As a California local, I cannot believe that I’ve gone my whole life without visiting one of the best things to do in San Diego, Mission De Alcalá.
Not only is it inexpensive, easy to get to, and full of history, but it’s also the birthplace of the entire city. The tall bell towers, the adobe bricks, Franciscan architecture, and courtyards transport you to another world, right in the heart of the bustling Mission Valley, San Diego.
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One of the best things to do in San Diego – Mission San Diego de Alcalá
San Diego is packed with crystal-clear beaches, trendy restaurants, theme parks, and world-renowned establishments like the San Diego Zoo. But this city was actually founded long before the Declaration of Independence was even signed. Many students in California are required to learn about the California Missions in 4th grade, but it’s easy to forget that the land we live on has a deep-rooted history. Although the US doesn’t have elaborate palaces like Europe or ancient statues like Asia, we do have places like the Missions.
Visting San Diego and in a Rush?
Here’s all you need for the perfect trip!
Stay: La Valencia Hotel, La jolla, Rancho Bernardo Inn, Rancho Bernardo, Hilton Del Mar, Del Mar, The Catamaran Resort, Mission Beach
Visit: La Jolla Shores, Mission San Diego de Alcalá, Coronado Island, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, The USS Midway, The Star of India, Old Town State Park, Sunset Cliff, Cabrillo National Monument, Gaslamp District
Eat: Callie, Starlight, The Pony Room, The Lafayette, Seneca, Tajima, Lucrezia, Queenstown, Mikes Red Tacos, the Taco Stand
The Easiest Way to get Around: Hop-on-hop-off Trolley ,
The History of California Missions
The California missions are a collection of 21 coastal religious and military outposts originally commissioned by the Spanish Government. The founding of the California missions began seven years before the American Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Spain had traveled through central Mexico and claimed California, all while the French and the English fought for the east coast.
A regime of Spanish explorers and Franciscan friars settled in San Diego, where the first outpost was established. Originally, the structure was built near modern-day Old Town San Diego, but it was moved inland for better farming and to be closer to the Native Kumeyaay people.
The name San Diego comes from the Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno. He named the bay San Diego de Alcalá in honor of Saint Didacus of Alcalá (San Diego), and also after his own flagship. Before European arrival, the local Native peoples called the native village area ‘Kosa’aay’.
From the established mission San Diego de Alcalá, the Friars and Spanish explorers began their conquest to bring Catholicism to the Natives and to establish a military presence on the western coast.
Over 54 years, four forts and twenty-one missions were established along the California coastline, led by Friar Junipero Serra, a controversial figure who was sent to be the primary overseer of the mission project.
Accounts of his actions show that he himself was an outright advocate for peace and serving others, often urging the Spanish authorities to provide better treatment of the Native American communities. However, mistreatment of the Natives did come from the missions. They faced forced baptism, strict confinement, intensive physical labor, corporal punishment, and unfamiliar European diseases.
Over time, the Missions became bases to fight against uprising Natives and Mexicans across California.
Many of these sites have evolved into the state’s major cities, including Santa Barbara, San Jose, and San Francisco. Today, all of these sites are open to visitors under the Missions project run by the Catholic Church. Many of these sites are still used as operating parishes.
Visiting Mission San Diego De Alcalá
Getting to the mission is incredibly easy, located in the heart of San Diego’s bustling Mission Valley. Once you arrive, make sure that you pull into the parking lot with the Mission sign in front. Some maps, like Apple Maps, may have you turn into the nearby Nazarene School parking lot, which is the wrong place to be. If the front lot is full, there are also 2 lots in the back of the Mission; signs should point you in the right direction.
Walk up the stairs to the front of the Mission, right past the bell tower (Campanario), to the covered hall. Lining the walls are statues of former friars and informational plaques about them. Tickets are purchased inside the gift shop on the left side. I highly recommend saying yes to the free audio tour.
Once inside the Mission, there is an array of sights that you can explore. The house of the Padres, this holds the oldest part of the mission and a mini museum about what life as a Franciscan Friar looked like.
The Mission church, which still holds regular Mass to this day, has two sections. The Altar at the front, with the Reredos to hold statues, a Crucifix, and a red and yellow canopy or umbraculum, which signals the Mission is a Basilica. The back section holds the baptistry. The baptismal font is a copy of the one used for the baptism of Friar Serra in Mallorca, Spain. Right above is a large statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the confessional booth is across.
The Grounds outside hold four other sections. The meditation gardens have the best view of the bell tower (or the Campanario) that rings regularly to call people to events or prayer. Statues of St. Joseph, St. Francis, St. Anthony, and St. Junipero are located throughout the gardens and are tucked underneath the lush trees.
In one of the alcoves is a Pietà statue tucked away.
The first Pietà was carved by Michelangelo, depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus. The original is housed in Saint Peter’s Basilica, while the Vatican cast 100 precise, one-to-one, life-size replicas of the original masterpiece. These were placed in prominent cathedrals, churches, and educational monuments so that people around the globe could admire the original work.
In the springtime, the gardens are in full bloom with an exceptional number of roses. The courtyard is used regularly for events and has a newer fountain. The Convento are the archaeological ruins and remains of where the priests and guests used to live. Now it is simply a dug-up pit, but it used to hold a kitchen, sleeping quarters, and an office space.
What I love about Mission San Diego de Alcalá
The History:
It’s so cool to me that in the midst of such a busy city, we would have such an old, historical site.
Especially since the East Coast is packed with pre-Revolutionary War artifacts and buildings, being able to casually see something over 250 years old is incredible.
The Architecture:
Although I much rather prefer gaudy, maximalist architecture, seeing the plain Franciscan style is fascinating to me. It’s rooted in the ideals of striving for a humble and simple lifestyle, and yet the entire building feels more grandiose than what I see on the day-to-day.
The Gardens:
Agriculture in Southern California is very specific and done very well throughout the Mission De Alcala grounds. The mix of succulents, trees, palms, grasses and flowers is similar to that of a botanical garden.
What I didn’t love about Mission San Diego de Alcalá:
It’s primarily a rebuild:
Some of the cornerstones are original, and there are the ruins to explore, but knowing it’s a 20th-century reconstruction does take some of the initial charm away.
Its not the most impressive mission:
This is more of a personal bias but I find Mission San Juan Capistrano significantly more fascinating and fun to walk around than the Mission San Diego de Alcalá.
San Diego de Alcalá is very small in comparison to a few of the other missions, and has less to explore in hindsight.
Visiting Mission San Diego de Alcalá FAQ:
How much does it cost:
Fees for adults are $8 per person; Military $5; Seniors (55+) $5; Children (12 and under) $3.
You pay inside the gift shop; they take cash and card.
Best time to visit San Diego:
May gray and June gloom, as the locals call it, is a very real thing.
For the best Hot weather, July and August are always good but the busiest. My favorite time of year for crisp, warm weather and fewer crowds is September – October
Springtime can be unpredictable with potential rain, marine fog, and cool air.Winter is cool and sunny, with daytime temperatures staying around 65 degrees.
What are some Popular tourist destinations in San Diego near the mission.
If you are trying to fit the mission into a full day in San Diego, then I would highly recommend visiting Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Old Town San Diego, North Park for trendy bars or dinner spots, and Downtown Seaport Village to maximize your time.
Where to Stay in San Diego:
If you’re looking for where to stay that’s centrally located and makes getting around San Diego easy and accessible, then these are my top picks for you.
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Downtown:
La Jolla:
Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton
Coronado Island:
Coffee Shops in San Diego:
Nearby in Mission Valley are some of my the best favorite coffee shops in San Diego.
Baci Coffee – Specialty Lattes, Signature Pistachio drinks and Pastries
Finjan – Arabic coffee, Pastries and great seasonal menus
Keep Coffee – Amazing Matcha, and garlic cream cheese bagel
i’ll see you,
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