Answer:
Spain and Mexico claimed the area which is now California.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers, starting with Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542, began to explore and claim the western coast of North America, including the area that would later become the U.S. state of California. The Spanish established a series of missions, pueblos (towns), and presidios (forts) throughout the region, and these formed the basis for Spain's claim to California. The area was under Spanish control as part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain until 1821, when Mexico gained independence from Spain. California then became a part of Mexico until the U.S. acquired it through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, following the Mexican-American War.