Missions of Alta California, U.S.A. ~ Updated Jan 14, 2015

Backed by Spain, the first mission in Upper California was founded in San Diego in 1769 by Friar Junipero Serra, a Franciscan priest, whose primary motivation was to convert Native Americans to Christianity. The missions were useful as a first step towards setting up Spanish military outposts and settlements in Alta California frontier territory that Spain (through the voyages of Christopher Columbus) had discovered over two centuries earlier. The missions introduced European crops and cattle into California and also attempted to educate the Native Americans. The 21st and final mission, Mission San Francisco Solano, in Sonoma was built in 1823 by Fr. Jose Altimira.

I have a personal mission to visit all 21 missions in Alta California in my lifetime. This post will follow my own trail of the California Missions, of which hitherto, I have visited only 9; I will add to this post as I visit new ones. My path begins at Old Mission Santa Barbara. (Click on any image for an enlarged view)

1. Old Mission Santa Barbara (10th mission in chronological age; 7th mission north of San Diego) - 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105; founded by Fr. Fermin Lasuen on December 4, 1786.

Above right: Fray Junipero Serra (1713-1784) - Founder of the California Missions

2. Mission Santa Clara de Asis (8th mission in chronological age; 17th mission north of San Diego) - 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053; founded by Fr. Junipero Serra on January 12, 1777.

3. Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (2nd mission in chronological age; 14th mission north of San Diego) - 3080 Rio Road, Carmel, CA 93923; founded by Fr. Junipero Serra (originally built in Monterey on June 3, 1770, the church was fully moved to the Carmel location in December 1771).

4. Mission San Jose (14th mission in chronological age; 18th mission north of San Diego) - 43300 Mission Boulevard, Fremont, CA 94539; founded by Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen on June 11, 1797.

5. Mission San Rafael (20th mission in chronological age; 20th mission north of San Diego) - 1104 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901; founded by Padre Vicente Sarria as an "asistencia" or adjunct to Mission Dolores on December 14, 1817, it was raised to full mission status in 1822 due to its thriving, self-serving community. (Date visited June 01, 2013)

6. Mission San Francisco de Asis, popularly known as Mission Dolores (6th mission in chronological age; 19th mission north of San Diego) - 3321 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114; founded by Fr. Junipero Serra on June 29, 1776.

7. Mission Santa Cruz (12th mission in chronological age; 16th mission north of San Diego) - 144 School Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; founded by Fr. Fermin Lasuen on August 28, 1791. This was a half-size replica of the original mission.

8. Mission San Juan Bautista (15th mission in chronological age; 15th mission north of San Diego) - 406 Second Street, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045; founded by Fr. Fermin Lasuen on June 24, 1797. It is the largest mission and the only mission church with three aisles.

9. Mission San Francisco Solano (21st mission in chronological age; 21st mission north of San Diego) - 363 Third St. West, Sonoma, CA 95476; founded by Fr. Jose Altimira on July 4, 1823. It is the only mission built under Mexican rule and the last to be built in Alta California. (Date visited: Jan 10, 2015)