Author and 8th generation Californian Robert Soto presents The 1776 DeAnza Expedition Legacy in California and Cambria, a personal and historical look at the families and journeys that defined early Californian-Spanish heritage.
The talk arrives at a meaningful moment. As the country approaches its 250th anniversary, Soto offers a perspective rooted in lived family history rather than textbook summary. He traces his own ancestors back through the DeAnza Expedition of 1775 and 1776, the ranching traditions that followed, and the Spanish and American periods of California that preceded the modern era. Soto is the author of An Old California Family: The Sotos of Cambria, drawing on generations of firsthand stories tied directly to this region.
Hosted at the Cambria Historical Museum, this evening includes a wine bar and gourmet refreshments. Seating is limited to 60, so reservations are encouraged. Tickets are free for CHS members and $20 for non-members. Memberships purchased now are valid through July 1, 2027, and members attend speaker events at no additional cost. Tickets and memberships are available at the Museum gift shop, open Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., or online at cambriahistoricalsociety.com.
For more lectures, community programs, and weekend ideas across town, the HelloCambria event calendar is the easiest way to plan.
