Which California mission is the most famous?
Which California mission is the most famous? Mission San Juan Capistrano, shown in these photographs, is one of the best-known of California's missions, due in large part to its world-famous population of American cliff swallows that migrate to the region each year for the summer.
Are any California missions open?
The missions were built approximately 30 miles apart—about a day's journey by horseback—covering 650 miles total. All 21 of them are open to visitors and feature a gift shop and museum, and most of them hold mass on Sundays (or even daily).
How many California missions are still active?
There are 21 missions throughout the state and 8 of them are found here in Central California. Of the eight here, three were founded by Fr. Junipero Serra. Of these eight Central California missions, six of them are still functioning as active parishes, their original intention.