AHC:An independent Alta California

What could lead to an independent California? With A departure point prior to being annexed by the United States how does California first gain independence from Mexico and then maintain it to the present. Does Fremont successfully establish the Brear Flag Republic or do the Californios establish a republic of sorts? What effect would an earlier discovery of gold in the central valley or silver in Nevada have? How would this effect the rest of the continent of North America.
 
I don't think you could get an independent California with Fremont's bear flag republic.

A good way would be to have the US do a little worse in the Mex-American war. The war still goes bad for Mexico but maybe it can drag long enough that it outlives Polk's presidency. Once Polk is out the next President overseas the negotiations and accepts the only Texas and lands north of 37th parallel proposal as a border.

When the gold rush strikes Cali will become infested with Americans like Texas did earlier and it wouldn't take long before some one "pulls a Texas" and declares California independent. This time British interests are at stake and thanks to British intervention California is kept independent but open to American immigrants.
 
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