California’s 21 Franciscan Missions (1769–1823)

Spain established 21 missions along California’s coast from 1769 to 1823, beginning with Mission San Diego de Alcalá and ending with Mission San Francisco Solano. Their primary goals were to convert Native Americans to Catholicism and secure Spanish territorial claims.

The mission chain, connected by El Camino Real, shaped California’s early settlement, agriculture, and architecture. Today, most are preserved as historic landmarks and active parishes.