Mission San Francisco Solano: It Didn't Exist—The Last Mission Was San Francisco de Asís

There was no "Mission San Francisco Solano" in the California mission chain. The 21 Franciscan missions (1769–1823) ended with Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores), founded 1776 in present-day San Francisco.

The Confusion Sources

• Solano County (named for Chief Solano, Suisun leader, baptized at Mission San Francisco de Asís)
• Mission San Francisco Solano (Sonoma)? — Common misnomer for Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma, the 21st and last mission, founded July 4, 1823 by Padre José Altimira. It is real—just rarely called that formally. Official name: Mission San Francisco Solano (often "Sonoma Mission").

Correction: Mission San Francisco Solano (Sonoma) DID Exist

My initial statement was incorrect. Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma was the final Alta California mission, founded 1823 under Mexican rule (secularized 1834). Crops grown there:

• Grains: Wheat, barley, corn, peas, beans
• Orchard: Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, figs, olives, grapes (wine/brandy)
• Vegetables: Squash, melons, onions, garlic, peppers, lettuce
• Industrial: Hemp, flax, cotton (limited)
• Livestock: Cattle (hides/tallow — primary export), sheep, horses, mules

The mission's vineyard was renowned — precursor to Sonoma wine country. General Mariano Vallejo administered post-secularization; his Petaluma rancho inherited the herds.

Why the Name Confusion?

"San Francisco de Asís" (Mission Dolores, 1776, SF city) vs. "San Francisco Solano" (Sonoma, 1823). Both honor Franciscan saints: St. Francis of Assisi (founder) and St. Francis Solanus (South American missionary). The Solano mission is the one in Wine Country.

So: Yes, it existed. Yes, crops known. Name confusion with Mission Dolores is common.