If you said "C" Spain,
you are absolutely right!

On July 16, 1769, Padre Junípero Serra
founded the first mission, San Diego de Alcala.

Spain was trying to expand its empire into upper California before other nations, such as the British, the Russians, or the Americans took over California.

Spain had a plan where instead of killing and conquering, they would try to convert the native people. They would build Presidios (forts) where soldiers would be stationed to keep the Indians peaceful. They would also build missions, where their Catholic Padres would convert the Indians to the Catholic faith, while teaching them Spanish morals, values and customs. Then the native people would learn to become good Spanish citizens who would pay taxes to the Spanish Crown. Instead of being a conquered people, the natives would be colonized and "a part" of the Spanish empire.

So, in 1769, Padre Junípero Serra founded the first mission, San Diego de Alcala. Padre Serra would be the founder of the first nine California missions!