Founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1769, San Diego was the site of the first of twenty-one California missions. |
The missions were located along the first highway, El Camino Real, & extended as far north as San Francisco and Sonoma. |
The Franciscan priests were sent by Spain to colonize and Christianize the Native American people
of
California. Many of these people died as a result of the harsh life at the mission.
