Missions of San Francisco Bay

Legendary explorer Lt. Col. Juan Bautista de Anza completed a 1,000-mile journey from Sonora, Mexico, crossing the Mojave Desert with the first settlers, to San Francisco�s pristine harbor. Fr. Francisco Pal�u celebrated the dedication of Mission San Francisco de As�s on June 29, 1776. First established to protect Spain�s interests in Alta California from foreign ships, California�s landmark buildings are featured here with newly discovered photography depicting a romantic era of colorful Spanish conquistadors, Franciscan padres, and mission Indian neophytes from 1769 to 1823. Explore the heritage of California pioneers� first communities and the 21 California Spanish missions of adobe, stone, and tile that are considered architectural wonders that have captured the imagination of visitors and historians over centuries.