The Mission is small compare to others, unfortunately the museum was closed when we showed up, I believe on Saturdays it closes at 3pm, please visit their website for more business hours. The Church was open and the church garden which I took pictures of the garden only. I didnt get a shot of the inside of the church out of respect for the nuns that were in there at the time. Some very good history in the mission, which my family loves hearing. Totally recommend visiting.

It has been a while since I visited this mission. It is quiet and out of the way so is a good place to collect my thoughts and meditate. The gift shop attendants were very kind. The monastery garden is very beautiful.

Beautiful, beautiful place with lots of historical items and info. Just walking around is a treat, but they also still have mass here (currently held outdoors). The actual church/chapel inside is awe-inspiring. Outside, it feels almost tropical with the palm trees and flowers. Also a couple fruit trees. Nice little gift shop. Even a real archeology site just inside the courtyard.NOTES: 1-There is a parking lot visible from the road and steps will take you up. 2-There is a pretty well-hidden driveway just east of that main lot (I had to drive past it once from each direction before finding it). There is drop off up there for those that cant do stairs, and maybe a handful of parking spots. 3-The church and inner grounds close at 3pm Saturdays to get ready for mass.

Having grown up in San Diego, I have been to this mission many times over the years for mass, weddings, baptisms, and funerals. I have always loved it. It’s a simple but well-preserved building in the inside and out with gorgeous grounds. The inside still has the original cobblestone floors throughout, too. Choose your footwear wisely before visiting. It is a wonderful place to sit and reflect and pray.

My boyfriend I love visiting the mission. We are on a mission to see all of the missions all over California. Unfortunately when we went it was closed, but the church was open and we got to go inside and we got to go inside and pray. We were able to walk the grounds, but thats it. Love it, and plan to go back when their open!

Very nice place - there is parking up top.. Google maps directed us to a parking lot but you can park up close. Nice place - small charge to tour and very interesting information about the site. Nice place to visit!

Nice staff, we were able to go to the church without paying. Ive been to this mission before and its just beautiful. The entire location was open during the COVID19 pandemic. Very surprised because mission Rey de Francia was closed.

I had fun there looking at the mission i want to go again. It was the best experience i ha at a mission.

It was worth the visit. However, I expected to find more of the original construction. The current building is apparently a reproduction of the original, built in the 1930’s.In general, very good. The museum and the main temple, and the chapel were very organized, everything explained in detail. Also, there is an internal patio/ garden with fountain, where I relaxed while reading a bit of their history.

Beautiful and historic. My friend got married there and it could not have been more perfect. There is a courtyard on the side, pomegranate trees, white adobe walls, brick walkways, etc.

This is the oldest mission in California. Very informative and definitely worth the visit.

Gorgeous spot! Very quaint and serene to walk through.

Really nice place and i hope you visit it and if you do have a great time

Beautiful place!!! I was a little underwhelmed by the church itself, until they said the church grounds are 250 years old this year. The grounds are amazing and the rose garden is stunning ! There is a small museum, a pretty large gift shop, where the women were so knowledgeable and helpful!!! We bought several items from them gift shop.

Very nice place you can tour the grounds for a small fee

Mass in the mission church is something not to be missed by any Catholic visitor to San Diego. The grounds are beautifly maintained and there is lots of signage about the various buildings and artifacts on the mission grounds. The gift shop is full of lovely items to remember your visit or for a special occasion gift.

This was a nice, calm little stroll through history. We stopped and read every sign and saw all there was to see, and were finished in less than 3 hours. It could have easily been a 30 min stop if we had been in a rush, or facilitated a nice picnic spot if we had been with a field trip.

This is a pleasant place to spend an hour or two. Visitors enter through the gift shop. We met two pleasant and well informed ladies working there. The admission charge was small (only $3 for students and seniors). We were given a map and brochure for a self guided tour of the buildings and grounds and could spend as much time there as we liked.

Stopped for a quick visit and a trip down memory lane. As a child I came here often. It is so full of history. Such a beautiful botanical garden and old architecture. Love this

Nice relaxed place, entrance is $5 for Adults, $3 Students

A beautiful outdoor mas in a historic setting.

There are many artifacts present and even an ongoing archeological dig. The meditation garden and sanctuary have a peaceful, sacred feel. Most impressed with the ringing of the mission bells at noon.

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala was stop #11 for us, during the time we came there was a small entrance fee and if you wanted to attend Mass it was being held outside. They do let you know in the entrance that you must wear a mask or you will not be allowed in. If youre going to be in the museum their is a limited amount of people allowed in at a time, which of course people dont pay attention to. So be cautious, if you see too many people just walk out and go back in when it less crowded.This is the first Mission built by Father Junipero Serra. This area was inhabited by the Kumeyaay people. The original mission was burned down during an uprising by the local natives. Father Luis Jayme is one of those killed in the uprising, he currently lies entombed beneath the church floor near the alter. Father Junipero returned to oversee the rebuilding of the Mission.Some very interesting things from this Mission, if youre in the area stop by check out a little piece of History whether you agree with or not.#1 of 21

The Mission Basilica was very Beautiful and Educational. Inexpensive and able to see all within 2 to 3hours and still have fun in San Diego.

Beautiful, peaceful, historical and educational. They have a gift shop where you pay 5 dollars to get in and they give you a map with other info. You walk around to the different sections including a rose garden. Nice place for photos. Just be careful walking around in their uneven bricks, especially little kids.

I love this Mission. Just as a heads up there is an admission fee but its not much for the beauty and spiritual pilgrimage it offers. I try to make it down south at least once a year to say a few prayers and pick 1 pomegranate off the tree.

This place is real old history. I would vote it a must.It is a working church. If you have small children make sure to visit in the week they are rested snd fed out of respect to view all.areas.You will love all you see with your money supporting spiritual and other good things

This I believe is the oldest mission in California, it is a few miles outside San Diego but well worth a visit. There is not much to see inside, but as you can see from pics interesting building from the outside.

Beautiful Peaceful Sunday 730am Mass. Aloha and Welcome Rev. Raymond Philip Napuli, he is a blessing. He made us Heartfelt cried and tears from his past August 2020 Sundays Sermon Homily.

Small little mission when compared to others with little in the way of interaction. However the mission is well maintained and is beautiful to visit.

You really felt like you were in a piece of San Diegos history I was born and raised in San Diego and places like these make you feel connected to your lineage I love the old church I took lots of pictures and had a great time.

Beautiful mission--the oldest in California. Well worth the visit.

Its amazing that this mission is 250 years old! This is one of many missions dotting all around the state of California. Its grounds and the church are brimming with history and rich in culture. The bells are a must visit, along with the gardens.

A beautiful, old, and very historic church, one of the best in San Diego.

Here starts the El Camino Real. Nice church with nice gardens. Use the green line trolley direction Santee to visit.

Very educational. You lean a lot about the history of San Diego and how Catholicism spread throughout the west coast if you do the tour. Its a very Beautiful place.

Beautiful church peaceful got that old Missionary feel its a must see definetly. Gorgeous absolutely

Beautiful place quiet tranquil architecture is wonderful must see.

Beautiful spot, rich in CA history. The missions are an integral part of CA history, and San Diegos was the very first. Founded in 1769, the 250th anniversary is right around the corner. There is the a lot to see as you wander the picturesque grounds... the chapel, a restored Padres quarters, the museum, meditation garden, bell tower, etc. Very interesting, educational. Worth a visit!

I been doing all the south missions and still have to say each one I visit makes you go back to that era in time. This is the first one build or establish its a little more simple to all the other ones. It has a beautiful garden with different types of flowers and plants. There are many workers that keep the place clean and really presentable. The museum is a really great addition as well. Its small but it has so much history to offer.

Loved this place! That being said, we travel looking for places of history of the Catholic Church. This mission was founded by Saint Junipero Serra.

It was nice and Beautiful. When We got there, they were having Mass. Message was based on the periodical son. Though perhaps one of the smaller ones Ive been to. Still the facade is Beautiful

Beautiful place and I love the history. While we were there, someone was having a wedding.

Great Church with many friendly and welcoming parishioners! They have Masses on Sunday every hour beginning at 7am through 12pm (9:00 a.m. Folk Music - St. Francis) Californias 1st Mission is beautiful and has some nice things to see starting at the gift shop! Come visit today!

Lovely experience! It was like those Mexican churches in Michoacán.

Between 1769 and 1823, the Spanish built 21 missions in a chain that stretched from San Diego to north of the San Francisco Bay in an attempt to colonize Alta California. San Diego de Alcalá was the first. The missions were approximately 30 miles apart, which was considered a one-day’s journey on horseback. The road connecting the missions was known as the El Camino Real.

The oldest mission in San Diego...its a great scenic landscape...a photo shows pictures of parishioners since Covid 19..pasted on praying benches...Its a lifetime of changes...follow guidelines and be safe my dear friends and travelers ...Thank You for viewing ...D Third Eye

Very cool place if you enjoy old churches. Tons of history and very calming to walk around in.

Very nice wander around...

A hidden gem to visit in San Diego if you want something spiritual refresh for your trip. They have services every hour on Sunday from 7-12. The garden is lovely with rose bushes and trees. You can check out the backyard and learn about the early days of the Mission. People here are just friendly and willing to give you a welcoming smile every time. Everytime we attend the mass hear is a pleasant experience connecting to God.If you dont believe in God, just come and enjoy the structures, garden and get some peaceful time there.

Amazing! One of the first structures built in California mass was great got to go to confession as well.

A nice mission. Very well kept. Volunteers are nice. They do charge you to walk through the mission yourself. Adults are $5 and kids ages 6-12 are $2. Students & seniors are $3. I was a little surprised as I hadnt read anywhere prior that there was an admission fee. I was happy to pay it since I know it supports the mission. Small little walk thru the mission. Garden is beautiful. The kids enjoyed it.

A truly wonderful museum of California history. My adult kids loved it! (Also a great Pokémon game stop)

Beautiful location for my in laws 50th wedding anniversary celebration mass.Handicapped parking is in the back, but the very old brick floors were quite uneven and bumpy for a wheelchair. Thankfully there were ways to get to every part of the church without stairs. Thanks to the gift shop manager for the guidance!

Beautiful historical site full of deep Californian heritage.

The birthplace of California. A great way to start once visit to San Diego. It only takes about an hour to tour but well worth the visit

I went there with a group from Expanding Horizons Day ProgramAnd they were super friendly and very helpful explaining all about the mission and giving me pamphlets so I could give my group an informed and educated tour. So neat to imagine what it was like for them back then and very educational and fun too!!! I recommend going and giving a tour of your own to your favorite people

This is an amazing part of San Diego and California history. Beautiful grounds. Amazing history. We came with a school group and enjoyed a docent led tour. She was a wealth of information.. The kids were riveted. Parking is fair. Bathrooms available. Small museum covers lots of history...from native American to Spanish explorer to missionaries.

Beautiful mission and church. Nice area.

Good place to rest and pray

Last mission to visit but the first one that was built in Alta California (as it was known to the current California when it was a Spanish colony and then Spanish territory) was exciting and a lot of learning to visit the 21 missions.

Although this mission is not very big, its very peaceful and representative of Spanish style mission, I like it very much and spent almost 3 hours here.

Open for prayer and beautiful serene gardens with benches for prayer and meditation

Incredible! You can even view it at night.

The Mission is a mystery. Archeology there is haulted. Some treasures service, but the founding Catholic monk was beaten to death and the mission was burned.

The church was perfect. Beautiful gardens and well maintained property.

Very beautiful and peaceful place to visit and reflect on life.

The best place ever

Absolutely beautiful. the history is so interesting. it is the only mission i’ve been to but now i’m definitely interested in going to more. admission is pretty cheap and very affordable, they give you a map of the loop you can go through, and the views are amazing

Very peaceful, serene, and steeped in history. It is the perfect place to sit and take it all in.

Amazing and finally came back after 15 years. 1st attempt couldnt find it and under time constraint.

So full of history...

Wonderful place to visit. Very peaceful and relaxing. The museum had great artifacts and was well catalogued. Its a self tour so your not rushed however no staff on site for questions.

Peaceful and beautiful.

Its my pleasure to see this nice and educational place. Absolutely bring my family and friends. God bless us all.

The place is interesting, and a lot of history has happened here, but unfortunately very little remain from the original mission, most of it is rebuilt. Still a nice visit.

This is a beautiful mission. I loved the stroll along the grounds and seeing the beautiful plants and flowers along paths.

Easy parking and cheap admission with lots to look at. I enjoyed the place because of how packed full of artifacts and the corresponding signs it was. Easy to go for as much time as you want. You can spend as little or as much time as you want plenty to look at and read and great place for some photos.

Nice mission, lots of history, very well kept. Easy to find and central

Great history. Took my 10 year old and had a good time

Awesome place to look through history. Very calming experience if you come on a weekday more personal

Beautiful and peaceful.

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city and want somewhere different and piecefull then this is the place to be.Nice and cool in the Summer months.

Great historical site to visit with the family. Father Bill is great. I highly recommend mass with Father Bill.

Enjoyed the visit. Its interesting to learn about the earliest European history of San Diego

Good mass today

Beautiful place full of history. They have a lovely assortment of artifacts in the museum, and beautiful mass services.

What a treat it was to visit. Lovely historic church with beautiful gardens. We were there for a.wedding and were very happy this church performed the ceremony.

Beautiful and peaceful. Nice employees. Well worth the small admission fee of around 4 bucks. Cute little gift shop.

One of my favorite churches. Have always loved coming here for mass and Christmas concert...its beautiful

So serene.

This is the oldest mission in San Diego it helps people its blessed its where the holy people are you really want to experience you could experience go there go there to meditate go there to just chill theres a lot of visitors there though now theyre charging or something but its okay its just another Catholic Church but it will tell you a long history San Diego I bet its beautiful like at at Christmas time well theyre going to have a bizarre pretty soon and the nuns live there still the thing about Mission churches you have to be careful they did the Spanish that attack the Indians these Indians are Mexican Indians theyre not the real Indian DEC kumeyaay it came from Mexico real Native Americans live in Arizona New Mexico Colorado and Utah have you really want to see an Indian got to go up to Flagstaff Arizona Bar Phoenix Arizona they dont hang out down there so enjoy if you go see the mission

This is one of my favorite churches in San Diego, I loved to go there on Sundays and listen the mass service, The place itself is beautiful, it has gardens,and a museum.

Loved how you can connect with California history. The gift shop was great.

A pleasure visiting this mission, so much history. Lovely and peaceful atmosphere!

Nice simple venue for a wedding, acoustic was good, the priest was awesome but not sure he was local

It so beutiful i was lucky to have this mission as my project for school

Great place to a couple hour tour off. I was very impressed!

Californias first Catholic church( mission) built by Father Serra. It is very well preserved and still active. You can get married there! They have lovely tours to tell you all about it, its historical significance and the like. Try not to go on a Sunday unless you are going for services. They also have a lovely gift shop.

Love this Catholic Church. First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Holy Mass at 5:30 PM, is very wonderful for souls getting out of work who love to attend daily Mass. Great place to worship our Lord.