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Detailed map of the West Coast of North America, extending from Mount St. Elias, Alaska in the north to Monterey Bay in the south, published in the Atlas du Voyage de la Perouse.

The map exhibits excellent detail along the coast, tracking La Perouse's voyage on a nearly daily basis. The map also highlights the incomplete nature of La Perouse's survey of the coastline, with many areas left blank, with the expectation of follow up voyages. Topographical details are included where observed by La Perouse.

Jean-François de Galaup, Comte de La Pérouse and His Pacific Coast Explorations 

Jean-François de Galaup, Comte de La Pérouse, was a prominent French navigator and explorer whose 1785-1788 expedition significantly contributed to the European understanding of the Pacific and its coastlines. His exploration followed the directives of King Louis XVI and aimed at furthering the French scientific and geographical knowledge that had been expanding due to earlier explorers like Captain James Cook, as well as looking for opportunities to expand French influence and control in the Pacific Rim.

La Pérouse's detailed exploration of the North American Pacific coast was a major component of his expedition, providing critical insights from Monterey, California, to the icy reaches of Mt. St. Elias, Alaska. La Pérouse arrived in Monterey in September 1786, where he documented the Spanish colonial environment and the Indigenous peoples of the region. His detailed observations during his stay from September 14 to September 24, 1786, offer a rare European perspective on life in Spanish California and its natural environment.

Following his departure from Monterey, La Pérouse headed north, mapping the intricate and rugged coastlines of what are now California, Oregon, and Washington.

• California's Coastal Features: As he progressed northward, he identified and named several geographical features, though some names were later replaced by those given by British and American explorers.
• Oregon and Washington Coasts: His expedition made brief stops along these coasts in October 1786, noting the stark differences in climate and the challenges posed by the Pacific Northwest’s dense fog and strong currents.

Continuing into Canadian waters, La Pérouse charted parts of what is now British Columbia. In this region, he encountered various indigenous groups, with whom he traded goods and gathered information about their cultures and the geographical intricacies of the area.

• Nootka Sound: In early 1787, the expedition reached Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island, a crucial site for interaction between European explorers and First Nations peoples. La Pérouse's logs provide details of the complex social structures and trade practices he observed.
• Crossing into Alaskan Waters: By mid-1787, La Pérouse had reached the Alaskan coast, focusing his efforts on charting the shoreline near present-day Yakutat Bay and observing the towering peak of Mt. St. Elias. His time in Alaska was marked by detailed naturalistic studies and cartographic surveys, crucial for subsequent navigators.

By June 1787, the expedition was near Mt. St. Elias, where La Pérouse conducted extensive surveys from June 24 to July 3, 1787. This part of the voyage was particularly perilous due to the treacherous seas and the poorly understood geography of the northern Pacific region. 

La Pérouse’s voyage along the Pacific coast was characterized by a high degree of scientific rigor and diplomatic engagement with Indigenous populations. His charts and observations of the coast from California to Alaska were invaluable contributions to the cartographic and ethnographic knowledge of the time. The records of this expedition, particularly the detailed maps and descriptions, served as vital references for future explorations and understanding of the Pacific Northwest. Tragically, after leaving Alaska, the expedition met an unknown fate in the Solomon Islands, with the disappearance of La Pérouse becoming one of the great mysteries of maritime history. The legacy of his journey, however, endures through his comprehensive expedition records, which were sent back to France before his disappearance.