Human history in California began when indigenous Americans first arrived c. 11,000 BC. Coastal exploration by the Spanish began in the 16th century, with further European settlement along the coast a
Native American shell fish hook from California. Auckland Museum
National Historic Landmark commemorating Sir Francis Drake, Sebastian Rodriguez Cermeño, and Coast Miwok people at Point Reyes, California
A portrait of Junípero Serra
General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo reviewing his troops in Sonoma, 1846.
After 1900, California continued to grow rapidly and soon became an agricultural and industrial power. The economy was widely based on specialty agriculture, oil, tourism, shipping, film, and after 19
History of California before 1900
…History of California History of California (1900–present) List of governors of California before 1850…
Stockton Street from Union Square, looking toward Market Street.
Arnold Genthe's famous photograph, looking toward the fire on Sacramento Street.
The intensity of the earthquake.
Postcard view of oil fields c.1940s.