European Explorers

Christopher Columbus

Aug 2, 1492

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. When Christopher Columbus was young, he enjoyed learning about Marco Polo. Columbus thought he could find jewels and spices in the Indies by traveling west. Queen Isabella of Spain was the only royalty that would give him ships to help Columbus out. On August 2, 1492 Columbus and his crew started his voyage, and on October 12th, he spotted land. He thought he landed in the Indies, but it was actually Florida. Columbus traveled to America

Juan Cabrillo

Jun 24, 1542

It is unknown when Juan Cabrillo was born,but he served in the army with famous conquistador Hernan Cortes in 1519. Cabrillo was an importer/exporter with Spain who wanted to help increase Spain’s power. In 1542 Cabrillo led the first European expedition to what is now the west coast of the United States. Cabrillo found an area he named San Miguel which is now called San Diego. Cabrillo visited many “islands” along the coast of California. Santa Cruz, Catalina, and San Clemente were some

Sir Francis Drake

Dec 13, 1577

Sir Francis Drake was British and born in the 16th century. Drake was very young when he worked on a ship that traveled back and forth across the English Channel. He became so good at seafaring, (traveling by sea) that Queen Elizabeth told him to sail to the Americas. He did it 1572. This ship was called The Golden Hind, he sailed the Pacific Coast and reached the coast of California. He called the area he landed on New Albion.

Sebastian Cermeno

Jul 5, 1595

Sebastian Cermeno was born in Portugal in the late1500’s. He was an adventurer and a navigator. Cermeno’s mission from Spain was to find a safe harbor along the coast of northern California. Cermeno left Manilla in 1595 with a couple ships. The trip was very rough, but they landed in a place called La Baya de San Francisco, (This is not the San Francisco near San Jose) now known as Drakes Bay. Cermeno was responsible for making the best charting of the California coast.

Sebastian Vizcaino

May 5, 1602

Sebastian Vizcaino was born in Extremadura, Spain. He was a trader. In 1596, he was looking for pearls on his way from Acapulco. During one part of this expedition, he named the small port of La Paz in Baha, California. In 1601 the Spanish Viceroy asked Vizcaino to be in charge of an expedition to find a safe harbor in Alta California. On December 13, 1602 Vizcaino entered what he called “the finest bay on the coast of California.” He called it Monterey.

Father Eusebio Francisco Kino

Jun 1, 1687

Sebastian Vizcaino was born in Extremadura, Spain. He was a trader. In 1596, he was looking for pearls on his way from Acapulco. During one part of this expedition, he named the small port of La Paz in Baha, California. In 1601 the Spanish Viceroy asked Vizcaino to be in charge of an expedition to find a safe harbor in Alta California. On December 13, 1602 Vizcaino entered what he called “the finest bay on the coast of California.” He called it Monterey.

Gaspar de Portola

Jan 23, 1767

Gaspar de Portola was born in 1716. He was a soldier in the Spanish army. He served as governor of Baja and Alta California. He was an explorer and founder of San Diego and Monterey. He died in 1784.

Father Juan Crespi

Mar 24, 1769

Father Juan Crespi was born in 1721. He arrived in the Americas in 1749. Crespi was eager to bring Catholic faith to the boundaries of the Spanish empire. He found assignments in Baja California. He also went from
Baja to Alta California. Father Crespi was present at te founding of Mission San Diego. Although not a true explorer, he did travel with them. Father Crespi died in 1782.

Father Junipero Serra

Jul 16, 1769

Father Junipero Serra was born in 1713 on the Spanish island of Majorca. In 1730 he took a vow to become a priest. In 1749 the Franciscan’s assigned Father Serra to Mexico City in New Spain. In 1769 Father Serra was asked to establish a series of missions in Alta California. In July of 1769 while traveling from Santa Maria Mission in Baja, California, he established the first of the many missions in California. Father Serra was later named President of nine missions.

Juan Bautista De Anza

Mar 22, 1776

Juan Bautista de Anza was a Spanish explorer born in 1735 who opened the route from Mexico to California and established the first settlement at San Francisco. de Anza’s father was a commander, and his father submitted a plan for opening the same route his son did later. The young de Anza volunteered to open a route from Sonora. In 1774 Anza traveled to the Colorado River.