The Spanish Missions of California

 

Beginning in what is now modern-day Mexico, the Franciscans founded a string of missions that stretched north along the California coast, from Mexico and finally ending up in San Francisco.

The first of these missions was Mission San Diego de Alcala, founded in 1769.

The locations were designed to be only one day’s ride by horseback between each mission, thereby assuring that there would be a safe place to stay each night. The string gradually expanded until completion of the last mission in 1823. During that time they became an important source of protection, education and conversions.

Perhaps the most famous of these missions is San Juan Capistrano.

Click here Mission San Buenaventura a Basilica

Click here for our page describing Mission San Diego de Alcala.

Click here for the website of Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Click here for a great website filled with interesting facts and photos.

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