Gradually ethnic Spanish colonists moved into the area, following the establishment of missions and other settlements along the coast. Rancho de los Peñasquitos was the first "rancho", the Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos, within the boundaries of present-day San Diego County. In 1823, one league (4,243 acres; 17 km2) was awarded to Captain Francisco María Ruiz, a Commandant of the Presidio of San Diego. This one league was at the eastern part of the Los Peñasquitos Canyon and extended into Sabre Springs and up to Rancho Bernardo.