Rating: A+ for historical, educational, cultural, beautiful, archeological
Ages: 3 to adult
Directions: Take the Mission Street exit off U.S. 101 North, turn toward the mountains, staying on Mission Street until you see signs for the Mission
Contact: 682-4149/www.sbmission.org or www.californiamissions.com

Season: Not recommended in rain, but possible! Considered the “Queen of the Missions” because of its beauty and the quality of its restoration, it was founded in 1782 by Father Junípero Serra. With its world-famous twin bell towers, it boasts of a stone facade patterned after an ancient Latin temple in pre-Christian Rome. The design is traced to a book brought to California by the Franciscans – a Spanish reprint of an architecture book originally published in 27 B.C. The tenth of 21 missions built in California, it is the only one continuously occupied and used since its founding. Visit the gift shop and museum. There is a nominal fee for the museum. Wander through the gardens behind the Mission. Check out the cemetery behind the Mission, including the grave of “Juana Maria,” the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island who was romanticized in the Newberry Medal winning book Island of the Blue Dolphins. She spent 18 years alone on the island 38 miles offshore. Put your hand in the fountain. Take a quiet moment for prayer inside the church. Cross the street and chase your little one across the huge lawn, or stroll through the fragrant rose garden. Take the short hike up the hill to the old jail and ruins.