A Brief History of Mission San Miguel
Established as number 16 out of 21, Mission San Miguel has a unique feature: its interior murals, initially painted in the 1800s by Catholic Salinan
Join us in supporting all initiatives to scout, map, mark, certify, sustain, and promote the California Missions Trail: an 800-mile route rooted in the past that provides spiritual, recreational, and economic benefits for the future.
Change the way you see the trail
Visit our bookstore for a good read about walking the California Missions Trail from Sonoma, just north of San Francisco, to San Diego or vice versa. A great way to learn more about the ins and outs of traveling on foot or by bicycle between the 21 Missions.
Buy memorabilia and support the trail
Make a contribution to support the wayfinding and upkeep of the California Missions Trail and receive a token of our appreciation in the form of a map, card, sticker or other memorabilia before, during or after following the mission to mission trail.
Find a gift for a friend or reward yourself
Travel in style with a commemorative bandana, hat or t-shirt from our micro store. All items feature the California Missions Trail logo. Proceeds from contributions support the ongoing development and certification of the trail route.
Which Missions Are In State Parks?
There are almost 300 State Parks in California. Three of them are connected to the historic missions. In Santa Barbara County, there is La Purisima Mission. Santa Cruz County has a mission complex that includes a single adobe building that was once...
A Journey Through California's Past and Present
In his new book, author Sandy Brown names California as the journey's star. With turn-by-turn directions for an epic 800-mile long-distance trail, the author captures a slice of California's unique landscapes, people, history, and cultural heritage..
Something Old, Something New
A Brief History of Mission San Miguel
Established as number 16 out of 21, Mission San Miguel has a unique feature: its interior murals, initially painted in the 1800s by …
A Tour of Early California Architecture from San Diego to Sonoma
The Spanish missions of California represent the state’s oldest and richest architectural legacy. Established in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century by Franciscan …
Mission San Buenaventura
All that remains of the original mission is the church and its garden. A small museum sits at the mission with displays of Chumash …
Guess Who is Walking the Trail from Sonoma to San Diego?
In his latest project, travel guide and author Sanford “Sandy” Brown is making preparations to write a guidebook for the California Missions Trail, the 815-mile walking/biking itinerary…
The Road the Famous Fathers Trod
Postcards from the first half of the 20th century give us a glimpse of the past. The route shown on the postcard below …
La Purísima Mission State Historic Park is within the California State Parks System
Mission La Purísima was originally established at a site known to the Chumash people as Algsacpi and to the Spanish as the plain of Río Santa Rosa, one mile south of Lompoc.
Turn of the Century Drawing of the Mission San Juan Bautista
In the summers of 1880 and 1881, while living in Santa Barbara, California, Henry C. Ford traveled by horse and buggy to each mission. In 1893, he exhibited his mission etchings at the Chicago World’s Fair. He died in 1894, leaving behind his California mission paintings.
Story Map from San Miguel to Ventura
Our interactive Story Map features six missions in the Central Coast area of California. The journey begins with Mission San Miguel and travels approximately 190 miles south to Mission Ventura.
Something Old, Something New
Read More »
A Tour of Early California Architecture from San Diego to Sonoma
The Spanish missions of California represent the state’s oldest and richest architectural legacy. Established in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century by Franciscan missionaries, the
Mission San Buenaventura
All that remains of the original mission is the church and its garden. A small museum sits at the mission with displays of Chumash Indian artifacts
Guess Who is Walking the Trail from Sonoma to San Diego?
In his latest project, travel guide and author Sanford “Sandy” Brown is making preparations to write a guidebook for the California Missions Trail, the 815-mile walking/biking itinerary…
The Road the Famous Fathers Trod
Postcards from the first half of the 20th century give us a glimpse of the past. The route shown on the postcard below has the
La Purísima Mission State Historic Park is within the California State Parks System
Mission La Purísima was originally established at a site known to the Chumash people as Algsacpi and to the Spanish as the plain of Río Santa Rosa, one mile south of Lompoc.
Turn of the Century Drawing of the Mission San Juan Bautista
In the summers of 1880 and 1881, while living in Santa Barbara, California, Henry C. Ford traveled by horse and buggy to each mission. In 1893, he exhibited his mission etchings at the Chicago World’s Fair. He died in 1894, leaving behind his California mission paintings.
Story Map from San Miguel to Ventura
Our interactive Story Map features six missions in the Central Coast area of California. The journey begins with Mission San Miguel and travels approximately 190 miles south to Mission Ventura.