The story of the Presidio didn't end with Spain or Mexico—it was only beginning. In the second half of my conversation with Rob Thomson, Federal Preservation Officer, and Kari Jones, archaeologist with the Presidio Trust, we explore the remarkable transformation of the Presidio of San Francisco from a remote Mexican frontier outpost into one of the most important military installations on the West Coast—and ultimately into one of America's most innovative national parks. We discuss how the U....

How did a lonely Spanish outpost become one of America's most remarkable historic places? In this episode, I sit down with Rob Thomson, Federal Preservation Officer, and Kari Jones, Chief Archaeologist with the Presidio Trust, to explore the fascinating history of the Presidio of San Francisco—from its founding by Spain in 1776 to its role as the northernmost military outpost in Alta California. Our conversation examines why the Spanish chose this strategic location, what daily life was like ...

In Part 2 of this conversation, Damian Bacich talks with wine historian Kevin Ferguson, descendant of the Gemello Winery family, about the dramatic rise of California wine, the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris, and the family stories that connect Silicon Valley, Napa Valley, and Italian immigrant winemakers. They also explore how Prohibition, entrepreneurship, and even Bank of America played unexpected roles in California's wine history. Whether you're interested in California his...

In the first part of my conversation with author Kevin Ferguson, we explore the rich history of California wine, tracing its roots from Italian immigrants through the challenges of Prohibition to the pivotal Judgment of Paris in 1976. Kevin delves into his family's legacy, highlighting how early 20th-century winemakers navigated legal loopholes and economic shifts to establish California as a leading wine region. This episode provides insights into the evolution of winemaking pra...

In part 2 of our interview, we explore the transformative period of US occupation and the subsequent transition to statehood, focusing on the California Constitution drafted in 1849 and ratified in 1850. Dr. Jones provides a deep dive into the cultural and social dynamics of the time, highlighting the contributions and challenges faced by these pioneering communities. We discuss the development of africancalifornios.org, a dedicated platform aimed at preserving and sharing this rich heritage....

Historian Cameron Jones joins Damian Bacich for a fascinating conversation about the overlooked African presence in early California. Drawing on mission records, census data, and genealogical research, Jones explores how people of African descent—many arriving from Mexico as soldiers, settlers, and ranchers—helped shape California during the Spanish and Mexican periods. The discussion traces the stories of prominent Californio families such as the Picos, the multicultural origins of Los Ange...

In the second half of this interview with Edie Littlefield Sundby (The Mission Walker), she explains why she extended the California Mission Trail beyond San Diego and retraced the original mission route from Loreto, Baja California, to the U.S. border in 2015, after her cancer returned and she was treated with radiation. Guided by Harry Crosby’s maps and aided by (previous guest) Trudi Angell and local vaqueros, she walked nearly 1,000 GPS miles through roadless desert sierras with pac...

Today's guest is Edie Littlefield Sundby, author of the memoir The Mission Walker, about becoming the first person to walk the full Camino Real of both Californias while living with stage four cancer. In Part 1, Edie recounts being initially denied treatment, finding aggressive care at Stanford, surviving extensive surgeries and chemotherapy, and using walking to purge toxicity and rebuild her body and spirit. She also describes her first mission journey, walking from San Diego t...

In 1769, Spain feared it was about to lose the Pacific coast. Russian traders were moving south from Alaska, British naval power was rising, and Spain had no permanent settlements north of Baja California. In response, imperial officials launched a land-and-sea operation known as the Sacred Expedition — a march that would found San Diego, search for the lost harbor of Monterey, and lead a small overland party to the first recorded European sighting of San Francisco Bay. The Portolá Expeditio...

In part two of this interview, Damian Bacich continues his conversation with David Kier, who shares stories from his travels to the Baja California missions and explains some of the legends people tell about “lost missions” and hidden treasures. David describes what the missions look like today—some are still standing and even used for church services, while others are in ruins because of weather and time. He also talks about other historians and writers who inspired his work and gives helpfu...