Indigenous Peoples of California

Historical Background
A number of tribes have resided in California, some centered around the Spanish missions there. Others had no connection to those missions. The Spanish missions were the first effort at encouraging good relationships between the natives and the Caucasian settlers. Efforts were made to teach the Indians about farming methods, the Catholic religion, and other matters.

Old Spanish Missions of California, with dates of their founding
La Purisima Concepcion -- 1787

Nuestra Senora de la Soledad -- 1791

San Antonio de Padua -- 1771

San Buenaventura -- 1782

San Carlos Borromeo de Monterey -- 1770

San Diego de Alcala -- 1769

San Fernando Rey -- 1797

San Francisco de Asis (Dolores) -- 1776

San Francisco Solaro (San Solano or Sonoma) -- 1823

San Gabriel Arcangel -- 1771

San Jose -- 1797

San Juan Bautista -- 1797

San Luis Obispo de Tolosa -- 1772

San Luis Rey de Fancia -- 1798

San Juan Capistrano -- 1776

San Miguel -- 1797

San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuner -- 1780

San Rafael -- 1817

Santa Barbara -- 1786

Santa Clara -- 1777

Santa Cruz -- 1791

Santa Ines -- 1804

Indian Reservations
In the 19th Century, some of the Indian tribes in California were brought under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and were placed on reservations. As identified in the National Atlas of the United States of America, the following reservations named in bold are current federally-recognized reservations located wholly or partially in California:

Chemehuevi Reservation --

Colorado River Reservation --

Fort Bidwell Reservation --

Fort Mojave Reservation --

Fort Yuma Reservation --

Hoopa Valley Reservation --

Hopland Reservation --

Morongo Reservation --

Round Valley Reservation --

Tule River Reservation --

Yurok Reservation --