Three Spanish Settlements in Alta California

Foundational Pueblos & Presidios

1. Monterey (1770) – Founded by Gaspar de Portolá as first capital of Alta California. Presidio & Mission San Carlos Borromeo. First permanent European settlement.
2. San Francisco (1776) – Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores) founded by Francisco Palóu (not Francisco de Asís). Presidio established same year. Became commercial hub.
3. Los Angeles (1781) – El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles founded by Felipe de Neve with 44 pobladores. Now 2nd largest U.S. city.

Significance

These three anchored Spanish/Mexican control of the coast, enabling mission chain, ranching, and later American takeover.