MissionTrail and Maps

Mission Trail http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id SEARCH: Mission Trail or follow this link: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=22722

Mission Trail http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_missions_in_California

To facilitate overland travel, the mission settlements were situated approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) apart, so that they were separated by one day's long ride on horseback (or three days on foot) along the 600-mile (966-kilometer) long "California Mission Trail." Father Lasuén is credited for having brought the concept to life in 1798 when he successfully argued that filling in the "spaces" along El Camino Real with additional outposts would provide much-needed rest stops, where travelers could take lodging in relative safety and comfort. Heavy freight movement was practical only via water. Tradition has it that the padres sprinkled mustard seeds along the trail in order to mark it with bright yellow flowers.

In geographical order, north to south

• • Mission San Francisco Solano, in Sonoma

  • Mission San Rafael Arcángel, in San Rafael

  • Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores), in San Francisco

  • Mission San José, in Fremont

  • Mission Santa Clara de Asís, in Santa Clara

  • Mission Santa Cruz, in Santa Cruz

  • Mission San Juan Bautista, in San Juan Bautista

  • Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, south of Carmel

  • Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, south of Soledad

  • Mission San Antonio de Padua, northwest of Jolon

  • Mission San Miguel Arcángel, in San Miguel

  • Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, in San Luis Obispo

  • Mission La Purísima Concepción, northeast of Lompoc

  • Mission Santa Inés, in Solvang

  • Mission Santa Barbara, in Santa Barbara

  • Mission San Buenaventura, in Ventura

  • Mission San Fernando Rey de España, in Mission Hills (Los Angeles)

  • Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, in San Gabriel

  • Mission San Juan Capistrano, in San Juan Capistrano

  • Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, in Oceanside

• Mission San Diego de Alcalá, in San Diego

In chronological order

Franciscan establishments (1769–1823)

• 1. Mission San Diego de Alcalá founded in 1769

  2. Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo founded in 1770

  3. Mission San Antonio de Padua founded in 1771

  4. Mission San Gabriel Arcángel founded in 1771

  5. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa founded in 1772

  6. Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores) founded in 1776

  7. Mission San Juan Capistrano founded in 1776

  8. Mission Santa Clara de Asís founded in 1777

  9. Mission San Buenaventura founded in 1782

  10. Mission Santa Barbara founded in 1786

  11. Mission La Purísima Concepción founded in 1787

  12. Mission Santa Cruz founded in 1791

  13. Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad founded in 1791

  14. Mission San José founded in 1797

  15. Mission San Juan Bautista founded in 1797

  16. Mission San Miguel Arcángel founded in 1797

  17. Mission San Fernando Rey de España founded in 1797

  18. Mission San Luis Rey de Francia founded in 1798

  19. Mission Santa Inés founded in 1804

  20. Mission San Rafael Arcángel founded in 1817 — originally planned as an asistencia to Mission San Francisco de Asís

1. Mission San Francisco Solano founded in 1823 — originally planned as an asistencia to Mission San Rafael Arcángel

This map link will give you driving directions to any of the the 21 Missions, ask your parents to take a road trip and go see a Mission... or two, or three! Google Map http://www.ca.gov/About/Maps/Missions.html