The Spaniards Colonize California

In the 18th century, the colonial powers considered the California coast hot property. The Spaniards, English, and Russians all wanted the vast resources of this bountiful land. The Spaniards launched expeditions from their colony in Mexico, claiming California for the Spanish crown. The Spaniards worried about the Russian presence in California, with the czar’s men ranging as far as Baja California in search of sea otter pelts. Francis Drake had landed in northern California in 1579, presumably at Point Reyes, claiming the area for Queen Elizabeth l.

In 1769 the Spaniards sent Captain Gaspar de Portola on a colonial mission up the California coast to establish a settlement at Monterey. They chose Monterey because 150 years earlier Sebastian Vizcaino had sailed into Monterey Bay and returned to Spain with a glowing report of its safe and secure harbor, a gross exaggeration at best.Vizcaino evidently liked the area, painting a favorable picture in hopes of returning.

Portola departed San Diego in July 1769 with 64 people including soldiers, Indian servants, priests and others. They traveled up the coast until the steep Big Sur coastline forced them inland. Reaching the upper Salinas Valley in late September, they then followed the Salinas River to the coast. They searched for the fine harbor at Monterey described by Vizcaino, but found no protected harbor because it didn’t exist. Portola, determined to keep looking despite low supplies and illness, led the expedition north. The group soon camped near the mouth of San Pedro Creek at Pacifica. On October 1 1, Portola rode up Sweeney Ridge and discovered the huge San Francisco Bay. The expedition returned to San Diego. Despite the report of no secure harbor at Monterey, Portola planned their return to found a mission and presidio there. Father Junipero Serra, in charge of setting up missions, sailed to Monterey while Portola led the overland expedition, reaching Monterey in just 36 days. They soon established the first mission and presidio at Monterey. Then Serra moved his mission south to Carmel for the fresh water and fertile soil. In official ceremonies on June 3, 1770, Portola claimed the land for Spain, beginning the Spanish settlement of California.

Meanwhile, in Sonora, Mexico, Captain Juan Bautista de Anza was fighting Apache Indians on behalf of the Spanish crown. Rumors circulated that the Portola expedition had succeeded, igniting the idea that a trail could link Sonora to the new colony. De Anza, who had heard of the vast bay fed by a big river (the Sacramento) north of Monterey, was given the job. He mounted the expedition in October 1775 with 300 people and six tons of food. The group traveled through Arizona and southern California, arriving in Monterey in March 1776. De Anza then left for San Francisco Bay with a smaller group. They stopped at the bay’s entrance and established the Presidio, while Father Serra established a mission a few miles south. Today significant historical parks and buildings remain marking California’s Spanish era. These include presidios at San Francisco and Monterey, the 21 missions, and the buildings of Monterey State Historic Park. While we celebrate these events as important parts of California history, we must also note that the colonization of California took a tremendous toll on native Americans. The Spaniards exploited the resources and people, with the mission system enslaving the natives to work the farms, leading to the destruction of native culture.