California's Spanish-Mexican Roots

Join historian Damian Bacich as he shares the story of the Californios: the individuals and families that formed California's unique culture, from early Spanish explorations to the era of the ranchos and beyond.

The first families that settled Alta California in the 18th century came with a thirst to start a new and better life for themselves and their children. In time, soldiers, settlers, and their descendants developed a unique connection to the land of Alta California, and a culture defined by hospitality, family, and self-reliance. They came to call themselves Californios, or hijos del país (sons of the land).

Californio families shaped the social and economic life of Alta California. Their influence was evident in landownership, local leadership, religion, language, and community traditions, and by the mid-19th century, they were not outsiders - but the established society of the region.

The Mexican-American War beginning in 1846 and California's statehood in 1850 brought dramatic change. As thousands of Americans flooded into the state, Californios found themselves pushed to the margins culturally, linguistically, and economically. Land disputes, legal battles, and real estate speculation stripped many families of their property and power.

And yet, their legacy endured.

Even as their political influence faded, Californio families left an important mark on California’s identity. Their names live on in our cities, streets, and landmarks. In Santa Barbara, their stories are woven into the fabric of daily life—visible in our architecture, echoed in our community celebrations, and preserved in family histories passed down through generations. To understand Santa Barbara is to understand its Spanish-Mexican roots.

Images from the Museum's Gledhill Library

About the Speaker

Dr. Damian Bacich is a fourth-generation Californian and Professor of Spanish and Ibero-American Studies at San José State University, as well as the host of the California Frontier Podcast. He received a B.A. in History from the University of San Francisco and a Ph.D. in Hispanic Languages and Literatures from UCLA.

He currently teaches courses on Spanish and Mexican California, Colonial Latin American literature and culture, and translation at San José State University. In addition to his academic career, Bacich is the founder of , an online resource of California history articles, podcast episodes, and curriculum that is used by thousands of teachers, parents, and students, and history lovers alike.

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