The Chain of 21 missions along the California Coast is a great experience for Rvers. The missions are California's heritage.  The missions brought Christianity, as well as flowers, grains and industry,

Having an RV means you have to be resourceful.  You get to improvise a lot and save a lot too.  Rving to Spanish Missions in Southern California will give you a glimpse of the history of the place: how religion and commerce were introduced.  

What is wonderful about rving to this area is that there is a chain of 21 of these Spanish Missions along the California coastline. You will surely enjoy these witnesses to California’s history.

Founded by the Spanish Franciscan order, these missions are outposts founded to spread the Christian faith. 

The first mission was put up in 1769 in San Diego in Presidio Hill. It is still surviving today as a Catholic parish.  Because of its religious importance now and then it was also designated by the Vatican as a minor basilica.

If you want to visit an authentic restoration, the San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo near Carmel City will fit the bill.  Founded in 1770, it was abandoned in 1834 and later restored in the 1930s.

If you want to feel genuine monastery life, then the San Miguel Arcangel along U.S. Highway 101 is for you.  The mission was sold to private ownership but the Church was returned to the Franciscans in 1928. 

The Nuestra Senora de la Solidad was founded in 1791 in the Salinas river Valley. The priests running it had a hard time but their crops and livestock prospered.  It was later abandoned and then partly restored in 1954. 

Another restored site near the original mission is the San Jose de Guadalupe near San Jose City.  Founded in 1797, it flourished as a mission with large herds of cattle and good harvest of crops. It was restored in 1985 using tools similar to the original.

These missions are a heritage to California’s people and industry.  Many crops, flowers and grain were brought by the priests and new methods of raising livestock were adapted.  Grape growing and wine making are some of the industries introduced by the Spanish missions. They also practiced irrigation for their crops and animals.  The dairy industry can be traced back to them.

Right in San Diego is a park RVer’s will surely like.  The Mission Bay RV Park can accommodate vehicles up to 45 feet long and offers complete amenities.  Accessible to RVer’s are cable TV, Wi-Fi, laundry, café and clubhouses.  If the kids are looking for other activities to burn up excess energy, fishing, boating and bike rentals are available.  Pets are even welcome to the site.*