Mission San Diego de Alcala

The Mission features several different attractions among its grounds for visitors. The attractions are focused on the site's 250-year history and its religious significance in the Roman Catholic church.

Parish Church

The Mission is centered around its parish church, which is currently active in the San Diego archdiocese. The church offers the holy sacraments to its community and church members, including baptism, confirmation, holy eucharist, matrimony, holy orders, anointing of the sick and penance.

Mass

As an active church, the Mission also holds mass several times a week. On weekdays and on Saturdays, mass is held twice daily at 7:00 am and 5:30 pm. On Sundays, there is a mass in the morning, folk music, congregational singing and a Spanish mass.

National Historic

The original mission was burned in 1775 during an uprising by local natives. The current church, built in the early 19th century, is the fifth to stand on this location. The mission site is a National Historic.

Chapel

The Saint Francis Chapel houses mass a few times a week in Spanish. The chapel was built in the 1970s and donated to the Mission. Inside, visitors can see a set of historic choir stalls that date back to the 15th century.

Artwork

Inside of the Mission church, visitors can see examples of religious paintings and sculptures. Some of the pieces date back to the 15th century.

Bell Tower

The iconic bell tower of the Mission's white façade is another big attraction to see. It's a 46-foot Campanaro or bell tower wall featuring five bells. One bell is original, dating back to 1802. Another one of the larger bells was recast from parts of the original Mission bells.

Archaeological Site

The southern region of the Mission grounds contains what is left of the original convent that stood here in the early 19th century. There is an ongoing archaeological dig here that has yielded artifacts like clothing, tools, weapons and pottery. Items excavated are displayed in the museum.

Casa de los Padres

The Casa de los Padres is a historical display of how the Mission looked when it was first constructed in the late 18th century. Visitors can see an interpretive layout of the rooms of the early founders, complete with historically-accurate furnishings.

Museum

The Mission provides its collection of historical artifacts on display. There are also Kumeyaay artifacts to see, including a hut and a cooking oven.

Meditation Garden

In the center courtyard is a serene meditation garden. It features gorgeous palm trees, a quiet path and colorful flowers.

Gift Shop

The gift shop sells a variety of souvenirs. It also has brochures, maps and other pieces of information that are helpful when navigating the grounds.

Before heading out to Mission San Diego de Alcala, it's important to know the following tips:

• Be sure to check the mass schedule before visiting, especially if there is a holiday coming up.
• During the Christmas and Easter season, the Mission may hold more mass celebrations, religious music concerts and other special events for visitors and church parishioners.
• Take some time to ask questions and get information from the staff at the Mission's gift shop. The clerks working there often are eager to answer visitors' questions and tell them more stories about the Mission.
• To avoid climbing the length of stairs at the entrance, drive up to the Mission's driveway. There may be some parking available if visitors get there early.
• The San Diego Trolley makes a stop near here. Simply take the trolley to the Mission San Diego stop and walk a few blocks to the Mission.
• This Mission is the first stop of the El Camino Real self-guided pathway of California Missions. There are 20 other Missions to see on the historical tour.

The Mission San Diego de Alcala is a place that shouldn't be missed. It's the birthplace of Roman Catholicism in California and one of the most interesting historical landmarks of colonial San Diego.