Historical Profile: Don Gaspar de Portolá
Monterey, CA. – Don Gaspar de Portolá (1716 – 1786) was a soldier and explorer from Spain. He led expeditions in the 1760’s & 1770’s in what is now modern-day California. During one of his expeditions to California, Portolá’s sailing crew became the first known Europeans to view and record San Francisco Bay. Portolá’s travels along the California coastline led to the establishments of San Diego and Monterey. In Monterey, there is a monument dedicated to Gaspar de Portolá. The monument reads: “Captain Don Gaspar de Portolá of the Army of King Carlos III of Spain. First Governor of California, 1768 — 1770. With Father Junipero Serra founded Monterey on June 3, 1770. Donated by H.M. King Juan Carlos I of Spain to the city of Monterey on the Bicentennial of the United States of America. Fausto Blazquez – Sculptor. Rededicated by H.M. King Juan Carlos I of Spain. October 3, 1987.” Don Gaspar de Portolá