At the very beginning of the Spanish occupation of Alta California and until 1777, the governors were military commanders. Until 1804, governors were in charge of overseeing the province of Las Californias, both Baja and Alta California.
Pablo Vicente de Solá was the only governor to serve under both Spain and Mexico. When news of Mexican independence reached Alta California, Solá swore allegiance to the new government and remained on as governor until ceding power to Luis Antonio Argüello, the first governor appointed under Mexico.
Spanish Governors of Alta California
- 1768 – 1770: Gaspar de Portolá
- 1770 – 1774: Pedro Fages
- 1774 – 1777: Fernando Rivera y Moncada
- 1777 – 1782: Felipe de Neve
- 1782 – 1791: Pedro Fages
- 1791 – 1792: José Antonio Roméu
- 1792 – 1794: José Joaquín de Arrillaga
- 1794 – 1800: Diego de Borica
- 1800 – 1800: Pedro de Alberni
- 1800 – 1814: José Joaquín de Arrillaga
- 1814 – 1815: José Argüello
- 1815 – 1821: Pablo Vicente de Solá — last Spanish governor
Mexican Governors of Alta California
- 1815 – 1821: Pablo Vicente de Solá — first Mexican governor
- 1822 – 1825: Luis Antonio Argüello
- 1825 – 1831: José María de Echeandía
- 1831 – 1832: Manuel Victoria
- 1832 – 1833: Pío Pico, José María de Echeandía (in the south), Agustín Vicente Zamorano (in the north)
- 1833 – 1835: José Figueroa
- 1835 -1836: José Castro (acting)
- January 2 – May 3, 1836: Nicolás Gutiérrez (acting)
- May 3 – July 31, 1836: Mariano Chico
- August 1 – November 5, 1836: Nicolás Gutiérrez (acting)
- 1836 – 1842: Juan Bautista Alvarado
- 1842 – 1845: Manuel Micheltorena
- 1845 -1846: Pío Pico (south), José Castro (north)
