Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MOMENTS IN HISTORY
1. NATIVE AMERICANS
There were settlements in the Bay as early as the 11th century BC, made up of hunters
and gatherers who enjoyed a rich diet of seeds, shellfish, and game. Historians group
these peoples into the Coast Miwok, the Wintun, and the Ohlone.
2. SIR FRANCIS DRAKE
In 1579, the English privateer landed near Point Reyes and claimed Alta California for
Queen Elizabeth I. Along with other early explorers of the area, he failed to notice the
marvelous bay just inside the straits. England didn't follow up its claim to Northern
California, leaving it to the Spanish to conquer.
3. SPANISH CONTROL
About 200 years after Drake's wanderings, Spain got serious about establishing a
presence in Alta California. In 1776, an expedition led by Juan Bautista de Anza ar-
rived at San Francisco Bay and established the Presidio (fort). A mission was also
founded by Father Junipero Serra (for further details see
Mission Dolores
).
View photo
4. AMERICAN TAKEOVER
Impending war with Mexico in the 1840s inspired US leaders to arouse the interest of
Bay Area settlers in joining the Union. In 1846, a party of Yankees in Sonoma declared
California's independence from Mexico, christening it the Bear Flag Republic. Shortly
after, Commodore John Sloat claimed California as US territory.
5. GOLD RUSH DAYS
In 1848 landowner John Sutter noticed a curious glitter in the sediment of the Amer-
ican River in the Sierra Nevada foothills and realized it was gold. Despite attempts to
keep the discovery quiet, word leaked out, and businessman Sam Brannan displayed
a bottle of gold dust and nuggets for the whole city to see. The subsequent stampede
of '49ers turned the city into a boom town overnight.
