California Missions

A brief history of the 21 missions in California built during 1769 -1833.

Purpose of the Missions:

Franciscan priests established 21 missions between 1769 and 1833 in Alta California. The goal was to spread Christianity among the local Native American communities, as well as to affirm the Spanish, and later Mexican, claims to the region.


Mission San Francisco Solano, founded in 1823.

Mission San Francisco Solano Interactive Map


Mission San Rafael Arcángel, founded in 1817.

Mission San Rafael Arcángel Interactive Map


Mission San Francisco de Asís, founded in 1776.

Mission San Francisco de Asís Interactive Map


Mission San José, founded in 1797.

Mission San José Interactive Map


Mission Santa Clara de Asís, founded in 1777.

Mission Santa Clara de Asís Interactive Map


Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791.

Mission Santa Cruz Interactive Map


Mission San Juan Bautista, founded in 1797.

Mission San Juan Bautista Interactive Map


Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, founded in 1770.

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Interactive Map


Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, founded in 1791.

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Interactive Map


Mission San Antonio de Padua, founded in 1771.

Mission San Antonio de Padua Interactive Map


Mission San Miguel Arcángel, founded in 1797.

Mission San Miguel Arcángel Interactive Map


Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Interactive Map


Mission La Purísima Concepción, founded in 1787.

Mission La Purísima Concepción Interactive Map


Mission Santa Inés, founded in 1804.

Mission Santa Inés Interactive Map


Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786.

Mission Santa Barbara Interactive Map


Mission San Buenaventura, founded in 1782.

Mission San Buenaventura Interactive Map


Mission San Fernando Rey de España, founded in 1797.

Mission San Fernando Rey de España Interactive Map


Mission San Gabriel, founded in 1771.

Mission San Gabriel Interactive Map


Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776.

Mission San Juan Capistrano Interactive Map


Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, founded in 1798.

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia Interactive Map


Mission San Diego de Alcalá, founded in 1769.

Mission San Diego de Alcalá Interactive Map


Traveling Between Missions

Missions were built approximately 30 miles (~48 km) apart from one another, which is about one day's travel on horseback or three days on foot.

Walking the trail is a way to connect with the history of the missions. For some it represents a spiritual pilgrimage, inspired by Jesuit priest Richard Roos' 1985 book, Christ walk.

Total Travel Distance Between All of the Missions

Approximately 600 miles (~996 km), from Mission San Diego de Alcalá to Mission San Francisco Solano.

Total Travel Time To Go Through Each Mission

Approximately 20 days traveling on horseback and 60 days traveling on foot.

How Missions Were Located

The entire trail eventually became known as "California Mission Trail." Rev. Lasuén successfully filled in empty spots along the El Camino Real. These additional outposts would provide much-needed rest stops where travelers could take lodging. Heavy freight movement was only practical via water pathways. Old tradition says that the padres would sprinkle mustard seeds along the trail, in order to mark it with bright yellow flowers.

Map of the Regions that the Missions Inhabited:

Possible Pathway of Connection between the Missions during the 18th Century

Mission San Francisco Solano, founded in 1823.

Mission San Rafael Arcángel, founded in 1817.

Mission San Francisco de Asís, founded in 1776.

Mission San José, founded in 1797.

Mission Santa Clara de Asís, founded in 1777.

Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791.

Mission San Juan Bautista, founded in 1797.

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, founded in 1770.

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, founded in 1791.

Mission San Antonio de Padua, founded in 1771.

Mission San Miguel Arcángel, founded in 1797.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772.

Mission La Purísima Concepción, founded in 1787.

Mission Santa Inés, founded in 1804.

Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786.

Mission San Buenaventura, founded in 1782.

Mission San Fernando Rey de España, founded in 1797.

Mission San Gabriel, founded in 1771.

Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776.

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, founded in 1798.

Mission San Diego de Alcalá, founded in 1769.