Monument to a genocidal freak who set up his own gulags for California Natives. For real, those missions have mass graves.They dont mark the path and they let nature grow a little wilder here. That is really good because most people will not see this ugly statue to Serra behind the trees. In time, nature will wipe this nasty stain from the history of decent people.The views from here are nice, but there is no reason to have Serra here. Its the past now, we have moved on to the future.

Cool statue at a rest stop. Worth a stop. Sometimes the gate to the statue is closed. Just so you know.

Under construction and still very clean nice place to rest.

Beautiful rest area with amazing views. Father Junipero Serra is pretty cool statue too!

A local landmark statue of the Spanish missionary Junipero Serra who founded the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco. Acting according to his mantra of Always go forward, never go back, he points ahead.The statue was created in 1975-76, a labor of love for the local designer/builder Louis DuBois.The application of the plaster onto the metal frame was given to specialists Alfred Rufino and his colleague Mario - see more below.Often the victim of pranks where he is dressed in hats, shirts, garlands, etc.Stop at the rest area (northbound only) to walk up to him and get a closer look.- - - - - -“Louis DuBois, a retired contractor, started work on the iron reinforcing-framework and wire-mesh covering of the head and a pointing arm at his home [in] San Carlos, in July [1975]. He began the foundation and heavier structural framework on the body of the statue in September, working from a 22-inch high model he had constructed earlier. I hope my part is done by the end of December”, the 40-year Bay Area resident said. When the framework is done, he said, Steven Daniels of Fremont is to apply the plaster with a special gun, much the same as ferro-cement boats are coated. Everyone hopes the statue will be completed in time for the DeAnza Bicentennial Celebration next spring. Ive been interested in mission history for a long time,” DuBois said in explaining why hes doing this at his own expense and putting the names of the nine missions founded by Father Serra in the concrete foundation of the statue. He estimated his cost in the neighborhood of $2000”. When the statue is finished the historical society will make an official presentation of it to Caltrans. DuBois, 65, is an accomplished sculptor and painter and has been an artist all his life. His best-known work locally is a bust of Sir Francis Drake at the Golden Hinde ship exhibit last year at Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco. He is the father of six and grandfather of 14.”-- Extract from The San Mateo Times, 30th Oct 1975.This statue was built in the 1970s by my late husband Alfredo Ruffino. He always laughed about the weirdness of the design - but it was the one he was given to build. He was a stucco contractor not a statue contractor, but he got the job and did it as drawn - except for the face. Theres much leeway in creating a face and he gave the job to his trusted employee Mario. He always laughed about the fact that the Father looks just like Mario!-- Norma C. on Yelp, 2016

Good view

Special landmark both controversial because of who Junipero Serra was and historical yes

Nice and quiet place to rest from driving.

It smelled like there was a gas leak

He points at you when you drive by on 280.

Nice place!