Franciscan priests established 21 missions between 1769 and 1833 in Alta California, accompanied by military outposts. Their goal was to spread Christianity among the local Native Americans, as well as to affirm Spanish, and later Mexican, claims to the region.
To facilitate overland travel, the mission settlements were situated approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) apart, about one day's journey on horseback, or three days on foot. The entire trail eventually became a 600-mile (966-kilometer) long "California Mission Trail." Rev. Lasuén successfully argued that filling in the empty spaces along El Camino Real with additional outposts would provide much-needed rest stops where travelers could take lodging in relative safety and comfort.[1]: 132 [2]: 152 Heavy freight movement was practical only via water. Tradition has it that the padres sprinkled mustard seeds along the trail to mark it with bright yellow flowers.[3]: 79 [4]: 260
Today a growing number of people, calling themselves California Mission Walkers, hike the mission trail route, usually in segments between the missions.[5] Walking the trail is a way to connect with the history of the missions. For some it represents a spiritual pilgrimage, inspired by Jesuit priest Richard Roos' 1985 book, Christwalk.[6] The loosely organized group is attempting to formalize the route and establish markers, similar to the 330-mile (530 km) El Camino de Santiago, in Spain.
There were 21 missions, 8 asistencias, and 5 estancias in what is now California.
Two Franciscan missions, Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción and Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer, were constructed within the present-day borders of California but were administered as part of the Spanish missions of Pimería Alta. As such, they are not considered a part of the 21 missions of Alta California.
Asistencias were branch missions that allowed the priests to extend their reach into the native population at a modest cost.
An estancia or estância is a Spanish or Portuguese term describing private landholdings used for farming or raising livestock. They assisted in the development of their parent missions.
| Name | Image | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Marcos Estancia | c.1800 | near Santa Ynez 34°32′50″N 119°52′40″W / 34.54722°N 119.87778°W |
Nonextant. Estancia of Mission Santa Barbara. Little else is known.[13][14] | |
| San Francisco Xavier Estancia | 
|
1804 | Castaic Junction 34°25′58″N 118°36′19″W / 34.43278°N 118.60528°W |
Nonextant. Estancia of Mission San Fernando Rey de España. |
| San Bernardino de Sena Estancia | 
|
1819 | Redlands 34°02′40″N 117°13′15″W / 34.04444°N 117.22083°W |
Estancia of Mission San Gabriel Arcángel. The reconstructed buildings serve as a museum. |
| Santa Ana Estancia | 
|
1817 | Costa Mesa 33°40′23″N 117°56′13″W / 33.67306°N 117.93694°W |
Also known as the Costa Mesa Estancia. Estancia of Mission San Juan Capistrano. The Diego Sepúlveda Adobe serves as a museum. |
| Las Flores Estancia | 
|
1823 | Camp Pendleton 33°17′59″N 117°27′39″W / 33.29972°N 117.46083°W |
Estancia of Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. The building is part of a Boy Scout camp. |
Presidios in chronological order:
