(This is part of a series, Blogging from A to Z April 2014 Challenge. My theme for the challenge is Quintessential San Diego from A to Z, focusing on those things that are  typical, or perfect, or classic examples of San Diego life. Today is M.)

mission-san-diego-de-alcala
Mission San Diego de Alcala,
Gracia Burnham and Bill

San Diego has Mission Beach, Mission Bay, Mission Boulevard, Mission Center Road, Mission Valley, Mission Village, Rancho Mission Road, Mission Gorge Road. I wonder if visitors to San Diego get confused by all the “Missions”?

san-diego-mission-Mission San Diego History

San Diego Mission de Alcala founded on July 16, 1769 by Father Junipero Serra. The mission has a long and colorful history.

The original mission was on a site overlooking the bay, near where the Presidio is now.

The mission remained at this site for only five years. Because of insufficient water supply, infertile soil and the intimidating presence of the Spanish military on the Native Americans, the decision to move the mission six miles east. The new, and current, site was close to the San Diego River and the Native American villages.

mission-courtyard
Mission Courtyard

Indian Revolt of 1775

In 1775, the newly moved mission was attacked by 800 Native Americans, and sacked. It was a coordinated force of many alliances and villages. For a thorough discussion of this era of San Diego history, see the Journal of San Diego History.

mission-bells
Mission Bells

Mission Bells

One of the bells is original – it is one of the larger bells and it is distinguishable because it has a conan or crown on top of it and is dated 1802. When the King of Spain wanted bells forged for the missions, he required that they have a crown. The other large bell is made up of remnants from the original bells.

Fountain-mission-san-diego
Gracia Burnham and I at the Mission San Diego Fountain

Current Mission Use

The Mission today is an active Catholic Parish in the Diocese of San Diego. Multiple masses are served each week.

The Mission is a beautiful and relaxing place to visit. The courtyards bloom with flowers. Fruit trees abound. The museum is very interesting, too. You can envision a quiet slice of Old California. The Visitor Center, Museum, and Gift Shop is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The pictures in this post were all taken last May when Gracia Burnham, author of In the Presence of My Enemies, visited us. She really enjoyed touring the Mission and museum, too.

You can find the San Diego Mission in Mission Valley, on San Diego Mission Drive, down the hill from Mission Village. You can get there via Rancho Mission Road, off of Friar’s Road. It’s close to Mission Gorge Road. (And about 8 miles from Mission Beach, Mission Bay, and Mission Boulevard. Smile.)

Donna Amis DavisSan DiegoSan Diego A to ZMission San Diego,San Diego(This is part of a series, Blogging from A to Z April 2014 Challenge. My theme for the challenge is Quintessential San Diego from A to Z, focusing on those things that are  typical, or perfect, or classic examples of San Diego life. Today is M.) San Diego has Mission Beach, Mission Bay, Mission...Author of the '60s SURF SHOP MYSTERIES and DIVE SHACK MYSTERIES