HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



201 



the thermometer falls from 95 to 55, and such a 

 change must have an injurious effect, if additional 

 clothing is not put on to meet it. 



The first portion of Upper California, or the 

 "Golden Land," which presents itself to the voy 

 agers, is the Ceronados, two high, round-topped rocks 

 off the port of San Diego. Then the beautiful, semi 

 circular harbor is entered, and if wanting, supplies 

 are obtained from the town. From the harbor of San 

 Diego, the vessel proceeds along the coast of Califor 

 nia, and the towering peaks of the coast range of 

 mountains, engage the attention. The high pro 

 montory of St. Vincent is passed, and then the open 

 bay of Monterey is entered, and passengers are either 

 let off the steamer or taken aboard as necessity may 

 occasion. From Monterey the steamer keeps along 

 the coast, and mountainous shores alone meet the 

 view, until tho voyagers come in sight of the Faral- 

 lones, two large detached rocks at the southern side 

 of the entrance to the bay of San Francisco. Then 

 the Golden Gate, as the strait or entrance is called, is 

 entered by the steamer, and the perpendicular cliffs 

 and hills upon each shore afford matter for wonder. 

 The strait is about three miles long, and from one to 

 two miles broad. As the vessel reaches its terminus, 

 the great bay of San Francisco opens to the view, 

 looking like a miniature ocean. Bird Island, Wood 

 Island, Angel Island, with the beautiful little bay of 

 Sancelito, successively meet the gaze, and very soon 

 the steamer is anchored, having reached her destina 

 tion. Such is the Isthmus route to the "gold re 

 gion." It is the shortest route, or the one which oc 

 cupies the least time in traversing, presents great 



