Stagecoaches and the routes they traveled capture our imagination because of the romance, excitement, danger, and new experiences they represent. San Diego was part of one of the most significant stagecoach lines in history. The San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line was the first to provide fast and reliable mail service to and from the east. This was followed by the Butterfield Overland Mail. Many other stage lines crisscrossed the county. Stage stations were built to provide food, water, and a safe haven for people, plus water and feed for the animals. Thousands of emigrants, adventurers, and the...

The Mexican ranchos of San Diego County were a colorful and vital part of early California history. Ranchos covered the most fertile lands in San Diego and produced grain, vegetables, and fruits and grazed thousands of head of cattle, sheep, and horses. The dons and donas who owned the ranchos were wealthy in land and cattle and built large adobe ranch-house complexes. The Kumeyaay, Luiseno, and Cupeno were the backbone of the ranchos, providing the labor needed to run a successful ranch. Daily life of the dons, donas, and their families included the Californio traditions of family and...