About San Diego, California:
The Catholic history of San Diego began with the founding of Mission San Diego de Alcalá in 1769 by Father Junipero Serra. The Mission was named after the 15th-century saint, Didacus of Alcalá, also known as Saint Diego or Diego de San Nicolás. He was a Spanish Franciscan lay brother who served among the first group of missionaries to the newly conquered Canary Islands. He died at Alcalá de Henares in Spain on November 12, 1463.
This became the first of the 21 California missions.
An initial uprising by native people in 1775 led to the death of Father Luis Jayme, and the mission was burned down. Father Jayme became California’s first Christian martyr and is buried in the mission’s sanctuary.
After the uprising, the mission was rebuilt and later moved inland to its current location along the San Diego River. By 1797, the mission had grown to become the largest in California, with a thriving agricultural operation and a large number of baptized converts.
When Mexico gained independence from Spain on September 27, 1821, mission lands were secularized and divided by the Mexican Government. Following this, The Mexican-American War began in 1845, primarily caused by the U.S. annexation of Texas and the subsequent dispute over the southern border. Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, California became a territory of the United States, and then became a state in 1850.
In 1936, the Diocese of San Diego was officially formed from the Los Angeles-San Diego Diocese.
San Diego is known for its beaches, parks and warm climate. Immense Balboa Park is the site of the renowned San Diego Zoo, as well as numerous art galleries, artist studios, museums and gardens. A deep harbor is home to a large active naval fleet; with the USS Midway, an aircraft-carrier-turned-museum, open to the public.
Catholic places of interest in San Diego, California:
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church: located in Old Town.
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá: the first of California’s missions (both an active church and historic site).
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church: located in Little Italy
Saint Joseph Cathedral: seat of the Diocese
The Immaculata Catholic Church: located on the University of San Diego campus.
Catholic places of interest in the San Diego area:
Chula Vista (16 miles south of San Diego): Mater dei Parish and School.
La Jolla (13 miles north of San Diego): Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church & Shrine
Traveling to San Diego, California:
By air: San Diego International Airport (code SAN) is located three miles northwest of downtown San Diego.
By train: Amtrak serves San Diego via the “Pacific Surfliner” 312-mile route route that hugs the California coastline from San Luis Obispo to destinations in Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Diego.
By ship: Many cruises leave from San Diego, which has become an increasingly popular departure port for a variety of destinations from the city’s two terminals located on the Embarcadero.