History

Learn how the missions came about.

The California Mission Story

Exploring

• The Cabrillo Expedition (1542-1543)
• The Portolá Expedition (1769-1770)
• The De Anza Expeditions (1774-1776)

The California Mission Founders

The California Mission Timeline

Animated California Mission Map

The Russians and Fort Ross

The California Bear Flag Republic

The California Gold Rush

Mission Life

Learn about life during the mission period.

Mexico in the 1700s

The California Presidios

The California Pueblos

Asistencias and Estancias

El Camino Real – the Royal Road

Building the Missions with Adobe

Food in the Missions

Clothing in the Missions

Music in the Missions

Impact on Indigenous People

Fun Stuff

Fun Facts About the Missions

The Most Haunted Mission

Missions in the Movies and TV Shows

California’s Only Pirate

Visiting the Missions with Your Dog

Mission Vocabulary

The California Mission Chatbot

California Mission Quiz

Help Preserve the Missions

The Mission Shop

The 21 California Missions

Complete List of the California Missions

Animated California Mission Map