Here’s the last leg of our California missions trip.  They don’t go any further north than Sonoma, so we’re almost at the end of the trail.  Let’s check Carmel.

Carmel

This is the second mission and served as the headquarters of the entire chain for years.  The mission is noted as serving as California’s first library founded in 1778.  The location of this mission is perfect for sightseeing because it’s by Point Lobos State Reserve and the 17 mile drive by Pebble Beach Golf Course.  Definitely set aside some time to spend at the mission and the surrounding area of Carmel.

Mission San Juan Bautista is about a 40 minute drive from Carmel.  You’ll have to leave the Pacific Coast Highway to get there, but it’s a nice detour to see the town of San Juan, chill, say you’ve been and then head back to the coast to get to Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz

This is one of the smallest missions in the chain, so you won’t spend too much time here.  Check it out, snap a pic or two and then go enjoy Santa Cruz.

Santa Clara

At this point, you can consider yourself in the Bay Area.  Mission Santa Clara is next to the oldest college in the state, the University of Santa Clara.  The padres finally caught a clue and chose a woman to serve as the patron saint.  St. Clare of Assisi.  Another little tidbit…the church was rebuilt 5 times due to fire, earthquakes and flooding.  They had their share of issues.

San Jose

This is the second largest mission…San Luis Rey down in Oceanside is the largest.  This is another mission where you’ll read about the Native Americans revolting against the padres.  Skipping it, you won’t miss much.  It’s not actually in San Jose, but in Fremont which is on the southeast side of the San Francisco Bay.  Check a map, check how much free time you have and decide from there.

San Francisco de Asis

This one is literally in the heart of San Francisco in where else?  The mission district.  It’s neighbor is Mission Dolores Basilica and I always knew it as Mission Dolores and not Mission San Francisco.  Point in fact though, the basilica was built 100 years after (1876) the mission was founded (1776), so there you go.  Not to bring it up again, but here was another mission that didn’t provide a benefit to Native Americans.  Over 5000 died here allegedly from European diseases.

Zipping by San Rafael and going to the last…

San Francisco Solano

The last on the trail and the last founded in 1823.  This one was started by a rogue padre who founded the mission without the approval of the church.  It’s located in the heart of Sonoma and is where the first bear flag was raised in California, proclaiming it a republic and independent from Mexico.  Check it out and then go drink some wine.

California missions in a nutshell.  If you’re a native Californian, you might remember a lot of this since we get taught about them in the 4th grade.  If you’re looking to explore, I hope this has helped in the planning of your trip.  Let me know if you have a favorite or if there is something about one of the missions that stands out to your in your memory.

May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back,

Jae