Historic Missions

Mission Basilica San Diego De Alcalá

10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego

California’s first Mission. Established in 1769 by St. Junipero Serra, it was moved to its current location in 1774. Father Luis Jayme was martyred there in 1775. Today, the Mission is an active parish, administered by priests from the Diocese of San Diego.

Mass Times: Mass times in the Mission Church are daily at 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. (Vigil); Sundays at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and noon. Sunday Masses are also available in the St. Francis Chapel at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (Spanish) and 5:30 p.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturdays from 4-5 p.m. in the Mission Church.

Times Open: Self-guided tours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Sunday. Admission: adults $8; seniors and students $5; children $3. Call (619) 281-8449 (Visitors Center), (619) 283-7319 (office).

St. Thomas Indian Mission

350 Picacho Rd, Winterhaven, CA 92283

The first mission at Ft. Yuma was named Purísima Concepción, established in 1780. It became a U.S. military outpost in the 19th century and was revived as an active mission again in 1919. The current church, St. Thomas Indian Mission, was dedicated in 1923. Today, the mission is San Diego’s eastern-most parish.

Mass Times: Sun. 4:30 p.m. (AZ time)

Times Open: The mission is closed during the week, but staff will accept visitors who make arrangements beforehand by calling (760) 572-0283.

Mission San Luis Rey

4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92057

The “King of the Missions,” the 18th of California’s 21 missions, was founded in 1798 by Fr. Fermin de Lasuén. It reigned above the other missions in terms of size, productivity and population. Today, the Historic Mission adjoins Mission San Luis Rey Parish and is a center for education and retreats staffed by the Franciscans. The Mission Cemetery is still actively in operation and all people of good will are welcomed. The Historic Church, Gift Shop, Coffee Shop and Museum are open seven days a week.

Mass Times: Daily Mass (M-F) at the Old Mission Church is at noon. Sunday Mass is at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Spanish).

Times Open: Open daily from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission: $8 for adults, $5 seniors, $5 youth (6-18 years), active military and dependents are free. Guided behind-the-Scenes tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Mission San Antonio de Pala

11798 Pala Mission Rd, Pala, CA 92059

This mission was founded in 1816 as an “asistencia” (sub-mission) to Mission San Luis Rey. Visitors see the same stone floor, roof tiles, and adobe walls that were put in place more than 180 years ago. Today, the Pala Mission still ministers to the Native American population.

Mass Times: Daily Mass (M-F) is at 8 a.m., Saturdays 5 p.m., Sundays 8 a.m. (English) and 11 a.m. (Spanish) at the San Juan Diego Center.

Times Open: Fridays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The museum and gift shop are only open second and fourth Saturday of the month.

Santa Ysabel Indian Mission

23013 Highway 79, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070

This “asistencia” (sub-mission) to Mission San Diego was founded in 1818. Today, it is a parish of the Diocese of San Diego that still serves Native Americans and others.

Mass Times: Mass is Saturdays at 3 p.m., and Sundays at 8:30 a.m.

Times Open: Daily, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.