Vizcaino and his men also bestowed a name on the area. So impressed was the commander of this 17th century exploration, and so sure that he had found a suitable harbor for the ships of the Pacific-circling Manila trade, that he honored the man responsible for his journey by naming the discovery after him. Because the Count de Monte Rey (the Viceroy of New Spain) sent Vizcaino on his coastal survey voyage, this beautiful bay and the site of Alta (Upper) California's future capital city became known as Monterey.
Unfortunately for Vizcaino, plans to build a harbor community on the shore of Monterey Bay were not acted upon for nearly 168 years. During the latter stages of this time, Russian fur hunters in search of sea otters made their way down the rugged Pacific Coast. Manila galleon captains observed the Russians and reported to Spanish officials, who decided that something must be done to show the Russians that Alta California was a part of Spain's far-reaching empire. Plans were thus formulated to settle the ports of San Diego and Monterey and to build a series of mission-oriented outposts along the coast.
The members of an exploratory expedition led by Captain Don Caspar de Portola, Governor of Baja (Lower) California, reached the Monterey shore in September, 1769 after an arduous overland trek from San Diego. However, when they looked out upon the waters of Monterey Bay, they did not recognize it as the secure and safe harbor Vizcaino had described so enthusiastically. Portola continued to lead his men in a northerly direction, discovering the beautiful bay of San Francisco. Portola and his men then realized they had gone too far - Monterey Bay was behind them. Retracing their steps, the Portola party again failed to recognize Monterey Bay and made camp on the south shore of the peninsula near Carmel Bay. Here the wanderers rested for more than a week while sending out scouting parties. Though the bay was but a short hike from their camp, Portola and his men did not connect its rough and wind-blown waters with the sheltered harbor so generously described by Vizcaino.
They erected a cross on the shore accompanied by a message indicating their plight and their lack of success. They then began the long march back to San Diego.
There Portola discussed the findings and frustration of the land expedition with an anxious Father Junipero Serra, regional president of the Franciscan missions. After checking all facts and previous descriptions, they decided Monterey Bay had indeed been found. They agreed on a second try. Portola and a crew of soldiers set out once again for a march to Monterey Bay, with Father Serra to follow by sea.
Finally, on June 1, 1770, Serra, Portola and members of the two parties met on the shore
of the elusive bay. Serra founded Mission San Carlos Barromeo, the second of California's
21 coastal missions. Portola founded the Presidio of Monterey. Thus was born a
community destined to serve as Alta California's capital city for nearly three quarters of a
century. Since the founding took place in 1770, California's first capital city has the
distinction of being older than the country of which it is now a part.
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