The Gringos recounts the massive clash of cultures that arose when European-American prospectors streamed into California in pursuit of gold and other natural resources. Dade Hunter and Jack Allen are two cowboys who got caught up in the 1849 California Gold Rush, and had a good fortune in the gold fields. They decide to spend a winter in San Francisco, where Jack gets hooked on gambling, while Dade quickly gets tired of it and moves on. Dade meets Andres, a Spanish Don who owns a large ranch, and tries to persuade Jack to move there with him, but Jack is involved way over his head.