California Mission Guide

The California missions represented the final expansion of the Spanish Empire. From 1769 to 1823, Spanish soldiers and monks built a total of 21 Missions and 5 Presidios (or military forts), stretching North from Mexico, along the Pacific coast, through the territory that was then known as Alta California.

Over a short period €“ little more than 50 years €“ the Spanish brought a new culture to California, spreading European religion, agricultural practices, and eventually forms of government. The settlements around the missions became the seeds of modern California€s major cities. The trail connecting the missions, El Camino Real, became California€s first €œhighway,€ and its route is closely followed by modern Highway 101.

The designs of the missions still influence California architecture. In a very real sense, California as we know it today would not exist without the foundation of the missions.

The California Mission Guide provides a quick introduction to the 21 California missions and their history. The book is a companion to the CaliforniaMissionGuide.com website, and is ideal for travelers and tourists who want to explore the California Missions.

Note: This book does not contain photographs!

There are many beautiful photo books featuring the California Missions. Our goal for the California Mission Guide was to provide a small book with key information on each of the missions, and the mission system in general.