Sun, 03 May 2026 23:23:34 +0000

San Anselmo’s Hidden Past Will Change Everything You Think About This Coastal Town Nestled along California’s stunning Pacific coast, San Anselmo often charms visitors with its quaint downtown, charming boutiques, and picturesque beach views. But beyond its reputation as a peaceful seaside community lies a rich and lesser-known history that reshapes how we see this idyllic town. Long before postcard-ready streets and tourist shops defined San Anselmo, it was a place of intrigue, resilience, and cultural transformation—secrets waiting to be uncovered. ### A Legacy Forged in Contradiction While San Anselmo is now celebrated for its idyllic charm, its past reveals a complex tapestry woven with Native heritage, early European influence, and unexpected flashpoints in California history. Before Spanish missionaries and Anglo settlers arrived, the area was home to the Coastal Miwok people, whose deep spiritual and cultural ties to the land shaped the region long before colonization. Their legacy, though often overlooked, forms an essential part of the town’s hidden narrative.