local
Days before America's independence, San Francisco turns 250
By Joe Rosato Jr. at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· June 29, 2026
· 5 min read
On June 27, 1776, seven days before the Declaration of Independence was signed in the East, a group of weary travelers arrived in what would become San Francisco and began to scratch their lives into the verdant valley that would become the Mission District — and the sand dunes and serpentine roc...
Key takeaway They were led 1,200 miles on a trek that wound through heat and snow by Spanish Lt.
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Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? On June 27, 1776, seven days before the Declaration of Independence was signed in the East, a group of weary travelers arrived in what would become San Francisco and began to scratch their lives into the verdant valley that would become the Mission District — and the sand dunes and serpentine roc...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joe Rosato Jr. at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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