Here is a list of mission abbreviations in common use and the special 'designations' that Fr. Zephyrin Engelhardt, O.F.M. cited in his definitive multi-volume study The Missions and Missionaries of California, and smaller books on specific missions:
MISSION | OFFICAL NAME | ABBREVIATION / NICKNAME DESIGNATION |
San Diego de Alcala | San Diego Mission | Mother of the Missions |
San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo | Mission Carmel | |
San Antonio de Padua | San Antonio Mission | |
San Gabriel Arcangel | San Gabriel Mission | Pride of the Missions |
San Luis Obispo de Tolosa | Mission San Luis Obispo | |
San Francisco de Asis | Mission Dolores | |
San Juan Capistrano | San Juan Capistrano | Jewel of the Missions |
Santa Clara de Asis | Mission Santa Clara | |
San Buenaventura | San Buenaventura | Mission by the Sea |
Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | Queen of the Missions |
La Purisima Concepcion | La Purisima | |
Santa Cruz | Mission Santa Cruz | |
Nuestra Senora de la Soledad | Mission Soledad | |
San Jose | San Jose | |
San Juan Bautista | San Juan Bautista | Mission of Music |
San Miguel Arcangel | San Miguel Mission | |
San Fernando Rey de Espana | San Fernando Rey Mission | Mission of the Valley |
San Luis Rey de Francia | San Luis Rey Mission | King of the Missions |
Santa Ines Virgen y Martir | Mission Santa Ines | Mission of the Passes |
San Rafael Arcangel | San Rafael Mission | |
San Francisco Solano | Mission Sonoma |