Who were the original californios?

Answer 1

The original Californios were descendants born in California from the first Spanish and Mexican settlers. This was before the treaty by which California was ceded to the USA.

Answer 2

The original Californios were Spanish-speaking settlers of Spanish or Mexican descent who lived in California before it became a part of the United States. They were typically of elite or wealthy families and held political and economic power in the region during the Spanish and Mexican periods of California's history.