SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember David Alvarez (D–San Diego) announced today that Assembly Bill 2770, the San Pasqual Ancestral Land Repatriation Act of 2026, has passed the Assembly. This legislation that would return 3.68 acres of state-owned land within the San Pasqual Battlefield State Park to the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians.
“Today’s vote is a significant step toward righting a historic wrong and honoring the sovereignty of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “This sacred land, which includes a tribal cemetery and has been closed to the public for years, has sat underutilized. By returning this ancestral land to its true owners, we empower the Tribe to restore this space and share their rich history and culture with all Californians.”
The park, located in San Pasqual Valley north of San Diego, consists of both state-owned parcels and land owned by the City of San Diego. Despite its historical and cultural significance to the tribe, including a tribal cemetery situated on the parkland, the San Pasqual Battlefield State Park has remained closed, serving neither the public nor the Native community with deep ties to the valley. AB 2770 mandates the state transfer its parcel of the park to the tribe and encourages the City of San Diego to follow suit.
“I’d like to thank our author – Assemblymember David Alvarez for the passage of AB 2770,” said Stephen W. Cope, Chairman of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians. “AB 2770 truly is the righting of a despicable wrong done against our people many years ago. This land was ours for thousands of years. Our ancestors were born there, our ancestors were raised there, and our ancestors are buried there. Through AB 2770, we can finally begin to heal and restore this land as a museum and cultural center to honor the history of our people.”
Once acquired, the tribe envisions transforming the site into a publicly accessible museum and cultural center. AB 2770 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
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The 80th Assembly District includes the communities of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, Lincoln Acres, Bonita, Otay Mesa and San Ysidro, along with the cities of Chula Vista, National City and Imperial Beach.
