Below is a list of the governors of early California (1769–1850), before its admission as the 31st U.S. state. First explored by , with colonies established at San Diego and Monterey, Las Californias was a remote, sparsely settled Spanish province of the viceroyalty of New Spain. In 1822, following Mexican independence, California became part of Mexico.
In 1836, a coup led by and eventually resulted in Alvarado becoming governor. That conflict ended in 1838, when the central government of Mexico recognized Alvarado as governor
Another disputed governorship occurred in 1844, settled when another Californio, Pio Pico, became the last Governor of Mexican California. In 1846, the "Bear Flag Revolt" in Sonoma declared California an independent republic—the "Bear Flag Republic". No government was formed, however, and the revolt did not have time to spread very far because California came under U.S. military occupation at the outset of the Mexican–American War less than a month later. California was ceded to the U.S. in 1848, and was admitted as the 31st U.S. state on September 9, 1850. Peter Burnett, the last governor of the post-war military territory, became its first state governor after admission.
Spanish rule (1769–1822) The Spanish Empire established its rule in the Californias in 1769. During this time, the province of Las Californias encompassed a massive territorial expanse, including both Alta California (present day U.S. state of California) and Baja California (present day Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur), which were governed under a military administration led by the Governor of Las Californias. In 1804, Las Californias were officially divided into two administrations: Alta California, based in Monterey, and Baja California, based in Loreto.
Spanish governors of Las Californias (1769–1804) From 1769 to 1804, Las Californias were governed as one administrative unit within the Spanish Empire, the province of Las Californias. Following 1804, Alta California and Baja California each had their own administration. No.PortraitGovernorTook officeLeft officeNotes 1st Gaspar de Portolá (1716–1786) 1767 1770 Led the Portolá expedition Founded Monterey 2nd Felipe de Barri (1700s–1784) 1770 1774 While Barri officially served as Governor of Las Californias, Fages maintained effective military control over Alta California, taking advantage of Barri's government being based in Baja California. Acting Pedro Fages (1734–1794) 1770 1774 While Barri officially served as Governor of Las Californias, Fages maintained effective military control over Alta California. Fages effectively stepped down as acting governor in 1774, at the request of Junípero Serra 3rd Fernando Rivera y Moncada (1725–1781) 1774 1777Founded San Francisco 4th Felipe de Neve (1724–1784) 1777 1782 Founded Los Angeles Founded San Jose 5th Pedro Fages (1734–1794) 1782 1791 Fages previously served as the acting military governor of Alta California from 1770 to 1774, during Barri's tenure, prior to officially serving as Governor of Las Californias 6th José Antonio Roméu (1734–1792) 1791 1792 Roméu died soon after his appointment, prior to officially ending his tenure of office. Interim José Joaquín de Arrillaga (1750–1814) 1792 1794 Arrillaga was designated as interim governor following the death of Roméu in 1792, until the appointment of Borica in 1794. 7th Diego de Borica (1742–1800) 1794 1800 Founded Branciforte Interim Pedro de Alberní y Teixidor (1742–1800) 1800 1800 Alberní served as interim governor following Borica's resignation and prior to Arrillaga's appointment. 8th José Joaquín de Arrillaga (1750–1814) 1800 1804 Arrillaga was served as Governor of Las Californias until 1804, when Las Californias were administratively divided into Alta California and Baja California. Arrillaga subsequently served as Governor of Alta California until his death in 1814.
Spanish governors of Alta California (1804–1822) Following the division of the province of Las Californias in 1804, Alta California came to have its own administration. José Joaquín de Arrillaga, who had served as Governor of Las Californias until 1804 subsequently served as the first governor of Alta California. No.PortraitGovernorTook officeLeft officeNotes 1st José Joaquín de Arrillaga (1750–1814) 1804 1814 Arrillaga was served as Governor of Las Californias until 1804, when Las Californias were administratively divided into Alta California and Baja California. Arrillaga subsequently served as Governor of Alta California until his death in 1814. Interim José Darío Argüello (1753–1828) 1814 1815 Argüello was served as interim governor following the death of Arrillaga and prior to the appointment of Solá. 2nd Pablo Vicente de Solá (1753–1828) 1815 1822 Solá successfully oversaw the transition of Alta California from Spanish rule to newly independent Mexico.
Mexican rule (1822–1846) Following the Mexican War of Independence, both of the Californias were again split by the newly independent Mexico. Direct rule from Mexico City over Alta California was briefly challenged from November 1836 to July 1837 by a regional revolt led by Juan Bautista Alvarado, who was acclaimed Governor of the Free and Sovereign State of Alta California. While the movement initially used federalist rhetoric to demand local autonomy for Californios, it collapsed due to intense internal opposition from loyalist southern California factions. To preserve his political standing, Alvarado abandoned the rebellion by formally swearing allegiance to Mexico’s new centralist constitution, the Siete Leyes. Recognizing his submission, the central Mexican government officially appointed Alvarado as the constitutional Governor of the newly organized department comprising both Californias in 1838, thereby maintaining Mexican sovereignty over the region until 1846.
Mexican governors of Alta California (1822–1836) No.PortraitGovernorTook officeLeft officeNotes 3rd Luis Antonio Argüello (1784–1830) 1822 1825 First governor to be born in California 4th José María de Echeandía (1800s–1871) 1825 1831 Echeandía issued the Prevenciónes de Emancipacion (Proclamation of Emancipation) declaring all Native Californians freed from Californian mission system in 1826. 5th Manuel Victoria (1700s–1833) 1831 1832 Victoria's tenure as governor was unpopular and short-lived, owing to his anti-democratic reforms. His governorship ended following his defeat at the Battle of Cahuenga Pass in 1831, when Californios overthrew him. Interim José María de Echeandía (1800s–1871) 1832 1833 Echeandía served as interim governor following Victoria's defeat at the Battle of Cahuenga Pass, prior to the appointment of Figueroa in 1833. 6th José Figueroa (1792–1835) 1833 1835 Figueroa oversaw the secularization of the California missions. Interim José Castro (1808–1860) 1835 1836 Castro was nominated as interim governor after Figuroa resigned due to his worsening health. Interim Nicolás Gutiérrez (1700s–1800s) 1836 1836 Gutiérrez served as interim governor until the arrival of Chico. 7th Mariano Chico (1796–1850) 1836 1836 Chico was exiled after a popular uprising of Californios against his rule. Interim Nicolás Gutiérrez (1700s–1800s) 1836 1836Gutiérrez resumed his role as interim governor after Chico's exile from California. He was deposed at Monterey in early November 1836 by a pronunciamiento led by José Castro and Juan Bautista Alvarado.
Governor of the Free and Sovereign State Alta California (1836–1837) After the unpopular Mexico-appointed governors Mariano Chico and Nicolás Gutiérrez tried to enforce the centralist Siete Leyes, Juan Bautista Alvarado and José Castro, senior members of the Diputación de Alta California, deposed Gutiérrez at Monterey in early November 1836. On 7 November the diputación adopted the Plan of Monterey. Article 1 declared that Alta California would secede from Mexico if the federal system of 1824 was not restored. Article 2 declare the sitting diputación a constituent congress and erected Alta California as an Estado Libre y Soberano, the ordinary title of a Mexican federal state under the Constitution of 1824. Castro, as president of the diputación, briefly acted as executive. On 7 December 1836 Alvarado was named interim governor, to serve until a constitutional appointment.
No.PortraitGovernorTook officeLeft officeNotes 1st Juan Bautista Alvarado (1809–1882) 1836 1837Alvarado helped depose Gutiérrez in November 1836. The diputación’s Plan of Monterey made Alta California a Free and Sovereign State pending restoration of the Constitution of 1824. On 7 December 1836 Alvarado was named interim governor. Alvarado never held uncontested control of the department. Los Angeles and San Diego treated Monterey's actions as an act of northern force and insisted on remaining under the national government; On 9 July 1837, at Santa Barbara, Alvarado swore the Siete Leyes, dropped the free and sovereign state title, and styled himself interim governor of the Deparment of Alta California. Captain Andrés Castillero, acting for the central government, obtained Alvarado’s oath.
Mexican governors of Las Californias (1837–47) By July 1837 Alvarado had already sworn the Siete Leyes and claimed the department as interim governor. Independently, and before Mexico City knew of that oath, the ministry named Carlos Antonio Carrillo provisional governor on 6 June 1837, on the advice of his brother José Antonio that a native ruler would restore order without an expedition. The commission arrived in October. Carrillo took the oath at Los Angeles on 6 December 1837 and held the south. Norteños in support of Alvarado and Sureños in support of Carrillo clashed at San Buenaventura and at Las Flores. After Castillero reported the July submission, Mexico ordered Alvarado as the senior vocal of the reinstated diputación to act as governor, organize a junta and to sent a terna to Mexico city for the regular appointment.
No.PortraitGovernorTook officeLeft officeNotesInterim Juan Bautista Alvarado (1809–1882) 18371839Swore the Siete Leyes at Santa Barbara. Held the office as senior vocal of the restored diputación. Mexico, still unaware of the oath, named Carrillo on 6 June 1837. Iterim Carlos Antonio Carrillo (1783–1852) 1837 1837Appointed provisional governor on 6 June 1837, before Mexico knew Alvarado had sworn the Siete Leyes. The commission reached California in October. Carrillo took the oath at Los Angeles on 6 December 1837 and held the south. After Castillero’s report, the interior ministry directed on 20 July 1838 that the senior vocal of the diputación would exercise the governorship pending a regular appointment. The same dispatch that left Alvarado acting as senior vocal, authorized a preferential grant of one Channel Island to José Antonio and Carlos Carrillo “in consideration of their patriotic services" 8th Juan Bautista Alvarado (1809–1882) 1839 1842From 9 July 1837 Alvarado was interim governor as senior vocal of the restored diputación, Mexico confirmed him as such on 20 July 1838. The junta’s terna of 6 March 1839 listed Alvarado, José Castro, and Pío Pico. President Bustamante named him gobernador propietario on 7 August 1839; he took that oath on 24 November 1839 and served until 31 December 1842 9th Manuel Micheltorena (1804–1853) 1842 1845 Micheltorena was deposed as governor after his defeat at the Battle of Providencia 10th Pío Pico (1801–1894) 1845 1846 In the aftermath of the Battle of Providencia, Pico was acclaimed governor. Following the American Conquest of California, the administration of Alta California came under control of the U.S. Military Governor of California. Nominated José María Flores (1818–1866) 1846 1847 Flores was nominated as governor following the outbreak of the Mexican–American War and tasked with reclaiming Alta California for Mexico.