Before the Gold Rush and Hollywood, a chain of 21 Spanish missions established between 1769 and 1823 left a major colonial layer in California. Connected by El Camino Real, these missions stretch from San Diego to Sonoma. Today, traveling this historic route calls for attention to adobe walls, red tile roofs, arches, and bell towers alongside the region’s much older Indigenous histories and the harms caused by the mission system. This road trip combines historical context, coastal landscapes, vineyards, and cities that grew near these former colonial settlements.
Why visit
- Original Spanish colonial architecture that defined the Californian style
- Historic gardens, fountains, and peaceful interior courtyards
- Scenic route along the California coast (Highway 101)
- Museums narrating the complex history between settlers and indigenous people
- Opportunity to visit iconic cities like Santa Barbara and Carmel
Top things to do
Mission San Diego de Alcalá
The first mission, founded in 1769 by Fray Junípero Serra. Known as the "Mother of the Missions," it marks the beginning of El Camino Real. Its iconic five-bell campanario and beautiful gardens are an excellent starting point for the route.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Famous for the annual return of the swallows every March. This mission, known as the "Jewel of the Missions," features the ruins of the Great Stone Church (destroyed by an 1812 earthquake) and the Serra Chapel, California's oldest building in use.
Mission Santa Barbara
The "Queen of the Missions" is the only one with twin towers and a spectacular neoclassical facade. Located on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, its rose gardens and historic aqueduct are impressive.
Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo
Located in the picturesque town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, it was the headquarters of the mission system and the final resting place of Junípero Serra. Its sandstone architecture and vaulted ceiling make it unique.
Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores)
The oldest intact building in San Francisco (1776). It survived the great 1906 earthquake. Its wooden ceiling painted with indigenous Ohlone designs is a visual testament to the cultural blending of the era.
