How did C alifornia become?

California became a state through a combination of exploration, colonization, and the Gold Rush. Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, and missions were established by the 18th century, leading to Spanish and later Mexican control. After the U.S. seized California during the Mexican-American War, the discovery of gold in 1848 led to a massive influx of settlers. California was admitted to the Union as the 31st state on September 9, 1850, as part of the Compromise of 1850.