The Portola Expedition: A Narrative Analysis

In the late 1760s, Spain and other European countries realized the importance of the Pacific Coast would have on maritime trade. Spain took initiative and financed the Portola expedition to explore present day California on July 14, 1769. On July 14, 1769, the Portola expedition financed by Spain set out to become the first recorded European exploration of present day California. Portola's exploration of the Bay Area bolstered the Spanish and drove out other competitors from gaining a foothold in America. The Portola expedition's failure to discover Monterey Bay led to further exploration of California, encounter with Native Americans and new, unfamiliar territories in the Bay Area, and the exchange of religious and cultural ideas with Native

The Native Americans were originally suspicious of the foreigners but gradually tolerated the foreigners. "The Indians in the neighborhood, warned of our coming, came out to meet us, so confident, it seemed, and certain our friendship that they brought all their women." ("Diary of the Portola Expedition" 5) The natives walked straight into their camp and offered sardines. Portola's party accepted the sardines and reciprocated with glass beads and clothing. Most tribes in the region were very friendly and welcomed the foreigners. The friendliness of the large native population, sheltered valley, and vast amount of resources led Portola to consider the area as a perfect site for a mission. The Native Americans were fascinated by the foreigners, especially with the strings of glass beads presented by the foreigners. In return for Portola's gesture of good faith toward the Native Americans by distributed beads and clothing, the natives accompanied the expedition and scouted/opened up new passages for the party to go through. What seemed complex and unfamiliar, unchartered wilderness to the explorers was known and friendly land with elaborate networks of trails. As is the case of other European explorers, Portola and his crew were preceded by knowledgeable natives who followed friendly and familiar trails and