El Camino Real - CA-37 WB - Sears Point - Californian Bells of El Camino Real on Waymarking.com

The Camino Real begins in Sonoma and extends south to the border with Mexico.

The Mission Bell Marker system has existed on the historic El Camino Real route since 1906. By 1913, over 450 markers were in place, but over the years the bells were removed due to damage, vandalism and theft. In 1959, the Division of Highways was legislatively mandated to maintain the marker system.

Caltrans initiated a plan to maintain the system beginning in 1974, when less than 100 of the original Mission Bell Markers remained. The bells are exact copies of the original 1906 bells; in fact the original bell molds were used to fabricate the bells. Mission Bell Marker locations were chosen based on safety, constructability, visibility and scenic quality of the site. Spacing between marker locations varied based on existing site conditions and limitations. An average spacing of 1 to 2 miles was sought when identifying the locations.

Caltrans Landscape Architecture Program began in 1996 to fulfill its vision to restore the historic El Camino Real Mission Bell Marker system from San Diego to Sonoma.

The second and final phase of the restoration project was completed between San Francisco and Sonoma in late 2012. The Mission Bell Marker system as originally envisioned in the earlier part of the last century has finally been realized!

County: Sonoma Location: This bell is found on CA-37 West Bound just after the junction with CA-121. Placed by: Not listed Year placed: Not listed Bell Type: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
1) Take and upload a photo of the bell with your GPSr (or you) in it. Drive-by photos from the car window are perfectly acceptable as long as they have your GPSr in them.

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