(Pre)historic Past

Near the intersection of La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive is a site where a partial whale skull was found. The fossilized remains were unearthed in 1976 while the Mission Viejo Co. was grading. The 14.5 foot long by 9 foot wide skull enclosed the brain of a 58 foot long Baleen Whale (a member of the Bowhead or right whale family) which lived about 3.5 to 5 million years ago and weighed 50 tons. This is the only fossil skull of its kind on permanent scientific display in California. It is easily viewable in a curated gazebo where the city’s first post office stood.

Established in 1966, a historical landmark placed by the city’s Heritage Committee for the first business, cultural and religious center of Mission Viejo, is also found at this location.

Parking is available at the Animal & Bird Clinic of Mission Viejo located at 24912 Chrisanta Dr, Mission Viejo, CA 92691. There are a number of restaurants nearby, some of my favorites are: TK Burger and Beach Hut Deli. If brand name dining is more your style there’s a Taco Bell and a Starbucks located in the parking lot of the shopping center across the street.