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Spanish Place Names in California

In the 18th century, Spanish missionaries set up a series of missionary bases throughout what is now known as the State of California. In 1821, Mexico (including California) became an independent country. Although California fell under the control of the United States in 1847, many Spanish place names remain. Given the English translations below, how many Spanish-language settlements can you name?
This list is not exhaustive
Source: Wikipedia
Quiz by
elijahwade
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Last updated: October 17, 2023
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First submittedAugust 24, 2018
Times taken615
Average score44.2%
Rating5.00
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English Translation
Spanish Name
'Ash Tree' (one word)
Fresno
'Saint Paul'
San Pablo
'Ranch'
Rancho Cucamonga
'The Bridge'
La Puente
'Poplar Grove' (one word)
Alameda
'Saint Charles'
San Carlos
'The Baths'
Los Banos
'The Center'
El Centro
'Wood'
Madera
'Holy Cross'
Santa Cruz
'Tall Stick'
Palo Alto
'Coast Table'
Costa Mesa
'The [Small] Cottonwoods'
Los Alamitos
'Crown'
Corona
'The Look'
La Mirada
'Saint Francis'
San Francisco
'Mercy'
Merced
'The Second'
El Segundo
'Schooner' (type of ship)
Goleta
'Saint John [the] Baptist'
San Juan Bautista
'Butter' or 'Lard'
Manteca
'Solitude'
Soledad
'Little Hills' (one word)
Cerritos
'Tar' or 'Pitch'
Brea
'Saint Mark'
San Marcos
'Beautiful View'
Chula Vista
English Translation
Spanish Name
'The Drawer'
El Cajon
'Sacrament'
Sacramento
'Hidden'
Escondido
'Saint James'
San Diego
'Indian'
Indio
'The Table'
La Mesa
'Lagoon'
Laguna Beach
'Saint Mary'
Santa Maria
'Modest'
Modesto
'Green Sticks'
Palos Verdes Estates
'View'
Vista
'The Glen'
La Cañada Flintridge
'Saint Joseph'
San Jose
'Good'
Buena Park
'Ranch [of] Saint Margaret'
Rancho Santa Margarita
'The Mountain'
El Monte
'Saint Matthew'
San Mateo
'River View'
Rio Vista
'The Angels'
Los Angeles
'Saint Leonard'
San Leandro
'Trinity'
Trinidad
'Saint Claire'
Santa Clarita
'Carpentry'
Carpinteria
'Old Alder'
Aliso Viejo
'The Cats'
Los Gatos
'Saint Louis [the] Bishop [of Toulouse]'
San Luis Obispo
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6 Comments
TravelingMama
+2
Level 73
Nov 20, 2020
I've always heard "manteca" referring to lard. I see on Google it can also mean butter but I've never heard it used that way.
elijahwade
+2
Level 96
Nov 21, 2020
It can be used to refer to 'butter' regionally, which is the way it was used when naming the place. But I will amend the quiz to account for 'lard'.
TravelingMama
+3
Level 73
Nov 25, 2020
Interesting. I'm married to a native Spanish speaker who likes to joke about Manteca every time we drive through it. He thinks it's so amusing the town is named 'lard.'
garcogait
+1
Level 67
Dec 11, 2021
knowing Portuguese helps a little while doing this quiz
thread
+1
Level 67
Oct 17, 2023
Nice quiz. Wouldn't Santa Clara be better for Saint Clair, or to have both options at least?
elijahwade
+1
Level 96
Oct 17, 2023
Sure, will allow more type-ins.
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