Mission San Gabriel Arcángel

 Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, the fourth of the missions,  was founded on 8 Sep 1771 by Friars Somera and Cambon. It is the home of the Campo Santo, the first cemetery in California.  A large cross marks the final resting place of over 6000 neophytes as well as many Franciscan Priests. 

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel

Wikipedia has an interesting article on this mission, which discusses whether the local people were in fact indoctrinated and used as slave labor.  Like so many early settlements in California, this is an issue and some missions and settlements were worse than others.  

Wikipedia Mission San Gabriel Arcángel

The mission was secularized with the end of the Spanish rule of Mexico.  For a time in the 1850s it became the home of a rather notorious saloon.  In the 1860s the chapel was used as a local parish.  In 1908 the Claretian Missionaries took over the grounds and worked to restore the buildings.  Today the grounds are open for all to see.  There are some great exhibits including indoor and outdoor kitchens, a winery and vats for candles and more.

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CALIFORNIA REGISTRER HISTORICAL LANDMARK #158 old mission site #   161           

SB - Assorted State Beaches

 These Beaches are ones I visited but they seemed so much like others they don't really warrant a post.  So Here is one post for all of them.

Moonlight State Beach - San Diego County

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San Elijio State Beach

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Cardiff State Beach

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South Carlsbad State Beach

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Carlsbad State Beach

Leucadia State Beach

San Buenaventura State Beach

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Point Loma Lighthouse - Old and New

Located within the Cabrillo National Monument Point Loma Lighthouse was built in 1854. In 1855 they installed a Third Order Fresnal Lens which was first lit on Nov 15 of that year.  The light was visible for up to 28 miles, except on Foggy days.  It guided the way for the next 36 years.

The Lighthouses of Cabrillo National Monument

Old Point Loma Light - San Diego History Center

Unfortunately fog and low clouds often obscured the light at the top of the hill and in 1891 the light was extinguished as the keeper moved with his wife and family to the new lighthouse at the bottom of the hill

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Frog Ladder

 

Mission San Fernando Rey de España

Mission San Fernando Rey de España was founded on Sept. 8, 1797, by Franciscan Friar Fermin Lasuen.  It was the seventeenth mission in the system filling a gap between San Buenaventura and San Gabriel.  The day I visited there was a Paladin  impersonator taking pictures in rooms where Have Gun Will Travel scenes had been filmed.  

   San Fernando Rey de España 

Much of the mission was intact with some really great exhibits through out.  From baskets and pottery of the indigenous people to a great wine cellar and  carpenter and blacksmith shops.  The  include a memorial to Bob Hope who was a great supporter of the mission.  His buried here with members of his family.

Wikipedia - San Fernando Rey de España 

San Fernando Rey de España 

                   

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CALIFORNIA REGISTRER HISTORICAL LANDMARK #157  

Sketches - Patrons of the Missions - Norman Neuerberg Cal State Irvine 1952 - at Mission San Fernando.

 Plaster cast Models of Missions at Mission San Diego

CSHP - Old town San Diego

A visit to San Diego Old Town State Park, after Kailee's wedding in October, was perfect timing for viewing all the Day of the Dead decorations.

 Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

There are a number of old buildings and museums to visit, but be forewarned if you expect to eat there is little but Mexican food.

 

When Sean and Nikki got married in 1998 the family all stayed in old town....so this  was my second visit.

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Map of Ranchos of San Diego County - at Mission San Diego

SB - Carpenteria

 Carpenteria State Beach is twelve miles south of Santa Barbara.  It's name came from the Portola Exploration of 1769, when members of the expedition named it La Carpenteria, the Carpenter Shop, because the Tomol canoes being constructed by the local Chumash peoples.  The beach is known for it's tidepools, surf fishing, terraced bluffs, dunes and swimming opportunities.

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Carpenteria State Beach 

Birdhouses

 

Not even a Mouse