Which California City Was Originally Known As Yerba Buena Before Being Renamed In 1847? Answer
The city was San Francisco. Before 1847, the small settlement by the bay was called Yerba Buena, a name taken from a native mint-like plant common in the area. The change to San Francisco occurred as American governance replaced Mexican rule, and the new name reflected the influence of the nearby Franciscan mission that had long existed in the region.
