distance between San Pasqual Battlefield and each point by checking out this map.
History of the San Pasqual Battle
This battle is known as the bloodiest battle of the Mexican - American War. It was fought at dawn on December 6, 1846.
Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny left Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in June of 1846. Three hundred soldiers marched across the Southwestern desert toward California. Their goal was to conquer California for the United States.
General Kearny reached New Mexico and received information that California was in American hands. He sent two-thirds of his army back to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The General had no idea the information was incorrect, he had just sent back troops that would have given him a tremendous advantage in the skirmish to come!
Led by Kit Carson (a western guide), one hundred or so weary American soldiers traveled from outside Santa Fe, New Mexico through the desert to Santa Maria, California. They arrived December 5, 1846 - wet, cold, and exhausted from their travels and the weather.
Major Andres Pico, of the Californio force, was camped nearby at the Native American Pueblo of San Pasqual. General Kearny learned of the camp and sent a secret mission of soldiers to investigate the Mexican solider camp. However, they made too much noise and were discovered by the Californio’s!!
At dawn, General Kearny led an attack down the hills toward the Californio’s in the bloodiest battle of the Mexican - American War. The Californio’s lances had an advantage over the U.S. troops’ short swords and rifles with dampened gunpowder.
Later that night the U.S. troops regrouped and left the battle site exiting toward San Diego. Major Pico and his troops caught up to the U. S. troops where the battle continued for several more days.
Fortunately on December 11th, additional U. S. troops from San Diego had arrived to rescue General Kearny. The Californio’s departed when sight of the additional U. S. troops had been discovered.
The controversial outcome of the San Pasqual Battle still exists. General Kearny reports about eighteen soldiers lost their lives during the battle and four more dying later with complications due to wounds. Major Pico reported only one Californio was killed.
Who won the bloodiest battle in California history? The controversy still exists and it will be up to YOU to decide! However, we know who won the Mexican - American War!
San Pasqual Nature Trail
San Pasqual Battlefield State Park offers a Nature Trail to explore during your visit. The fair sized trail focuses on the native plant vegetation and local terrain. You will find marked areas along this trail that identify each plant or notable areas of interest.
You can find a handout at the museum which describes each plant and area of interest. The trail climbs up a hill, includes a rest stop, and circles back to beginning. The trail is about ½ mile long. Half way through you can see a great view of the San Pasqual Battlefield in the valley below.
San Pasqual Battlefield and Park Contact Information
- Address
- 15808 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92025
- Phone Number
- Hours
- Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Map
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