Three Spanish explorers who visited the southern California region were Juan Cabrillo, Sebastian Vizcaino, and Gaspar de Portola. In the 1500s, the king of Spain sent explorers from Mexico to Baja and Alta, California, (most of today's California) looking for new wealth, gold, and a waterway to the Strait of Anian. Europeans thought that California was an island. Stories were told that the supposed Strait of Anian would connect the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. Students learn the reasons why the Spanish explored the coast of California, why the early settlers came to the area, and why people continue to come today. Suggested unit implementation time is 3 weeks. The content is specific to southern California. An asterisk in the text indicates where resources from other regional areas can be inserted. The lesson provides teacher background; lists focus questions; and presents additional information and student activities, dividing the topic into "Beginning the Topic"; "Developing the Topic"; and "Culminating the Topic." Assessment opportunities are embedded in the curriculum and occur throughout the unit, while focus questions provide a framework for the evaluation of the unit. Extended/correlated activities are suggested in the lesson. Contains resources for the sample topic. Appended are sample worksheets, as well as additional information sheets on various Spanish explorers and maps. (BT)