One of the best ways to get a glimpse of California history is to visit the state's missions, which reflect the Spanish expeditions into the area in the 1700s, the influence of the Catholic padres, and the historical artiftacts belonging to local Native American tribes. There are 21 California missions stretching from San Diego in the south to Sonoma in the north, located around Highway 101 along the California Historic Mission Trail. Just as they served as waystations for visitors back in the 1800s, most of the missions welcome guests today for Masses, tours, and special events.
San Diego de Alcala: The first mission in California had humble beginnings, with a bell hung in a tree. Now there are three bells that ring in Sunday Mass.
10818 San Diego Mission Road
San Diego, CA 92108
619-281-8449
San Luis Rey de Francia: "The King of the Missions" is known for its outstanding architecture and its fruit orchard houses the state's first pepper tree.
4050 Mission Avenue
San Luis Rey, CA 92068
760-757-3651
San Juan Capistrano: This mission hosts the famed Return of the Swallows celebration every March.
26801 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-248-2049
San Gabriel Arcangel: Several artifacts are on display here, including altar statues, paintings, books, and a copper baptismal.
537 W. Mission Drive
San Gabriel, CA 91776
626-282-5191
San Buenaventura: The ninth mission in the mission trail was renovated and restored in 1957.
225 E. Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
805-648-4496
San Fernando Rey de Espana: The mission, named after Spain's King Ferdinand III, features the original plaza fountain and an altar statue that is 300 years old.
15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd.
Mission Hills, CA 91345
818-361-0186
Santa Barbara: The "Queen of the Missions" was brought back to its former glory after the church was ruined by an earthquake in 1925.
2201 Laguna Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
805-682-4713
Santa Ines: Old World gardens and historic religious artifacts are some of the attractions at this mission.
1760 Mission Drive
Solvang, CA 93464
805-688-4815
La Purisima Concepcion: Travel back in time during living history demonstrations performed by volunteers and admire the restored and furnished rooms of the mission. The gardens are famous for their native plants.
2295 Purisima Road
Lompoc, CA 93436
805-733-3713
San Luis Obispo de Tolosa: This California mission has a chapel built of logs and a collection of vintage photos and Chumash Indian artifacts.
782 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805-543-6850
San Miguel Arcangel: The murals that were painted by Indians on the walls and ceilings can still be seen today. A fiesta for Saint Michael's feast day is held every September.
801 Mission Street
San Miguel, CA 93451
805-467-3256
San Antonia de Padua: California's third mission is set in the San Antonio Valley, which helped produce bountiful crops and blooming wildflowers.
On Mission Creek Road
Jolon, CA 93928
831-385-4478
Nuestra Senora de la Soledad: Although it was named for Our Lady of Solitude, this mission was known for its outreach to travelers in the area.
36641 Ft. Romie Road
Soledad, CA 93960
831-678-2586
San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo: This is the burial site of Father Junipero Serra, the founder of several California missions. The gardens and architecture are examples of typical mission design.
3080 Rio Road
Carmel, CA 93923
831-624-3600
San Juan Bautista: The largest mission church can be found here and it was well known for promoting music to the Native Americans.
At Second and Mariposa Streets
San Juan Bautista, CA 95045
831-623-4528
Santa Cruz: A half-scale replica has replaced the original building, which had been abandoned soon after its founding.
126 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-426-5686
Santa Clara de Asis: Tree roses are a hallmark of the garden at this mission, which has ties to Santa Clara University, where visitors can also find a trove of mission history.
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95953
408-554-4023
San Jose: The mission's early 1800s heyday has been recreated here as part of a $5 million renovation.
43300 Mission Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94539
510-657-1797
San Francisco de Asis is also known as Mission Dolores because of its proximity to a lake of the same name. The mission is the oldest building in San Francisco.
3321 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-621-8203
San Rafael Arcangel: Its roots are somber--it was originally a sanitarium that not only treated people with depression but also sick Indians from other missions. A chapel has replaced the original structure, which was used for firewood.
1104 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-454-8141
San Francisco de Solano: The final mission is perhaps the most historically rich in the state, as the site of a revolt to create a Republic of California. The mission had vineyards, and now priests bless local grapes every year.
20 E. Spain Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-938-1519
