Spanish and Indian place names of California: Their Meaning and Their Romance

"Spanish and Indian Place Names of California: Their Meaning and Their Romance" by Nellie Van de Grift Sanchez is a historical book from the early 1900s that tells the stories behind the names of places in California, focusing on those from Spanish and Native American origins. It mixes facts about where names come from with interesting stories and cultural information to show how early explorers and people who settled there shaped the state. The book wants to be both a helpful guide for visitors and a learning tool. The author starts by explaining why she wrote the book: to keep alive the history and romance held within California’s many place names. She admits it's not always easy figuring out where the Indian names came from and points out how the Spanish and Native Americans had different ways of naming places. Beginning with San Diego, the book promises a journey through the many fascinating tales behind California's geographical names.