The Arroyo de Cantúa was first explored by a detachment of troops under José de Guadalupe Cantúa (1786–1860) who served in the Spanish army, stationed at San Juan Bautista, and lead the party that first explored the Arroyo Cantúa area while gathering in the Native American people that lived in the area for the Mission San Juan. Arroyo Cantúa was named in his honor. He was later granted the Rancho San Luisito near San Luis Obispo.[4]
The 19th century Spanish and Mexican El Camino Viejo trail crossed the Arroyo Cantúa in the San Joaquin Valley.[5]
Rancho de Cantua
Two of Guadalupe Cantúa's sons, Lupe and Domingo, later established a ranch on the Arroyo Cantúa. They were members of the California bandit Joaquin Murrieta's Five Joaquins Gang and their ranch in the mountains on the Arroyo Cantúa was the gathering place for the gangs herd of stolen horses and mustangs the gang would organize for the drive down to their ranch in Sonora, Mexico for later sale.[6]: 96, 97, 402–403