Even though the Spanish discovered California in 1542, they left the land alone for over two centuries. The event that finally forced the settlement of this "wilderness" was the encroachment of Russian fur trappers in increasing numbers into Spanish territory. The Russians would ultimately build a settlement (Fort Ross) north of San Francisco in 1812, Trappers ultimately depleted the sea otters, beavers and other wildlife that was so plentiful along the coast and inland waterways.