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The original 1774 adobe walls and beams survived an Indian attack, a military occupation, earthquakes, and years of neglect. Padres lived simply and with few comforts.

The width of a mission church was determined by the size of available beams. Restored to specifications of a former 1813 church on this site, the church features adobe bricks, the original floor tiles, and wooden door beams.

This 46-ft (14-m) belltower defines California mission architecture. Two of the bells are considered originals, and the crown atop one bell signifies it was cast in a royal foundry.

Although it no longer contains real graves, this is considered the oldest cemetery in California. The crosses are made of original mission tiles. A memorial honors Native Americans who died during the mission era.

Four statues of St. Anthony of Padua, patron saint of the Indians, Father Serra, St. Joseph, saint of Serra’s expedition, and St. Francis oversee the inner garden.

Artifacts here include records of births and deaths in Father Serra’s handwriting, the last crucifix he held, and old photos showing the extent of the mission’s dereliction prior to restoration efforts.

Taken from a Carmelite monastery in Plasencia, Spain, this small chapel features choir stalls, a throne, and an altar dating from the 1300s. The choir stalls are held together by grooves, not nails. The raised seats allowed the monks to stand while singing.

Exotic plants add to the lush landscaping surrounding the mission. With few indigenous Californian plants available, missionaries and settlers introduced plants from all parts of the world, including cacti from Mexico and aloes and bird of paradise from South Africa.

On November 5, 1775, Indians attacked the mission. A cross marks the approximate spot where Kumeyaay Indians killed Jayme, California’s first martyr.

Also called the Royal Road or the King’s Highway, this road linked the 21 California missions, each a day’s distance apart by horseback.