Final answer:
The Native Americans in California at the beginning of colonization lived predominantly in the northern area.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Native Americans in California were divided into tribes and spoke different dialects. They were primarily hunter/gatherers and participated in trade networks. At the beginning of colonization, most Native Americans lived in the northern area of California.
The arrival of European settlers and ensuing geopolitical changes, including land tenure systems and ranchos, significantly affected the native population. Religions like Kuksu played a vital role in the cultural lives of tribes in Northern California.