Ohlone Tribe Facts
Other names: Costanoan
Home region: Greater San Francisco Bay region, including Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito and northern Monterey Counties
Mission affiliations: San Carlos Borromeo, San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores), Santa Clara de Asís, Santa Cruz, San José
Historical background: Ohlone is a name used to describe a large number of diverse groups that spoke related (Penutian) languages throughout the San Francisco Bay region. The Spanish referred to them as costeños (coastal people), and American anthropologists anglicized that to “Costanoan,” later preferring the term “Ohlone,” after a village on the San Mateo County coast.
Interesting facts: The legacy of Ohlone life can be found all over the greater Bay Area, from Monterey County to the south through San Francisco to the north and the Carquinez Strait to the east of the bay.
Today: Ohlone descendants today are represented through groups such as the Muwekma Ohlone tribe of San Francisco Bay, the Indian Canyon Nation, and the Amah-Mutsun Tribal Band.
Damian Bacich
Damian Bacich, Ph.D. writes about California and the West. He is also a professor, translator and historical researcher. You can learn more about Damian here.
