1768 King Carlos III saw Russia and England as threats to Spain's claim on Alta California. Organized-through Visitador-General José de Gálvez in Mexico-troops and missionaries to colonize the new territory.

1769 Commander Don Gaspar de Portolá, Sergeant José Francisco de Ortega, and Fray Junípero Serra (a Franciscan missionary from Mallorca who had been named presidente of the Alta California missions) departed with troops and supplies for San Diego from Velicatá, Baja California May 13. Two ships had also been dispatched (January 9 and February 15) and one additional expedition by land-headed by General Rivera y Moncada (March 24). Portolá, Ortega, Serra and company reached San Diego-the last to arrive-July 1.

July 16, 1769 Alta California's first mission-San Diego de Alcalá-founded byFr. Junípero Serra at San Diego.

June 3, 1770 Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo founded by Fr. Serra.

July 14, 1771 Mission San Antonio de Padua founded by Fr. Serra.

September 8, 1771 Mission San Gabriel Arcángel founded by Frays Pedro Cambón and Ángel Somera.

September 1, 1772 Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa founded by Fr. Serra.

June 29, 1776
Mission San Francisco de Asís founded by Fray Francisco Palóu.

November 1, 1776
Mission San Juan Capistrano founded by Fr. Serra.

January 12, 1777
Mission Santa Clara de Asís founded by Fray Tomás de la Peña.

March 31, 1782
Mission San Buenaventura founded by Fr. Serra.

August 28, 1784
Fray Junípero Serra died at the age of 70 at Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo and was entombed at the mission. Fr. Francisco Palóu named temporary presidente of the missions.

February 1785
Fray Fermín Francisco de Lasuén appointed presidente of the Alta California missions.

December 4, 1786
Mission Santa Barbara, Virgen y Mártir founded by Fr. Lasuén.

December 8, 1787
Mission La Purísima Concepción de Maria Santísima founded by Fr. Lasuén.

August 28, 1791
Mission Santa Cruz founded by Fr. Lasuén.

October 9, 1791
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad founded by Fr. Lasuén.

June 11, 1797
Mission San José founded by Fr. Lasuén.

June 24, 1797
Mission San Juan Bautista founded by Fr. Lasuén.

July 25, 1797
Mission San Miguel Arcángel founded by Fr. Lasuén.

September 8, 1797
Mission San Fernando, Rey de España founded by Fr. Lasuén.

June 13, 1798
Mission San Luis, Rey de Francia founded by Fr. Lasuén.