Jill's Journal: By the 1700s, Spain had claimed a big part of California and established missions along the coast to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism. The “mission trail” going up the coast had 21 missions, all about a hard day’s journey apart. The original trail, called El Camino Real, or The Royal Road, is now loosely Highway 101. El Camino Real was named to honor the Spanish monarchy, who were financiers of California expeditions in a quest to expand their empire. The historic trail is still marked by bells. Even better, several of the original missions still exist. One of them is Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772 and the fifth of the 21 missions to be built.
After Mexico revolted against Spain and won her independence in 1821, all the missions were taken away from the Franciscan friars and secularized by the Mexican government. The San Luis mission was then used as a school, jail, and county courthouse. After California became part of the United States in 1850, the government returned some of the lands back to the church. The town of San Luis Obispo eventually grew up around the mission, which is still recognized as the center of town.
Today the girls and I headed to downtown SLO and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful mission and accompanying museum. It’s sparse but large and still in service today as a church. It’s also unique as the only one of the California missions with an L-shaped nave.
The grounds are absolutely lovely as well.
Jill's Journal: By the 1700s, Spain had claimed a big part of California and established missions along the coast to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism. The “mission trail” going up the coast had 21 missions, all about a hard day’s journey apart. The original trail, called El Camino Real, or The Royal Road, is now loosely Highway 101. El Camino Real was named to honor the Spanish monarchy, who were financiers of California expeditions in a quest to expand their empire. The historic trail is still marked by bells. Even better, several of the original missions still exist. One of them is Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772 and the fifth of the 21 missions to be built. 
After Mexico revolted against Spain and won her independence in 1821, all the missions were taken away from the Franciscan friars and secularized by the Mexican government. The San Luis mission was then used as a school, jail, and county courthouse. After California became part of the United States in 1850, the government returned some of the lands back to the church. The town of San Luis Obispo eventually grew up around the mission, which is still recognized as the center of town. 
Today the girls and I headed to downtown SLO and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful mission and accompanying museum. It’s sparse but large and still in service today as a church. It’s also unique as the only one of the California missions with an L-shaped nave. 
The grounds are absolutely lovely as well.
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