Address:
4050 Mission Avenue
Phone:
(760) 757-3651
Hours:
10am to 4:30pm
Cost:
Adult: $4
Official Site
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Overview
 San Diego’s Spanish heritage is preserved in its beautiful missions. Located about 30-minutes north of downtown, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is the largest and richest of all 21 California missions. Often referred to as the “King of Missions”, San Luis Rey is one of the four missions located in San Diego.
This tranquil house of worship is now home to a museum, a lavanderia, picnic gardens, a retreat center, conference rooms and a gift shop. It was founded in 1798 by Padre Fermin Francisco de Lausuen, successor to Padre Junipero Serra.
By the early 1800s the mission became the home of approximately 3,000 Luiseno Indians who were converted by the Spanish Franciscans. Just 32 years after it was established, the mission became the largest building in California.
Visitors can walk through the Sunken Garden and imagine life as one of the Friars who lived here long ago. Visitors are free to roam the grounds daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm. General admission is $4, families are admitted for $12 and it’s free for kids under 7.---Words
and photos by Michael Rando
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