When we decided we were moving to California a big part of the reasoning was that we would never regret going, because we could always come back, whereas we might regret not going. So we moved out here with the possibility that this is temporary in the back of our minds and are therefore determined to make the most of our time here, be it 2 years or 50.

One thing I absolutely want to see during our time here are the Spanish Missions. I love the early Spanish colonial style that many of them are built in, as well as the history and Mexican influences. My plan is to teach myself and the kids California history as we journey through all 21 Missions!

I’ll update this page as we visit each one and also do a more in-depth look in a blog post. I’ll make sure the visiting hours and rates are correct when I enter them, but they could be subject to change! Hopefully this guide will help some people check them off their list alongside us!

Basilica San Diego de Alcala, San Diego

Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Carmelo, Carmel

San Antonio de Padua, Jolon

San Gabriel Arcangel, San Gabriel

San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo

San Francisco de Asis, San Francisco

Our first visit to a California Mission! Details in its own blog post.

3321 16th St., San Francisco CA 94114

Hours:

• 9am-4:30pm, May 1-Oct 31; 9am-4pm, Nov 1-Apr 30 
• 9am-noon, Good Friday; 9am-4pm, Holy Saturday
• CLOSED, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, New Year’s Day

Entrance fee:

• Adult, $7
• Senior Citizen, $5
• Student, $5, Children under 5, Free

San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano

Santa Clara de Asis, Santa Clara

San Buenaventura, Ventura

Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara

Full details can be found here.

2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Hours:

• 9am-4:15pm
• CLOSED, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day

Entrance fee:

• Adult, $9
• Youth 5-17, $4, Children under 5, Free
• Senior, $7

La Purisima Concepcion, Lompac

Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, Soledad

Full details can be found here.

36641 Fort Romie Road, Soledad, California 93960

Hours:

• 10am-4pm, Daily
• CLOSED, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, New Year’s Day, Easter, 4th of July

Entrance fee:

• Donation Only

San Jose, Fremont

Full details can be found here.

43300 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539

Hours:

• 10am-5pm, M-F
• CLOSED, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, New Year’s Day

Entrance fee:

• Adult, $5
• Student, $3

San Juan Bautista, San Juan Bautista

San Miguel Arcangel, San Miguel

Full details can be found here.

775 Mission St, San Miguel, CA 93451

Hours:

• 10am-4:30pm
• CLOSED on major holidays

Entrance fee:

• Adult, $5
• Child 5-17, $3, Child under 5, Free

San Fenando Rey de Espana, San Fenando

San Luis Rey de Francia, Oceanside

Santa Ines, Solvang

 San Rafael Arcangel, San Rafael

San Francisco Solano de Sonoma, Sonoma