Spanish exploration voyages

The first European to explore the California coast was Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, sailing for Spain in 1542. His ships reached what is now San Diego Bay, then continued north along the coast before Cabrillo died from an injury during the voyage. Decades later, in 1579, the English sea captain Sir Francis Drake landed near what is now Point Reyes, north of San Francisco, and claimed the land for England, calling it Nova Albion -- a reminder that Spain was not the only country interested in this coast. In 1602, another Spanish explorer, Sebastian Vizcaino, mapped the coastline in more detail and gave lasting names to places including Monterey and San Diego.

Here is the surprising part: after Cabrillo's 1542 voyage, more than two hundred years passed before Spain built any permanent settlement in California. Spain's attention and resources were focused elsewhere in its huge empire, and this distant coastline did not feel urgent -- until other powers, including Russian fur traders moving down from the north and England's continued interest, made Spain worry about losing its claim. That worry is exactly what finally pushed Spain to act, starting the mission era you will study next.