by Cathie Berglund
Oct. 12, 2026
As we continue our journey through the great story of California’s history, we’re going to explore why Spain ignored what we now call the Golden State for 150 years and how the sparsely inhabited and “uncivilized” region began its transformation into a territory ready to govern itself. On the Edge of Nowhere In Part 1 of this series, we learned about Sebastián Vizcaíno’s 1602 voyage along California’s coast in search of a safe harbor for Spain’s Manila galleon returning from the Philippines to New Spain (Mexico). He recorded that Monterey Bay was perfect for safeguarding ships as they stopped to repair and replenish on their homeward voyage. However, he completely missed the entrance to the more protected San Francisco Bay. Even more puzzling, Spanish ships continued sailing past the Golden Gate without noticing it for the next 170 years. Was it hidden by fog, or camouflaged by the range of mountains just inside of the bay? Or were they just in a hurry to get home? Whatever the reason, Spain made no effort to settle Alta California for more than 150 years. It was simply too remote and difficult to reach by sea and secluded from overland travel due to the Sierra Nevada mountains and deserts on the east. Instead, the Spanish Crown entrusted the exploration and settling of Baja and Alta California to missionaries who desired to bring the Gospel to North America’s indigenous people. But growing interest from other nations, such as Russia and England, eventually forced Spain to take action. In 1759, King Carlos III directed his viceroy to expand Spain’s influence in California. To carry out this plan, a major expedition to California was organized by sea and overland to rediscover the bay at Monterey while missionaries prepared to establish missions in Alta California. This remarkable journey, known as the Sacred Expedition (1769) deserves a study of its own. It also opens an important chapter in California’s history, introducing Father Junípero Serra and beginning California’s path toward statehood. The Mission Era – 1769-1823 While the first 200 years of California’s written history are fairly blank and uneventful, the next 50 years are full of adventurous characters and new developments as the missions were established and the presidios and pueblos began to grow. This era is a great place to do a deep dive into California’s story; here are a few suggestions for study: Fr. Junipero Serra De Portola’s discovery of San Francisco Bay in 1770 Juan Manual de Ayala’s expedition in 1775 Yuma Revolt of 1781 – Put an end to overland travel to California for 40 years. Under Mexican Rule – 1821 to 1848 Frustrated with a lack of leadership and supplies from Spain, the people of New Spain declared their independence from Spanish rule in 1821. However, it took more than a year for the news to reach Alta California that it was now ruled by the Mexican Republic instead of by Spain. When ships from Spain stopped arriving, Californios (citizens of Mexican California) and missionaries struggled without supplies and guidance from their leaders in Mexico City who were learning to govern their new country. This lack of direction left the missions’ future uncertain. And, since the work of the missions was no longer a priority to the country’s leaders, the new government ordered Alta California to secularize the missions. Governor José Figueroa crafted a plan to return one-half of the mission land to the Native Californians, but his plan was never carried out. Instead, the vast holdings were portioned out as land grants to influential Californios. Our state’s history during the Mexican period is full of adventure stories and events that you could study all year long. Here are a few suggestions for exploring this era and learning how California was settled: Nikolai Rezanov and the establishment of Fort Ross California’s hide and tallow trade The Missouri Compromise of 1820 Jedidiah Strong Smith – the first American to arrive by overland route in 1827 Battle of Cahuenga Pass - 1831 “Captain” John Sutter and Sutter’s Fort First overland parties to arrive in California: John Fremont and the mountain men - 1846 Bartelson-Bidwell party - 1841 The Donner party - 1847 Secrecy and Diplomacy Trade with other nations had brought civilization to California, but it also brought political unrest, especially since the country’s leaders were far away in Mexico City. Californios desired democratic reforms in government, while leaders in America were ready to annex this territory that was so rich in goods to trade and land for westward growth. In 1844, the U.S. secretly appointed Thomas Larkin, a merchant in Monterey, to encourage the Californios to side with America, should California declare its independence from Mexico. Knowing war with Mexico might soon break out, they also sent Captain John Frémont and a small army to California under the guise of a surveying expedition, hoping to claim the territory before other countries could. Meanwhile the ideas of independence and self-governance began to spread, and many citizens were open to annexation by the U.S. as long as they could choose to be a free state (not subject to the laws of slavery in the rest of America) and to keep their customs, religion, and land titles. This determination for independence soon led to a revolt that marked the beginning of a new chapter in California’s journey toward statehood—one we’ll uncover next month. In the meantime, here are a few ideas for further study: Make a salt dough map of California. Be sure to include its major mountain ranges, bays, rivers, and deserts. Explore mapmaking, navigation, and life at sea in the 1600s and 1700s. Create a map of California’s missions showing the missions in the order they were established. Study the Louisiana Purchase & Lewis & Clark’s expedition to the Pacific Northwest. Visit Fort Ross. Read about William Ashley’s Rendezvous, and the life and travels of Jedidiah Strong Smith. Do a unit study on prairie schooners, family forts, or overland travel by wagon train. Discover when and where gold was first discovered in California. (Hint–it wasn’t at Sutter’s Fort.) Research and draw the flags of the many countries and republics that have claimed and/or ruled California. Find geography and California history curriculum recommendations in Part 1 of this series, California History at Home: Discovering the Land, here. ________________________________ Cathie Berglund is the Exhibits Coordinator for CHEA. She and her husband homeschooled their two, now grown, children through high school. Cathie's homeschooling years sparked a love for the study of God’s Word, for reading and teaching literature, and for encouraging families in their own homeschool journeys.
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