Portuguese Explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, who was commissioned by the Viceroy of New Spain to find a route to China or find the Northwest Passage connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, sailed from Navidad, New Spain, on June 27. With three ships, he sailed up the coast of Baja California. On September 28, landed at San Diego Bay (which he named San Miguel Bay), claiming Alta California for Spain. He discovered and named each of the California Channel Islands. On October 8, he landed at San Pedro Bay (which he named Bahía de los Fumos, due to smoke from American Indian fires). On December 24, Cabrillo splintered his shin while attempting to rescue some of his men from attacking Tongva warriors. He developed gangrene, and died on January 3, 1543, and was buried on San Miguel Island.
Timeline of California Colonial History
From European Discovery to American Rule
Second-in-Command Bartolomé Ferrer continued the voyage, possibly reaching as far north as the Rogue River in Oregon. He named Cape Mendocino after the Viceroy of New Spain, Antonio de Mendoza. He was eventually forced to return to New Spain, without completing the mission to find a route to China or the Northwest Passage.
During his circumnavigation of the globe and sacking of Spanish colonial settlements, English privateer Francis Drake landed in Alta California in June to repair his ship, The Golden Hind. He probably landed at Drake's Bay, and claimed the land for England, naming it Nova Albion. He had friendly relations with the local Miwok Indians.
While returning from Macau to Acapulco, Spanish sailor Francisco Gali returned on a high latitude and reached the northern part of Half Moon Bay. He noted the presence of many seals, suggesting many rivers and bays along the Alta California coast.
Viceroy Pedro Moya de Contreras of New Spain learned of Gali's account, and ordered Gali to survey the coast of Japan and the coast of Alta California, to provide a way station for the Manila Galleons, further explore Alta California, and prevent rival powers from encroaching on Spanish America. Gali died in Manila, and the expedition fell to his second-in-command Pedro de Unamuno.
On July 12, Pedro de Unamuno sailed from Macau, and arrived at Alta California on October 18. He landed at Monterey Bay or Morro Bay, and made contact with American Indians. One of the goals was to establish a trade route between New Spain and China. The expedition was composed of Spanish and Filipino crew, three Franciscan friars, and a young Japanese boy who had converted to Catholicism. This was the first time in recorded history that Asians (the Filipinos) set foot in America.
King Felipe II of Spain sent Portuguese sailor Sebastião Rodrigues Soromenho to Alta California to map the coastline. He sailed from Manila to Trinidad Head in Humboldt County, arriving on November 4. He sailed south and explored Drake's Bay, and met the American Indians who had met with Francis Drake 16 years earlier. His ship and cargo was sunk in a storm. The survivors then sailed on a small boat to New Spain, completely missing San Francisco Bay.
Spanish sailor Sebastián Vizcaíno was sent by Viceroy Gaspar de Zúñiga, the Count of Monterrey, to explore the coast of Alta California to find safe ports for the Manila Galleons to use on the return voyage to America. He landed in Cabrillo's San Miguel Bay, and renamed it San Diego Bay. He explored Monterey Bay, reported that it had a good anchorage and land suitable for growing crops, and made detailed charts of the area. Vizcaíno was forced to turn back at Cape Mendocino due to illness and starvation of his crew. There was great excitement for a settlement at Monterey, but Viceroy Zúñiga was reassigned to be Viceroy of Peru, and his successor was not interested.
In 1762, the British captured Manila and Havana during the Seven Years War, which encouraged the Spanish to plan missions and presidios in Alta California to protect their trade with Asia.
Gaspar de Portolá y Rovira was appointed as the first governor of Las Californias (Alta and Baja California).
Visitador General José de Gálvez of New Spain decided to create missions in Alta California to Christianize the Indians and block Russian claims to the Pacific coast of North America.
In late June, Governor Gaspar de Portolá and Franciscan Padre Junípero Serra arrived at San Diego after a 900-mile trek from Loreto, New Spain, and founded the Presidio of San Diego on July 1. On July 16, Father Serra founded Mission San Diego de Alcala, named after Saint Didactus of Alcala. It was the first mission in Alta California, and was called the 'Mother of the Alta California Missions.' Governor Gaspar de Portolá and Fray Juan Crespí continued exploring up the coast to find Monterey. This was the first European expedition to the interior of Alta California. On July 28, they felt a strong earthquake at the Santa Ana River. Father Crespí named a river 'El Río de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula' at the site where Los Angeles would be later founded. On September 30, they reached Monterey, but failed to recognize it as Vizcaíno's port described 167 years prior. They continued north and found Drake's Bay and the Farallon Islands. They started to realize that they had missed Monterey. Scouts continued northward until they were blocked by the mouth of San Francisco Bay. They went down the peninsula, and around the east side of the bay as far as present day Hayward, when they gave up trying to get past the bay. Portolá led the expedition into the hills, where they were able to see the vast size of the bay. In November, they decided that they had missed Monterey on the way north. They also failed to identify Monterey Bay on the return trip to San Diego. They planted a large wooden cross on a hill that could be seen from the ocean near where they suspected Monterey Bay might be. The expedition established the Camino Real ('Royal Road') between San Diego and San Francisco.
Governor Portolá led a second expedition to find Monterey Bay and establish a permanent settlement there. On May 24, they arrived at Monterey, and finally identified it as Vizcaíno's Monterey Bay. Father Serra arrived by ship on May 31. Portolá founded the Presidio of Monterey on the hill with the giant cross from the previous expedition. Monterey became the capital of Alta California. Father Serra founded the Mission San Carlos Borromeo, named after Saint Carlo Borromeo, the Archbishop of Milan. It was the second mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Father of the Alta California Missions.' Father Serra found the land at the mouth of the Carmel River was better suited for farming, and moved the mission further south the following year. On August 1, 1771, it was re-established as Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo. Felipe de Barri was appointed governor of Las Californias to replace Portolá. He remained in Baja California, and Lt. Governor Pedro Fages in Monterey exercised de facto control over Alta California as acting military governor.
On July 14, Padre Junípero Serra founded Mission San Antonio de Padua, near present day Jolon, named after the Saint Anthony of Padua. It was the 3rd mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Mission of the Sierras.' On September 8, Fray Ángel Fernández de la Somera and Fray Pedro Benito Cambón founded Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, named after the Archangel Gabriel. It was the 4th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Pride of the Alta California Missions.' It was damaged by flooding in 1776, and relocated 5 miles closer to the mountains in present day San Gabriel.
On September 1, Padre Junípero Serra founded Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, in present day San Luis Obispo, named after the Saint Louis, the Bishop of Toulouse. It was the 5th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Prince of the Missions.'
Fernando Rivera y Moncada replaced Fages as Lt. Governor of Las Californias (and acting military governor of Alta California).
On March 28, Captain Juan Bautista de Anza selected the site for the San Francisco Presidio. On June 29, Spanish settlers founded the settlement of San Francisco, and held the first mass at La Laguna de los Dolores. On September 17, 1776, Lt. José Joaquín Moraga officially founded the San Francisco Presidio as a military outpost. On October 9, Padre Junípero Serra and Father Francisco Palóu founded Mission de Nuestro Padre San Francisco de Asís, in present day San Francisco, named after Saint Francis of Assisi. It was the 6th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Mission Dolores.' On November 1, Padre Junípero Serra and Gregorio Amurrio founded Mission San Juan Capistrano, in present day San Juan Capistrano, named after a 14th century warrior priest from Abruzzo, Italy. It was the 7th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Jewel of the Missions.'
On January 12, Padre Junípero Serra founded Mission Santa Clara de Asís in present day Santa Clara, named after Saint Claire of Assisi. It was the 8th mission founded in Alta California. On November 29, Lt. José Joaquín Moraga founded the town of San José. In 1777, Felipe de Neve y Padilla was appointed Governor of Las Californias.
English Captain James Cook on HMS Resolution mapped the California coast for England.
On September 4, Governor Felipe de Neve founded the Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles, named after the Virgin Mary, the Queen of the Angels.
On March 31, Padre Junípero Serra founded Mission San Buenaventura in present day Ventura, named after Saint Bonaventure. It was the 9th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Mission by the Sea.' On April 21, Governor Felipe de Neve founded the Santa Barbara Presidio to defend the region. California was divided into four military districts, each headed by one of the four presidios – San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey and San Francisco. In 1782, Pedro Fages was appointed as Governor of Las Californias.
The first wine is produced in Alta California at Mission San Juan Capistrano.
On December 4, Padre Fermín de Lasuén founded Mission La Señora Santa Bárbara, Virgen y Mártir in present day Santa Barbara, named after Saint Barbara of Greece. It was the 10th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Queen of the Missions.'
On December 8, Padre Fermín de Lasuén founded Mission La Purísima Concepción de la Santísima Virgen María in present day Santa Barbara, named after the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. It was the 11th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Linear Mission.'
In April, Pedro Fages stepped down as governor of Las Californias, and was replaced by José Antonio Roméu. On August 28, Padre Fermín de Lasuén founded Mission de la Exaltación de la Santa Cruz in present day Santa Cruz, named after the feast day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It was the 12th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Hard-Luck Mission.' On October 9, Padre Fermín de Lasuén founded Mission María Santísima, Nuestra Señora Dolorosísima de la Soledad in present day Soledad, named after the Virgin Mary, the Most Sorrowful Lady of Solitude. It was the 13th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Holy Mission.'
On April 9, Governor José Antonio Roméu died, and José Joaquín de Arrillaga served as Interim Governor of Las Californias.
Diego de Borica y Retegui replaced Roméu as Governor of Las Californias.
On June 11, Padre Fermín de Lasuén founded Mission del Gloriosísimo Patriarca Señor San José in present day Fremont, named after the Glorious Patriarch, Saint Joseph. It was the 14th mission founded in Alta California. On June 24, Padre Fermín de Lasuén founded Mission San Juan Bautista in present day San Juan Bautista, named after Saint John the Baptist. It was the 15th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Mission of Music.' On July 25, Padre Fermín de Lasuén founded Mission San Miguel Árcangel in present day San Miguel, named after Saint Michael the Archangel. It was the 16th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Mission on the Highway.' On September 8, Padre Fermín de Lasuén founded Mission San Fernando, Rey de España in present day Los Angeles, named after Saint Fernando III, the King of Castilla. It was the 17th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Mission of the Valley.'
On June 12, Padre Fermín de Lasuén founded Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in present day Oceanside, named after Saint Louis IX, the King of France. It was the 18th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'King of the Missions.'
Diego de Borica y Retegui resigned as Governor of Las Californias, and Pedro de Alberní y Teixidor was appointed interim governor and comandante of the four presidios in Alta California. In 1800, José Joaquín de Arrillaga was appointed as Governor of Las Californias.
On September 17, Father Presidente Pedro Estéban Tápis founded Mission Santa Inés, Virgen y Mártir in present day Solvang, named after Saint Agnes of Rome. It was the 19th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Hidden Gem of the Missions.' In 1804, the colony of Las Californias was divided into the separate colonies of Alta California and Baja California, and José Joaquín de Arrillaga served as the first Governor of Alta California.
Alta California was no longer under the control of Spain due to the imprisonment of King Fernando VII by Napoleon. The colony depended on trade with other colonies for survival.
On September 16, a revolution broke out in Dolores, Mexico, against Spanish rule in New Spain, resulting in ten years of fighting. Spanish supply ships stopped arriving in Alta California.
In August, the Russian-American Company set up a fortified trading post at Fort Ross, near Bodega Bay on land claimed by both Spain and Great Britain.
Governor José Joaquín de Arrillaga died, as José Darío Argüello was appointed as Interim Governor of Alta California.
In August, Governor José Darío Argüello was named Governor of Baja California, and Pablo Vicente de Solá became the final Governor of Alta California under Spanish rule.
On December 14, Father Vicente Francisco de Sarría founded Mission del Gloriosísimo Príncipe San Rafael Árcangel in present day San Rafael, named after Saint Raphael the Archangel. It was the 20th mission founded in Alta California, and was known as the 'Mission of Bodily Healing.' It was founded as a sub-mission of Mission San Francisco de Asís to treat sick Indians. On October 19, 1822, it was raised to the status of a full mission.
On November 20, French-born pirate Hippolyte Bouchard, sailing as a corsair for Argentina, attacked the Presidio of Monterey in Alta California, and looted and burned the town for six days. On December 14, Bouchard attacked Mission San Juan Capistrano, but was driven off.
On August 24, the final Spanish Viceroy of New Spain, Juan José Rafael Teodomiro de O'Donojú y O'Ryan, signed the Treaty of Córdoba ending Spanish rule in New Spain. It was rejected by Spain, but they were not in a position to contest it. The Mexican Empire was established by Agustín de Iturbide the following year. Due to its small population, Alta California was not considered one of the constituent Mexican States, but was a subject territory.
On April 11, news arrived in Monterey of the independence of Mexico from Spain. Governor Pablo Vicente de Solá swore allegiance to the government in Mexico City, and became a delegate from Alta California to the Mexican Congress. Mexico replaced Governor Solá by Luis Antonio Argüello, who became the first native-born governor of Alta California (he was born in San Francisco), and the only governor serving under the Mexican Empire (1821-1823).
On July 4, Father José Altimira founded Mission San Francisco Solano in present day Sonoma, named after Saint Francis Solanus. It was the 21st mission founded in Alta California, and the only one founded under Mexican rule. Governor Luis Antonio Argüello was concerned the Russians might expand their claims inland, so he was in favor of founding Mission San Francisco Solano.
The First Mexican Republic was established, and it claimed Alta California as part of its territory.
In 1825, José María de Echeandía, replaced Luis Antonio Argüello as Governor of Alta California. He was the first Mexican-born Governor of Alta California.
On July 25, Governor José María de Echeandía issued a Proclamation of Emancipation, which freed all Indians in the military districts of San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Monterey from the missions, and they became eligible for Mexican citizenship.
The Mexican Congress passed the General Law of Expulsion, declaring all persons born in Spain (younger than 60) to be illegal immigrants, and ordering them to leave Mexico.
In 1831, Manuel Victoria replaced José María de Echeandía as Governor of Alta California. Wealthy citizens in Alta California petitioned Governor Manuel Victoria for democratic reforms, but he resisted. They formed a small army, and captured Los Angeles. Governor Victoria was wounded in the Battle of Cahuenga Pass, and was forced to resign. He was replaced by the more popular previous governor, José María de Echeandía, as Interim Governor.
On January 14, José María Figueroa was appointed as Governor of Alta California. The Mexican Congress passed the Decree for the Secularization of the Missions of California, and the government seized the missions from the Catholic Church. Over the next three years, all the missions were abandoned, the priests expelled, and all the valuables were stripped. The land owned by the missions was taken from the Indian workers and sold in large grants called Ranchos. This resulted in the ruin of all the California Missions, and the rise of large Ranchos in Alta California. Governor José Figueroa replaced all Spanish-born Franciscan fathers with Mexican-born Franciscan priests for all missions north of Mission San Antonio de Padua, so Father Presidente Narciso Durán transferred the headquarters of the Mission System to Mission Santa Barbara.
Governor José Figueroa of Alta California granted Rancho Petaluma to Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, who was appointed as comandante of the Fourth Military District (San Francisco) and Director of Colonization of the Northern Frontier to counter Russian expansion.
The Centralist Republic of Mexico under Antonio López de Santa Anna replaced the First Mexican Republic, and claimed Alta California as part of its territory. In July, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo seized Mission San Francisco Solano, distributed some of the land to the Indians, and transferred the buildings and most of the land to his Rancho Petaluma. On September 29, Governor José Figueroa died, and José Antonio Castro was appointed Interim Governor of Alta California.
In January, Nicolás Gutiérrez replaced José Casto as Interim Governor of Alta California. In April, Governor Mariano Chico arrived and assumed the governship from Gutierrez. In 1836, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo founded the Presidio of Sonoma to defend the northernmost military district in Alta California from Russian expansion in the region. Mexico repealed the 1824 Constitution, and united Alta California and Baja California into the Department of the Californias. Alta California retained its capital at Monterey, and nothing really changed in its administration. In July, Governor Chico resigned, and Nicolás Gutiérrez again became Interim Governor of Alta California. In November 1836, Juan Bautista Alvarado and José Castro, with assistance from Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo (Comandante of the 5th Military District) and a group of Americans staged a revolt against Governor Nicolás Gutiérrez. Gutiérrez resigned in favor of José Castro.
The rebellion ended, and Juan Bautista Alvarado was recognized as the legitimate governor by Mexico, and Castro became lieutenant-colonel of the militia. Carlos Antonio Carrillo was appointed Governor of Las Californias, but he was unable to assume power from the popular Juan Bautista Alvarado, who remained governor.
The Russian-American Company sold Fort Ross to John Sutter, a Swiss man who was a citizen of Mexico. On November 4, the first American wagon train arrived in California after a six-month trip from Missouri.
In December, Manuel Micheltorena was appointed as Governor of Las Californias by Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna.
Juan Bautista Alvarado led another insurrection against the Mexican government. Governor Manuel Micheltorena was defeated by the Californios at the Battle of Providencia. In February, Pío Pico was appointed Governor of Las Californias, and was the last to serve under Mexican rule. He moved the capital of Alta California from Monterey to Los Angeles. Governor Pico advocated Alta California becoming independent from Mexico, and becoming a British protectorate.
On May 12, the United States declared War on Mexico due to the attack on US troops on the Río Grande in April. On June 14, American settlers seized Sonoma, and declared the California Republic during the Bear Flag Revolt. On July 5, John C. Fremont formed the California Battalion, and marched on Sutter's Fort. On July 6, the US Navy under Commodore John D. Sloat seized Monterey. On July 9, the American settlers abandoned independence and joined forces with the United States against the Mexican administration. The Navy seized cities in the south of the colony, and the Californios formed irregular units to fight back. When US troops occupied Los Angeles and San Diego, Governor Pío Pico fled to Mexico in August, and requested the Mexican Congress send troops to defend Alta California. On November 1, General José María Flores declared himself Governor of Alta California, and fought the American invasion.
In January, Governor Flores was defeated in the Battle of la Mesa by Commodore Robert Stockton. Flores was replaced by General Andrés Pico as Acting Governor of Alta California. On January 13, Governor Andrés Pico met with Lt. Col. John Fremont, and they agreed to the Ceasefire of Cahuenga, ending hostilities in California. Pico promised to end the hostilities in exchange for Fremont agreeing to stop burning Californio ranchos and stealing livestock.
On January 24, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill. The Colonial Era ended on February 2, with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ending the Mexican-American War. Mexico ceded Alta California and Nuevo Mexico to the United States.