See: California Mission Photos 

How well do you know the California Missions?  Above are 1. San Juan Capistrano, 2. Santa Barbara, 3. San Buenaventura, 4. Solvang, 5. Carmel and 6. La Purisima.

There are 21 missions that extend mostly along the California Coast and nearby regions. Founded by the Spanish padres with the goal of bring their religion and cultural influence to California, the missions were built beginning in the late 1700s to the 1800s. As far as we are aware, no mission stands in its original form today. Most have been rebuilt to the specifications of the original structure. A tour to the California Missions is highly recommended. You may only see one or two, since they stretch from San Diego to north of San Francisco, a length of over 500 miles.  Each mission blends with its environment in a unique way. Most missions act as museums and many also offer church services.  There are events held at the California missions throughout the year. BEACHCALIFORNIA offers an extensive Calendar of Events featuring fairs, festival and things to do throughout the hundreds of California Cities and locations.

Father Junípero Serra raised a cross at San Diego to establish the first Spanish settlement in California in 1769 to convert Native American Indians to Christianity. From San Diego to Sonoma—millions of California schoolchildren have traveled to and taken tours of adobe buildings that enjoy popularity as one of California's most visited tourist attractions. Filled with historic murals, rare basketry and Native American art, gift shops, meeting rooms and sanctuaries serving as active parishes (in all but two missions that are operated as California State Parks).

When the Mexican government dissolved the California mission system in the 1820s, most fell into disrepair. Some crumbled from quakes and others experienced neglect. In  1999, the California Missions Foundation began offering grants for preservation projects. In 2004 U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) sponsored a bill which passed to provide $10 million in matching funds to the missions foundation. But last November, the Washington, D.C., group Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit to block the funding. A difficult and thorny legal consideration, a system needs to be introduced to fund these historic properties as reminders of the establishment of today's California. 

There are 21  missions along the California coast built under the direction of Padre Junipero Serra of the Order of Franciscan Friars. He  was born at Petra, Isla del Mallorca, on the 24th of November, 1713. At the age of 17 he received the Franciscan habit and in the year 1749 embarked for the missions of Mexico. Padre Serra, who was named Presidente of the Missions of Loreto in Lower California, came north to San Diego, and established missions throughout California. He is buried in Carmel. 

The 21 missions in California include Mission San Luis Rey, Carmel Mission, Mission Santa Barbara and Mission San Juan Capistrano.  They provide a  historical displays of early California. Many are near the beach, following the trail of the Camino Real which Spanish padres established, creating a foothold in California. Resources: Mission Map