Cupa Cultural Indian Center

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Location: Pala (52 Miles / 55 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)

Hours: 9:30AM – 4:30PM, Monday through Friday

Cost: Free

Features: Displays of artifacts, photographs, arts & crafts, and history of the Pala Indians, including the Cupeno Trail of Tears

cupa-indian-museumCupa Cultural Center Highlights: The Pala Indian Tribe is made up of the ancestral Luiseno and Cupeno Indians. The Luiseno Indians lived along the San Luis Rey River in North Coastal San Diego while the Cupeno Indians originally lived near the head of the San Luis River in the northern San Diego mountains.

The two Indian tribes were brought together as one in 1903 when the Cupeno Indians were evicted from their homes in what is now Warner Springs after losing their claims in a case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.  Photographs in the Cultural Center depict the Cupeno’s Trail of Tears as they were marched to their new home in Pala.

Additional photographs of homes and artifacts, which include a number of basket weavings, depict life on the Indian Reservation around that time period.

The museum consists of two small rooms that will take most visitors 15 – 30 minutes to browse. It provides a glimpse into the 12,000 year history of Indians living in the San Diego area. To learn more, visit the Cupa Cultural Center web site.

Information on Visiting the Cupa Cultural Center

Directions from Google Maps to 35008 Pala Temecula Road in Pala, CA 92059.

Traffic – It is relatively easy to reach the Cupa Cultural Center. It is only 7 miles east of highway I-15.

Transit – There is no transit service to the Cupa Cultural Indian Center.

Nearby Attractions – The Pala Casino Spa Resort is a nice place to stop for some food on the way home, not to mention enjoying some of their other amenities. Also, consider visiting one of the local tourmaline mines that attracts museum curators, jewelers, and rockhounds from around the world.

Find More Attractions with Similar Themes or Location: Ethnic Culture, North County Inland |

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