June 20, 2012

the mission san diego de alcala gardens


San Diego de Alcala, the first of the great California Missions, 
marks the birthplace of Christianity in the far West. 
It is California's first church. 

One of my favorite things about visiting
walking through the beautiful
and lush gardens
that most of them feature.  

Perched up on a hill,
the San Diego de Alcala Mission
was the first one built of
the 21 California Missions.

Today visitors can relive the grandeur and excitement 
of more than two centuries of California history and tradition.


The missions were built to be
about a one day journey to the next one,
starting down from San Diego up to Sonoma.  

They are an incredible part of our history
here in California,
with the most famous being
the Mission San Juan Capistrano

where the swallows return every year.  





Here, an old palm trunk is

swallowed up by a gorgeous bougainvillea plant.  




Tall spikes of acanthus flowers 
greet guests at the mission.


The inner courtyard was quiet and peaceful.





Beautiful antique ironwork.







Hanging succulents grow naturally

on the pepper trees. 




Such a lovely spot!






ciao! fabiana


History of the mission via Mission San Diego

2 comments:

A Toile Tale said...

Breathtaking!
Linda @ A Toile Tale

sealaura said...

Gorgeous pictures and definitely the Missions are one of my fave things about California. I've visit the Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and San Juan Bautista. Love all the rich historical places Cali has to offer.

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