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10 Missions in California That You Shouldn't Miss
California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
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1. Packinghouse Christian Fellowship
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By waynefromcali - Yucaipa, United States
Packinghouse Christian Fellowship,located on San Bernardino Ave.,in the beautiful foothill community of Redlands,California,is a great place to learn about the Lord Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation for everyone who would like" peace in the middle of the storms" of life! Its a place to fellowship with a group of friendly people! They have a very knowledgable group of pastors that teach the pure biblical word of God The Packinghouse is blessed fellowship if your looking for a place to learn about The Lord. They have ministries for adults,teens and children as well at all their services too! The Packinghouse also features a very talented music ministry that plays and sings before each service! Each Sunday The Packinghouse always has an eclectic group of guest musicians or groups that perform as well! . . . . #packinghouse #lord #peace #christian #packinghousechristianfellowship #packinghouseofredlands #musicministry #godisgood #bible #biblestudies #waynesalvatti #seetheusa #musicministry #findpeace #edrae #beblessed #pastoredrae #youngbloods #teenministry #youthpastors #readyiurbible #jesussaves
2. Mission San Juan Bautista
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
Reviewed By ransom007 - Anaheim, United States
There is limited free street parking available near the mission. There is a small admission fee (I paid $3). It is one of California's 21 Catholic missions. There is a good sized gift shop. The museum portion of the mission has several artifacts but little information about them. The grounds are well planted and maintained. The church is quite fabulous even by the lofty standards of California missions. It was the site of some of the scenes from the Alfred Hitchcock movie "Vertigo."
3. San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 508 reviews
Established in 1771, this Spanish mission is one of the most beautiful in the state and worth a visit for its serene aura. The mission includes a working church, gardens and interior exhibits.
Reviewed By tinahN3641RS
I thought the grounds were gorgeous and the history very interesting, especially if you aren't stopping at other missions along the coast. The self-guided tour doesn't take long and is worth the stop.
4. Mission San Diego de Alcala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 383 reviews
Located in the Mission Valley section of San Diego, this historic mission was founded by Father Junipero Serra, who started a string of 21 missions along the California coast.
Reviewed By Roam277228
I loved it. Mission San Diego is still an active church with the plus of the mission style and a great gift shop. My 3 son's loved it they are 17,9&7 it was so interesting and my kids said it was cool to see old stuff lol. It's free and very clean I would definitely go again you can your the mission in about 1hr. Great place to take out of state visitors.
5. Mission San Antonio de Pala
6. Mission Santa Clara de Asis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
Founded in 1777, this historic mission is located on the campus of Santa Clara University.
Reviewed By pearlwhite - San Jose, United States
This is a beautiful and well-maintained California mission church on the serene Santa Clara University campus. It has a very active parish and the masses are traditional with great music - especially the student mass Sunday night that pulls from the talent of the student body. You can't drive up to the church anymore, so park in the neighborhood and stroll through the campus.
7. Old Mission Santa Ines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 520 reviews
Reviewed By CleopatraBunny - Flagstaff, United States
This active Catholic Church has a well-curated collection of old mission tools, vestments, furnishings and other items from the 1800s mission life. Cemetery has over 1000 people buried here but most graves are not marked. What’s worthwhile is the self-guided audio tour. You push little buttons on the wall in seven areas to hear the history and backstory on each room and the church itself. Plenty of free parking and charming gift shop staff.
8. Mission San Gabriel Archangel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
Mission founded in 1771 by Father Junipero Serra, originally from Cordova, Spain, who wanted to share his religious faith with the inhabitants of the New World.
Reviewed By amstockton - Las Vegas, United States
We (I brought my 1 year old) visited the mission while we were visiting Pasadena. It’s the 3rd one I’ve had the pleasure of exploring. It is peaceful, beautiful, and there is so much history on display . I’ve been to San Juan Capistrano and Mission San Fernando Rey de España. This one had a couple of surprises history wise that really delighted me. The Ramona grape vine was inspiring and a lovely reminder of the incredible history of this mission. The info about the orange trees originally planted there was cool too! This is a really great place to explore for an hour-hour and a half.
9. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 680 reviews
Founded on September 1, 1772, this is considered one of the most beautiful missions in California and still serves as an active church in the community.
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
It is a Spanish mission founded in 1772 by Father Junípero Serra in San Luis Obispo, California. Named after Saint Louis of Anjou, the bishop of Toulouse, the mission is the namesake of San Luis Obispo. It offers tours of the beautiful church, gardens, school and small museum that holds a collection of its artifacts. It is open to the public every day of the year. Certainly would very highly recommend visiting this place, when in the area.
10. La Purisima State Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 384 reviews
Reviewed By chrisk450 - Palm Springs, United States
Unlike many of the restored California Missions which sit in touristy city centers, La Pursima Concepcion is in a lovely, oak-filled rural valley outside Lompoc, reminiscent of the early days of California when the missions were founded. I had fond memories of this place as a kid -- the size of the grounds and the rustic quality of the restoration work made it different from most of the other missions. Happily, it has kept that sense of authenticity. The self-guided mission tour is both substantial and informative; the old mission grounds have animals and fields just like one would have encountered two centuries ago, along with shady courtyards and fountains to sit and relax. There are some lovely trails through the mission's "backlot," and dogs are welcome so long as they are kept on a leash. All in all, one of the most interesting and educational of the Missions, and well worth the $6 for parking.
