Accomplished Mission

A Visit to Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside

Coastal breezes blow and church bells toll as you approach Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside, a peaceful and serene national historic landmark and crucial piece of early California history. Begin your visit by taking a self-guided tour through the mission museum. The tour starts with a glimpse at what life was like for the Luiseño Indians, the natives who lived here before the mission was built, and then proceeds through the creation of the mission and its history to date.

Stroll through the grounds of the mission to see the cemetery (like the mission, it dates back to 1798) and the church, pausing to admire the Spanish Colonial architecture and the intricately hand-painted designs on the structures. The oldest pepper tree in the whole state can be found growing in the courtyard near the welcome center, planted there by the original mission friar back in 1830.

The 56 acres surrounding Mission San Luis Rey are also worth exploring. Head across the grassy lawn adjacent to the parking lot, passing by the old soldier barracks from a period of US government occupation during the Mexican–American War, and walk through the old adobe and clay archways. The other side feels like a California-style secret garden filled with prickly pear cactus, lupine, and palm trees. As you walk along the half-mile nature trail, keep your eyes open for wild rabbits and hummingbirds. The trail will take you past the old mission kiln and the impressive lavanderia where mission inhabitants would do their laundry and bathe. For more than 200 years, Californians have walked on those same steps. You’ll feel that history—and hear ancient echoes in the mission bells.

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is at 4050 Mission Ave. in Oceanside. From I-5, take CA-76 east about 4 miles and turn north on Rancho Del Oro Dr., which leads directly to the mission. The mission and museum are open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors over 65, $3 for ages 6 to 18, and free for ages 5 and under. Parking is free. The grounds (except cemetery) are dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  3. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  4. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View
  4. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View