Unlike so many Spanish explorers whose
efforts ended in disgrace or death, Vizcaíno
continued to enjoy a distinguished career as
an explorer, international diplomat, military
leader, and merchant. In 1611 he was sent to
search the Pacific for Rica de Oro (Rich in
Gold) and Rica de Plata (Rich in Silver), two
nonexistent islands whose illusory wealth
consumed Spain’s energies in the same way
El Dorado and the Seven Cities of Cíbola had
earlier.
Despite Vizcaíno’s report, Spain’s rush to
find strategically safe ports in California sub-
sided quickly. San Francisco Bay, the greatest
port on the Pacific coast, remained undiscov-
ered by Europeans until 1769. No attempt was
made to settle Monterey until 1770, more than
167 years after Vizcaíno’s return. Thanks to the
efforts of Cabrillo, Ferrer, and Vizcaíno, how-
ever, later explorers and missionaries were not
venturing into the complete unknown when
they reached coastal California.Charting the Coast of California B 131