In 1775, nearly 300 men, women, and children left hard lives in northern Mexico for the chance of a fresh start along the San Francisco Bay. Commander Juan Bautista de Anza led these hard working settlers for six months from the deserts and mountains of northern Mexico to Alta (upper) California, believing they could build the forts and communities that would sustain a new life on the Spanish frontier while also serving the needs of the Spanish Crown. Along the way, encounters with native communities and a few births provided welcome changes from the expedition’s daily hard work. On June 27, 1776, the families arrived in San Francisco and set in motion tremendous changes. Within a year, they had built a presidio (fort) and established small farms, and their children would raise families that transformed the West while preparing the way for new immigrants.