Founded: July 4, 1823
The 21st California Mission

The 1840 church was restored in 1913. The restored mission complex includes the church, the padres' quarters (now a museum), and a large quadrangle.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: December 14, 1817
The 20th California Mission

The ruins of this mission were fully removed in 1870 and a modern church was erected on the site. The small replica mission chapel you see today was built in 1949.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: October 9, 1776
The 6th California Mission

The mission's iconic church is the oldest intact building in San Francisco. Popularly called Mission Dolores, the chapel contains some of the most sophisticated religious art in the mission chain.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: June 11, 1797
The 14th California Mission

This successful, prosperous mission was destroyed in an earthquake in 1869. The Mission San Jose Church was carefully restored between 1982-1985 and is considered one of the most authentic mission structures in California.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: January 12, 1777
The 8th California Mission

This was the first mission in California to honor a female saint, Saint Claire of Assisi, a 13th century Italian nun. This mission is the site of the first and oldest university in California, Santa Clara University, founded in 1851.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: August 28, 1791
The 12th California Mission

Santa Cruz is named for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of Christianity. This mission is located on a bluff in the City of Santa Cruz, near the mouth of the San Lorenzo River.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded 24, 1797
The 15th California Mission

This mission sits on the edge of the only remaining Spanish Plaza in California. Mission San Juan Bautista's historic church (built in 1812), well-landscaped grounds and setting, offer a unique opportunity to see and appreciate the California of two centuries ago.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: June 3, 1770
The 2nd California Mission

This mission is headquarters of the California missions. The stunning Mission Carmel Church was completed in 1797. The mission contains a great deal of significant art and original artifacts. Be sure to visit the Serra Memorial Cenotaph which was completed in 1924.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: October 9, 1791
The 13th California Mission

This mission is also called Mission Soledad. It was abandoned for almost 100 years, then carefully restored between 1954-1962. The simple chapel and padre's quarters, as well as the ruins of the mission's adobe walls, accurately depict what was one of the most isolated of the California missions.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: July 14, 1771
The 3rd California Mission

This mission was extensively restored between 1948 and 1952. The restored complex and grounds offer a lot for visitors to see.  The setting is much as a traveler would have experienced it two centuries ago.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: July 25, 1797
The 16th California Mission

This mission's historic church (completed in 1818) has rich vibrantly painted fresco murals. San Miguel's spacious grounds with ancient gateways and dilapidated adobe walls make this one of the most authentic-looking of the California missions.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: September 1, 1772
The 5th California Mission

The mission church was built in 1792. The former convento (now a museum) has a distinctive front colonnade. The museum has a special room focused on the Chumash Indians. A large modern plaza in front of the mission is a popular site for community events.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: December 8, 1787
The 11th California Mission

This mission is the most completely restored California mission, with over twenty buildings. This is the only mission that is a "living museum" with docents in period costume walking the grounds and live animals in a mission corral. La Purísima is now a California State Historic Park.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: September 17, 1804
The 19th California Mission

Also known as Santa Inés, this mission was named after Saint Agnes of Rome, a thirteen year-old Roman girl martyred in A.D. 304. This mission was never totally abandoned after secularization.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: December 4, 1786
The 10th California Mission

This is the only mission continuously operated by the Franciscans since its founding. This major mission has a distinctive church with a Neoclassical façade, a beautiful Morrish fountain, well-tended gardens, and a large museum. The only restored California Presidio is located in downtown Santa Bárbara.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: March 31, 1782
The 9th California Mission

San Buenaventura became a parish church after it was secularized in 1836. The high altar and its reredos date to 1818. This mission has a well-landscaped garden, informative displays, and a small but inviting museum.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: September 8, 1797
The 17th California Mission

This mission is organized around a large quadrangle, with a simple adobe church located in one corner. A convento (the padre's quarters and a guest house) branches off the quadrangle. The convento has a stunning colonnade with 19 arches.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: September 8, 1771
The 4th California Mission

The unique San Gabriel church features a Moorish "fortress-like" appearance. The mission has a full set of the Stations of the Cross painted by mission neophytes, and a large number of artifacts and historic items on display on the grounds.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: November 1, 1776
The 7th California Mission

This mission, designated the "Jewel of the Missions", contains picturesque ruins, a distinctive bell wall, and beautifully landscaped grounds. It is a popular destination known for its many special events, particularly "The Return of the Swallows".

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: June 13, 1798
The 18th California Mission

This mission quickly became the most prosperous of the California missions. San Luis Rey's stately church and long corridor with 32 Roman arches spanning the front of the convento has been carefully restored. The mission has a modern museum and many unique attractions.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.

Founded: July 16, 1769
The 1st California Mission

Mission San Diego's church (rebuilt in 1931) has a captivating 46-foot campanaro (bell wall) you won't forget. This mission has inviting grounds, informative displays, and a rich history.

For more information about this mission, visit our mission page where you will find lots of information whether you are a student, educator or a person looking to learn more about the mission.