Which group inhabited the area before the establishment of European settlements in California?

The Ramaytush Ohlone people were among the indigenous groups that inhabited the San Francisco Peninsula and surrounding areas long before European settlers arrived in California. Their presence in the region can be traced back thousands of years, encompassing a rich cultural heritage that included complex social structures, traditional ecological knowledge, and a deep connection to the land.

European contact began in the late 18th century, which led to significant disruptions in the lives and cultures of Native American groups, including the Ramaytush Ohlone. The establishment of missions, colonization, and the eventual influx of settlers dramatically altered the social and ecological landscape of California.

The Californios are associated with the period of Spanish and Mexican rule in California but came much later than the time of the Ramaytush Ohlone's original inhabitance. The term "Okies" refers to migrant workers from Oklahoma during the Great Depression, and Japanese American volunteers pertain to military service during World War II, neither of which are connected to the pre-European settlement history in California. Thus, recognizing the Ramaytush Ohlone as the original inhabitants accurately reflects the state’s indigenous heritage and the early history of California.