The early European explorers set out for what is now California. They had high hopes for the trip. They hoped to find the Northwest Passage. They hoped to find legendary cities filled with riches. At the very least, they hoped to find safe ports where their ships could anchor.
After facing great hardships, the explorers reached the California coast. But they did not find most of what they were looking for. They never found the cities of gold or the Strait of Anían. Their voyages were costly. Plus, many crew members died.
