History trail
California Mission Trail
The 21 Spanish missions of El Camino Real trace the founding of California up the coast — adobe walls, bell towers, and gardens, each a day’s ride from the next.
Why do it
El Camino Real, mission by mission.
A 600-mile thread of the state’s oldest buildings, from San Diego to Sonoma, linking the coast’s prettiest towns along the way.
The essential stops
Where to stop on the Mission Trail.
01Mission San Diego de Alcaláthe first of the 21, founded 1769CA02Mission San Juan Capistranothe “Jewel of the Missions,” famous for its swallowsCA03Mission Santa Barbarathe “Queen of the Missions,” twin bell towersCA04Carmel MissionFather Serra’s burial place, on the Monterey PeninsulaCA05Mission DoloresSan Francisco’s oldest buildingCA
Plan the trip
Build your Mission Trail trip.
Use the trail guide on the web now, then join the iOS beta list for verified check-ins, shared trips, badges, and your growing map.
Build a trip around a trail like this.
Save catalog-backed stops to My Trips on the web now. The iOS beta is testing the on-road companion: verified check-ins, badges, shared trips, and your growing map of America.