California Spanish Missions
Between 1769 and 1833, Franciscan priests established 21 missions in Alta, California to spread Christianity among Native Americans.
Overview map of the 21 Spanish missions in California and plausible path (El Camino Real)
Distances and travel time between missions (South to North)- Google Maps (hours converted to days)
Mission San Diego de Alcalá to Mission San Luis Rey de Francia : 40 miles and 0.55 days to walk
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia to Mission San Juan Capistrano : 39.5 miles and 0.56 days to walk
Mission San Juan Capistrano to Mission San Gabriel : 58.3 miles and 0.82 days to walk
Mission San Gabriel to Mission San Fernando Rey de España : 26.9 miles and 0.38 days to walk
Mission San Fernando Rey de España to Mission San Buenaventura : 57.8 miles and 0.81 days to walk
Mission San Buenaventura to Mission Santa Barbara : 36.4 miles and 0.52 days to walk
Mission Santa Barbara to Mission Santa Inés : 32.2 miles and 0.45 days to walk
Mission Santa Inés to Mission La Purísima Concepción : 18.1 miles and 0.25 days to walk
Mission La Purísima Concepción to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa : 55 miles and 0.75 days to walk
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa to Mission San Miguel Arcángel : 50.6 miles and 0.70 days to walk
Mission San Miguel Arcángel to Mission San Antonio de Padua : 58.3 miles and 0.80 days to walk
Mission San Antonio de Padua to Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad : 44 miles and 0.59 days to walk
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad to Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo : 45.7 miles and 0.63 days to walk
Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo to Mission San Juan Bautista : 40.1 miles and 0.56 days to walk
Mission San Juan Bautista to Mission Santa Cruz : 35.2 miles and 0.49 days to walk
Mission Santa Cruz to Mission Santa Clara de Asís : 33 miles and 0.47 days to walk
Mission Santa Clara de Asís to Mission San José : 17.4 miles and 0.25 days to walk
Mission San José to Mission San Francisco de Asís : 36.3 miles and 0.45 days to walk and boat across the San Franscisco Bay
Mission San Francisco de Asís to Mission San Rafael Arcángel : 19.2 miles and 0.10 days to walk and boat
Mission San Rafael Arcángel to Mission San Francisco Solano : 37.9 miles and 0.52 days to walk
My path totaled to 781.9 miles and will take 10.65 days of walking and some boating. It can be estimated to account for sleep, resource collection, stops at missions, and eating and drinking it would take over 50 days to travel to each mission on foot and by water.
Mission San Diego de Alcalá (1769)- San Diego, CA
Near water sources and has opportunities to hunt and collect along coast
Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (1770)- Carmel, CA
Right on the coast that has cooler climates, fishing, and oceans for boat travel and trading.
Mission San Antonio de Padua (1771)- near Jolon, CA
In a valley, possible area for livestock, farming and food sources.
Mission San Gabriel (1771)- San Gabriel, CA
In a valley, possible area for livestock, farming and food sources.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (1772)- San Luis Obispo, CA
Area near the coast, water sources like creeks and rivers. There are many opportunities for fishing, hunting, and farming.
Mission San Francisco de Asís (1776)- San Franscico, CA
Right in the bay which has a lot of opportunities for traveling and trading using the waterways. Fishing and cooler climates give good living conditions.
Mission San Juan Capistrano - (1776)- San Juan Capistrano, CA
In the interior foothills from the coast which is still relatively close. Good area for farming and livestock.
Mission Santa Clara de Asís - (1777)- Santa Clara, CA
In a valley that has great opportunites for farming and livestock.
Mission San Buenaventura (1782)- Ventura, CA
Right on the coast and within the foothill which has many animals to hunt and fish to catch in the coast. There are also nearby water sources.
Mission Santa Barbara (1786)- Santa Barbara, CA
Right on the coast and within the foothill which has many animals to hunt and fish to catch in the coast. There are also nearby water sources.
Mission La Purísima Concepción (1787)- Lompoc, CA
Generally close to the ocean with generally hilly terrain with grasslands to help with farming and cattle grazing.
Mission Santa Cruz (1791)- Santa Cruz, CA
Right on the coast to give chance to trade, and travel using boats. There are nearby redwood forests to collect, log and hunt. Fishing in the ocean is essential.
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (1791)- Soledad, CA
In a valley here terrain and soil is perfect for farming and crops.
Mission San José (1797)- Fremont, CA
Near the bay where the water can be used for trade, fishing, and travel.
Mission San Juan Bautista (1797)- San Juan Bautista, CA
In interior foothills and valleys which is great for farming, harvesting, and livestock.
Mission San Miguel Arcángel (1797)- San Miguel, CA
Climate, topogrpahy, and terrian great for farming and livestcok.
Mission San Fernando Rey de España (1797)- Los Angeles, CA
The Los Angeles valley is a great central location with several different tribes to convert to Native Americans to Catholicism.
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia (1798)- Oceanside, CA
Near the ocean with oppurtunities for fishing, trade, and travel along the coast. Nearby wetlands with aquatic species and ecosystem.
Mission Santa Inés (1804)- Solvang, CA
There is a river going through the Santa Ynez Valley which harbors fish and ways to trade and travel. Nearby lake.
Mission San Rafael Arcángel (1817)- San Rafael, CA
Near the San Fransico Bay which allows travel to other missions and to trade and fish.
Mission San Francisco Solano (1823)- Sonoma, CA
The site was likely chosen for weather, grazing lands, and psosibly logging.