Who was the Spanish military leader responsible for establishing Spanish settlements in California starting in 1769?

The correct answer is Gaspar de Portolá because he played a pivotal role in the Spanish colonization of California by leading the first overland expedition to the region in 1769. This expedition aimed to establish military and missionary settlements along the California coast, marking the beginning of Spanish influence in the area. Portolá is particularly noted for founding San Diego and Monterey, which were among the first permanent European settlements in California.

In contrast, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo was an explorer who sailed along the California coast in the mid-1500s, well before the establishment of settlements by the Spanish. Johann Sutter, a Swiss pioneer, is famous for his association with the Gold Rush era, coming to California in the mid-1800s, much later than the establishment of the first settlements. Junípero Serra, while he is a key figure in the missionary efforts and is associated with the establishment of missions, did not lead the initial military expeditions to establish settlements. Rather, he worked closely with Portolá in the missions following the establishment of those settlements.