The Gaspar de Portolá expedition camped twice near this site during Spain’s initial colonial thrust into Alta California. Heading northward from San Diego in search of Monterey Bay, the exploration party at first did not recognize the bay and continued north. After turning east to look for a supply ship, they climbed Sweeney Ridge and on November 4, 1769, made the European discovery of San Francisco Bay. On November 5, they camped near here and traveled to San Francisquito Creek the next day. After some scouting, they reversed course to search once more for the elusive Monterey, and on November 12 they again camped near this site at “a small lake”.