Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In 1542, Cabrillo described the California coastline aptly: “There are mountains which
seem to reach the heavens and the sea beats on them.”
In 1769, Gaspar de Portolá led an inland expedition north from Baja California
near present-day San Diego. When the expedition reached the daunting coastal cliffs
near Ragged Point, it turned inland. Protected by its sheer topography, Big Sur was
left unexplored. After Portolá reached the San Francisco Bay, the expedition returned
south, bypassing entirely Monterey, Carmel, and environs. Although disheartened,
Portolá persevered and planned another trip.
In 1770, Portolá departed on another land expedition accompanied by Father
Junipero Serra, who sailed north with the intent to establish Catholic outposts in the
unknown territory. Serra established Mission San Carlos at present-day Carmel River
State Beach and two other missions east of the Santa Lucia Range in the San Antonio
River Valley and at Soledad in the Salinas Valley. Again, Big Sur was left unexplored.
The missionaries' arrival drastically altered native life in the Big Sur region. The
newcomers claimed the land and brought Ohlone, Esselen, and Salinian natives into
the missions. Some welcomed the priests, while others were lured by exotic gifts of
glass beads, colored fabric, metal tools, and livestock. Forced conversion and de facto
enslavement was not mission policy prior to 1800, but when natives resisted, more
