<P> It was not until 1769 that the first missions were established in today 's California ( then called Las Californias ) , including the first mission , at San Diego in 1769 , the mission at Monterey in 1770 , and the mission at San Francisco in 1776 . These missions eventually stretched from the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula to Sonoma , California , north of San Francisco . The purpose of the missions , which typically had an accompanying pueblo ( town ) and presidio ( military outpost ) , was to solidify the 250 - year - old Spanish claim to the region . This need became more urgent as the Russians and British were encroaching on the far northern part of the west coast of North America . In addition , there continued the long - standing interest in creating a safe anchorage for seaworn Manila Galleons on their return to Acapulco . </P>
<P> It was not until 1769 that the first missions were established in today 's California ( then called Las Californias ) , including the first mission , at San Diego in 1769 , the mission at Monterey in 1770 , and the mission at San Francisco in 1776 . These missions eventually stretched from the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula to Sonoma , California , north of San Francisco . The purpose of the missions , which typically had an accompanying pueblo ( town ) and presidio ( military outpost ) , was to solidify the 250 - year - old Spanish claim to the region . This need became more urgent as the Russians and British were encroaching on the far northern part of the west coast of North America . In addition , there continued the long - standing interest in creating a safe anchorage for seaworn Manila Galleons on their return to Acapulco . </P>
who founded missions on the west coast of america
who founded missions on the west coast of america
Spanish
Spanish