January 8 Exploration in 1774 Juan Bautista de Anza began his first expedition from Mexico to explore Alta California. He traveled with 3 padres, 20 soldiers, 11 servants, 35 mules, 65 cattle and 140 horses. Overland Journeys in 1847 Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Mrs. Reid & company came back […]