This epic road trip takes the traveler along the El Camino Real to visit it's 21 missions for a religious and historic experience. The traveler can explore the foundations of these Spanish missions that would inspire spiritually and provide a historical perspective on their impact on United States and California history.
Staring in 1769 -1823, these Franciscan missions had a cultural impact on the Native Americans. They also played a significant role in Mexican and United States history as these nations struggled to control the area to become California.
In 1821, Mexico became independent from Spain. To protect there claims from Spanish influence, they passed the Mexican Secularization Act of 1833. All missions would become property of the Mexican government. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (February 3, 1848) after the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), made all missions property of the United States.
With California statehood in 1850, the missions became their property and responsibility. Slowly, these missions have been restored and their history has been documented for all to explore.
The exploration of the Spanish missions of the El Camino Real would start after a day of visiting wineries in the Napa Valley and staying at the Holiday Inn in Napa, CA.
Starting from Napa, CA, drive to Mission San Francisco Solano (California Governor wanted a Mexican presence in the area to keep the Russians from moving inland) in Sonoma, CA, Mission San Rafael Arcángel (hospital to treat sick Native Americans in upper California) in San Rafael, CA, Mission San Francisco de Asís ("Mission Dolores" meaning "Our Lady of Sorrows Creek.") in San Francisco, CA, Mission San José (moved from original site due to Native American attacks) in Fremont, CA, and Mission Santa Clara de Asís (first California mission to be named in honor of a woman) in Santa Clara, CA, Stay at the Holiday Inn in Santa Clara, CA.
Drive from Santa Clara, CA south to the Mission Santa Cruz (on December 14, 1793, the mission was attacked and partially burned by the Quiroste tribe) in Santa Cruz, CA, Mission San Juan Bautista (Native Americans taught to sing using a system of notation that employed color and textures) in San Juan Bautista , CA, Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo(Father Junípero Serra used this mission as his headquarters) in Carmel, CA,, Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (nicknamed "The lonely Mission") near Soledad, CA, and Mission San Antonio de Padua(site of the first Christian marriage in northern California) near Jolon, CA. Stay at the Holiday Inn in Paso Robles, CA.
Starting from Paso Robles, CA, drive to the Mission San Miguel Arcángel (site was chosen specifically because of the large number of Salinan Indians in the area) in San Miguel, CA Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (the only "L"-shaped mission) in San Luis Obispo, CA, Mission La Purísima Concepción (original mission was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812) near Lompoc, CA, Mission Santa Inés (was the first learning institution in upper California) in Solvang, CA, and Mission Santa Barbara (named for the legend of Saint Barbara, a girl who was supposedly beheaded by her father for following the Christian Faith) in Santa Barbara, CA. Stay at the Holiday Inn in Santa Barbara, CA.
Starting from Santa Barbra, CA, drive to the Mission San Buenaventura (a 7 mile system of aqueducts were built by the Chumash to meet the needs of the Mission) in Ventura, CA, Mission San Fernando Rey de España (gold was discover near the mission by a missionary) in Mission Hills, CA, Mission San Gabriel Arcángel (originally planned for the banks of the Río de los Temblores, the "River of the Earthquakes") in San Gabriel, CA, Mission San Juan Capistrano (famous for the legend of the migrating American cliff swallow return there) in San Juan Capistrano, CA, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia (nickname "King of the Missions") in Oceanside, CA, and Mission San Diego de Alcalá (the first mission on the El Camino Real) in San Diego. Stay at the Holiday Inn in San Diego, CA.
After five days of exploring the missions of the El Camino Real it becomes apparent the impact they had on the indigenous people and history of Mexico, California and the United States.