21 California missions were founded. They cover 650 miles along the El Camino Real (King’s Highway) between San Diego and Sonoma.
Mission San Francisco de Asis WHO: Mission San Francisco de Asis was founded by Father Francisco Palóu and Fray Pedro Benito Cambón. WHAT: The mission was named after St. Francis of Assisi, namesake of the Franciscan Order of Priests. The nickname of the mission is “Mission Dolores”, and is the oldest surviving structure in San […]
Mission San Raphael Arcangel WHO: Mission San Raphael Arcangel was founded by Father Vicente Francisco de Sarria as a medical hospital. WHAT: The mission is named after Saint Raphael. The nickname of the mission is “Mission of Body Healing”. WHERE: The mission is located at 1104 5th Avenue in San Rafael, California. […]
Mission San Diego WHO: Mission San Diego was founded by Spanish Father Junipero Serra, the first one he personally founded. WHAT: The mission was named after Saint Diego or Didacus of Alcala. The nickname of the mission is “Mother of the Alta California Missions” since it was the first mission in California. WHERE: […]
Mission San Juan Capistrano WHO: Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded by Fathers Junipero Serra, Fermin Lasuen, and Gregorio Amurrio. WHAT: The mission was named after Saint John Capistrano of Sajavit (a 15th-century theologian and “warrior priest” who resided in the Abruzzo region of Italy). It is nicknamed “Jewel of the Missions”, “Mission […]
Mission San Juan Bautista WHO: Mission San Juan Bautista was founded by Father Fermin Lasuen of the Franciscan order. WHAT: The mission was named after Saint John the Baptist. The nickname of the mission is the “Music Mission”. WHERE: The mission is located at 406 2nd Street, San Juan Bautista, California. The city of San […]
Mission Santa Ines WHO: Mission Santa Ines was founded by Father Estevan Tapis. WHAT: The mission was named after St. Agnes of Rome. It is known as one of the best preserved of the California missions. It’s nickname is the ‘Hidden Gem of the Missions”. WHERE: The mission is located in Solvang, California. […]
Mission Santa Clara de Asis WHO: Mission Santa Clara was founded by Father Junipero Serra of the Franciscan order. WHAT: The mission named for Saint Clare of Assisi, the founder of the Order of the Poor Clares. WHERE: The mission is located at 500El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA. It is part of the campus […]
Mission San Antonio de Padua WHO: Mission San Antonio de Padua was founded by Father Junipero Serra. WHAT: The mission was named after Saint Anthony of Padua, and nicknamed “Mission of the Sierras”. WHERE: The mission is located at 1 Mission Creek Rd, Jolon (near Monterey) California. WHEN: The mission was founded on July 14, […]
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa WHO: Mission San Luis Obispo was founded by Father Junipero Serra. WHAT: The mission was named after Saint Louis of Anjou the bishop of Toulouse, and nicknamed “Prince of the Missions” , “Mission in the Valley of Bears”, and the “The Accidental Mission” WHERE: The mission is located 751 […]
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia WHO: Mission San Luis Rey was founded by Father Fermin Lasuen. WHAT: The mission was named for King Louis IX of France, and nicknamed “King of the Missions”. WHERE: The mission is located at 4050 Mission Ave., San Luis Rey, California. WHEN: The mission was founded in June 12, […]
