The Juan Bautista de Anza marker symbol (TM)
is protected by the National Park Service
and can only be used with permission.

AMIGOS De ANZA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization created by George Cardinet, "Grandfather" of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. George had a vision, a goal and few good friends --- Doni Hubbard, Nancy Dupont and Jeannie Gillen. Beyond George's initial 20 year efforts to see the Anza Trail recognized and funded by Congress, he then set about bringing that trail to the people of Mexico, Arizona and California.

Heritage Trails Fund established the "Amigos de Anza," a committee devoted solely to the Anza Trail. The HTF/Amigos had a Cooperative Agreement with National Park Service under the authority of the National Trails System Act. This Cooperative Agreement will serve to benefit the public by substantially involving both parties in the implementation of the Comprehensive Management Plan and assisting the Amigos to educate visitors about the trail, protect resources along the route, monitor trail development, mark the trail, solicit funds, and undertake a variety of other activities which support the objectives of the trail.

Amigos de Anza Doni Hubbard organized a traveling conference for the members in 1993. We toured the trail in northern California, we conferenced in the old Officers quarters at the Presidio in San Francisco, we re-enacted a portion of the trail in Palo Alto, at the Big Tree, and we drank from the same spring Juan Bautista de Anza did over 200 years ago at Bernal Ranch.

In November of 1994 we rode our horses into Coyote Canyon at the Anza Borrego State Park - complete with snow, hail and 90mph winds to contend with. We slept out under the stars, drank from the natural springs in Coyote Wash and re-lived some of the history, the hardship and the pleasures of camaraderie.

In the spring of 1996 the Amigos traveled to Santa Barbara to participate in their 214th Anniversary of the Founding of the City of Santa Barbara and the 220th Anniversary of the Anza Expedition. Vi Obern worked for 9 months to change a city ordinance that would allow us to ride our horses on the beach as Anza did. The Historical Society, Los Californianos, Los Descendientes, Dr. Juan Ignacio Rodriguez of Mexico City, school children, trail users and city officials all supported this grand event at the Santa Barbara Presidio.

In 1996 Nancy Dupont and Jeannie Gillen journeyed to Washington D.C. to "educate" Congress about the value of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, the value of other National Trails, the value of National Park Service and the need to continue to fund these programs. With their Stetson hats and their winning smiles, they contributed to the appropriations decisions that followed.

Heritage Trails Fund/Amigos de Anza made it possible with the leadership, assistance and support of volunteers from the trail, historical, recreational, educational, economic and political organizations. To learn more about Amigos de Anza, National and local Trails contact:

George Cardinet, President, Amigos de Anza
5301 Pine Hollow Road
Concord, CA 94521
Phone 510-937-7661
Email htrails@earthlink.net

Nancy DuPont, No.California Chair Amigos de Anza
1350 Castle Rock Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Phone 510-937-7661
Email htrails@earthlink.net

Meredith Kaplan, Coordinator National Park Service
600 Harrison Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone 415-427-1438 FAX 415-744-4043
Meredith_Kaplan@nps.gov

Jeannie Gillen, So.California Chair Amigos de Anza
30195 Del Rey Rd.
Temecula, CA 92591
Phone 909-506-5833
Fax 909-506-3963
jgillen@pe.net

Anza Trail Coalition of Arizona
PO Box 42612
Tucson, AZ 85733-2612
Phone 520-325-0909

Juan Bautista de Anza Trail Website Production Team Members