Explorers

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo (1497-1543)

Cabrillo was a Portuguese-born explorer who sailed under the Spanish flag during the Age of Exploration. Best known for leading the first European expedition along the western coast of present-day California, Cabrillo played a key role in expanding Spain’s knowledge of the Pacific coastline. Before his voyages, he participated in the Spanish conquest of Central America, where he gained wealth and status.

In 1542, Cabrillo set sail from Mexico with three ships, exploring and mapping parts of the California coast, including present-day San Diego Bay, which he named San Miguel. His expedition marked the first documented European contact with many Indigenous peoples of the region. Cabrillo died in early 1543, likely from complications related to an injury sustained during the journey, but his expedition continued under his second-in-command, contributing valuable information about the Pacific coast for future explorers.

Don Gaspár de Portolá (1723-1784)

An experienced and able military leader, Don Gaspár de Portolá served as Governor of Baja and Alta California from 1768-1770. He organized the first land expedition to explore Alta California, and personally led the parties that settled San Diego and Monterey.

Juan Bautista de Anza (1736–1788)

De Anza was a Spanish explorer, soldier, and colonial administrator known for his expeditions in Alta California. Born in Fronteras, Sonora (in present-day Mexico), he joined the Spanish army as a young man and rose to the rank of captain. In 1774, Anza led the first overland expedition from Sonora to Alta California, opening a vital route between New Spain and the Pacific coast. His second expedition in 1775–1776 brought settlers to establish the mission and presidio in San Francisco, helping lay the foundation for Spanish presence in northern California. Later, he served as governor of New Mexico (1778–1787), promoting trade and diplomacy with Native American tribes. Anza’s efforts greatly expanded Spanish influence in the western frontier of North America.

Mission Leaders

Saint Junípero Serra (1713-1784)

Often called the “father of the California Missions,” Junípero Serra did more than any other man to advance the Catholic church and beliefs in California. He was an indefatigable explorer, organizer and administrator.  In 1769, José de Gálvez (Visitador General of New Spain) chartered Serra with establishing the mission system in Alta California, and named him its first president, Padre Presidente de las Misiones de la Alta California (Father President of the Missions of Alta California).

Pope John Paul II beatified Serra (made him a candidate for sainthood) in 1988. Pope Francis canonized him in 2015. Both Spain and the United States have honored Serra with postage stamps bearing his likeness.

Serra undoubtedly had a major impact on the settlement of California, but he has also been criticized for the abuse of the California Indians, and the destruction of their culture. In his writings, he sometimes justified the beating of Indians employed by the missions, as children who needed correction.  However, more frequently he stood up for the Indians against ranchers and civil authorities who were attempting to enslave them.

In an interesting historical note, Serra took up collections among his parishes to support the American Revolution, and sent the funds to General George Washington.

Serra’s remains are interred at Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo.

Junípero Serra Founded:
#	Mission	Date	Location
*	San Fernando Rey de España de Velicatá	1769	Rancho Velicatá
1	San Diego de Alcalá	1769	San Diego
2	San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo	1770	Carmel
3	San Antonio de Padua	1771	Jolon (Ft. Hunter-Liggett)
5	San Luis Obispo de Tolosa	1772	San Luis Obispo
7	San Juan Capistrano	1776	San Juan Capistrano
8	Santa Clara de Asís	1777	Santa Clara
9	San Buenaventura	1782	Ventura

* San Fernando Rey de España de Velicatá was a mission founded by Fr. Serra in Baja California, before he was chartered with creating the mission system in Alta California.

Pedro Cambón (1726-1797)

Father Cambón was born in Spain, and became a Franciscan friar.  He was part of the early missionary group by the Spanish Crown to help establish and manage missions in Alta California (modern-day U.S. state of California).  He is known for his efforts to convert and educate indigenous people.  Together with Father Ángel Somera, he founded Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, which became one of the most successful, prosperous, and influential missions.

Ángel Somera

Little is know about Father Somera.  Along with  Pedro Cambón, he was tasked with teaching European agricultural techniques, Spanish language, and Christian doctrine as part of Spain’s broader colonization policy.

Pedro Cambón and Angel Somera Founded:
#	Mission	Date	Location
4	San Gabriel Arcángel	1771	San Gabriel

Francisco Palóu (1723–1789)

Palóu was a close associate of Junípero Serra, and wrote a biography of his life, as well as two books about the history of the missions.

Following Serra’s death, Palóu was named temporary president of the California mission system, until he was succeeded by Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén.

Francisco Palóu Founded:
#	Mission	Date	Location
6	San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores)	1776	San Francisco

Fermín Francisco de Lasuén (1736-1803)

An able successor to Junípero Serra, Lasuén doubled the number of missions, and more than doubled the number of converts. He also greatly increased the productivity and wealth of the missions by emphasizing the development of mission farms, herds, and industries.

He is credited with introducing the adobe wall and tile roof architecture commonly associated with the California missions.

Fermín Francisco de Lasuén Founded:
#	Mission	Date	Location
10	Santa Barbara	1786	Santa Barbara
11	La Purísima Concepción	1787	Lompoc
12	Santa Cruz	1791	Santa Cruz
13	Nuestra Señora de la Soledad	1791	Soledad
14	San José	1797	Fremont
15	San Juan Bautista	1797	San Juan Bautista
16	San Miguel Arcángel	1797	San Miguel
17	San Fernando Rey de España	1797	Mission Hills
18	San Luis Rey de Francia	1798	San Luis Rey

Pedro Estévan Tápis (1754-1825)

When Fermín Francisco de Lasuén died in 1803, Tápis became acting head of the California Mission system. He was subsequently re-elected to the position three times, and served until 1812.

He retired to San Juan Bautista, where he taught singing to the Indians. Among his other accomplishments, he developed a color-coded system of musical notation which could be easily taught to novices.

Pedro Estévan Tápis Founded:
#	Mission	Date	Location
19	Santa Inés	1804	Solvang

Vicente Francisco de Sarría (1767-1835)

Sarría was noted for baptizing John Gilroy, who arrived at Monterey in 1814, and was the first foreigner to settle in the Spanish territory of Alta California.

Father Sarría headed the California Mission system from 1823 to 1825.

Where he was unable to find a priest for Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, he assumed the position himself. He is said to have died at the altar.

His body is interred at Mission San Antonio de Padua.

Vicente Francisco de Sarría Founded:
#	Mission	Date	Location
20	San Rafael Arcángel	1817	San Rafael

José Altimira

Altamira was an ambitious man; he founded Mission San Francisco de Solano at Sonoma without church authorization, and led the first expedition to Napa Valley.

However, he was a harsh and cruel leader. His abuse of the Indian novices led to a revolt, and Father Altimira fled to Mission San Rafael Arcángel. He returned in disgrace to Spain in 1828.

José Altimira Founded:
#	Mission	Date	Location
21	San Francisco de Solano	1823	Sonoma