Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa — Attraction in San Luis Obispo

Missions play a pivotal role in California history. They represent a much different time in California, when it was largely Spanish territory. Mission San Luis Obispo is the fifth mission established by Father Junipero Serra September 1 1772.

The mission was discovered in 1769 by Gaspar de Portola who was traveling through the area on his way to rediscover the Bay of Monterey. In 1770, Father Serra founded the second mission, San Carlos Borremeo, in Monterey, which was moved to Carmel the following year. The people faced starvation as supplies dwindled in 1772 at the then four missions. Remembering the Valley of the Bears, a hunting expedition was sent to bring back food in the summer of 1772. Over 25 mule loads of dried bear meat and seed were sent north to relieve the missionaries, soldiers and neophytes (baptized Natives). The Natives were impressed at the ease by which the Spaniards could take down the huge grizzles with their weapons. Some of the meat was traded with the local people in exchange for edible seed. It was after this that Father Serra decided that La Canada de Los Osos would be an ideal place for the fifth mission.

The museum holds a collection of artifacts, including Native Californian, Mission Era, and American settlement. The gardens are an integral part of the Mission campus. The grape arbor is a reminder of the vineyards that once stretched for acres. Over time, cacti, succulents, roses, oaks and citrus have been added by pastors and guests alike. Find a bench, bring a book, take a rest. The Mission gardens are for enjoyment.

I enjoyed my visit to this mission. It is a reminder of a time before automation and modern conveniences such as telephones/cell phones, electricity, stoves, refrigeration, washers and dryers; other things such as grocery stores and malls. You feel the struggles the residents of the area experienced, and gain insight into how the survived the conditions of the time.

The Mission Bells are of interest, it was the main communication device, having different sound for each type of event. It is the only mission who has not automated ringing. I recommend this attraction and all other missions along the coast.

There are other attractions in the area, including a museum and library which documents the history...

To whom it may concern: A church with open arms . A church that is full of light and love. Full of so much life through Jesus. I left a nice review on the cathlioc church charity site as well. I'm a family of 6 and came to seek some help from a church. Unbelievable what I endured and keep enduring through treading this new water of mine with my husband who's deathly ill and our four children. As we need help with assistance you denied everything we need, and wrote checks to ppl who are with mental crisis but not a cancer and special needs family. Very interesting. Sorry not sorry, now I will fully judge these churches who keep pushing us aside. TRULY!! And offer me food and a $15 thrift store voucher for 1 of my children. As I have 4 children. We don't need FOOD or CLOTHES,my husband and children need a HOME to do medical life in and keep a float as we do 911 calls monthly and a ton of medical apts weekly. A life that flips and yet these churches send you down the chain to "another place" that gets donations. Etc. thanks and cheers. Had to share this. It's important. If you send off Tithes to these churches, I would love for you to ask your own church for a mortgage payment, a rent payment something. I bet you will get denied too. It's all a money paycheck for them. Makes me sick. I'm walking this life and man only GOD is with us. And Walking this and he will guide us to the ones who love love love and love like he does. No sympathy here, just raw realness. The truth . Would love to put Cathlioc charities on the news, blast it up. Thanks for this review that I'm able...

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the 5th of 21 missions along the Camino Real, was established by Father Junipero Serra in 1772. As food sources became a real issue for existing missions, Father Serra thought that this area, known as the 'Valley of the Bears' by Spanish explorers, could provide a very reliable meat source for all.

The Mission Church was completed in 1793. By 1800, other adobe structures including housing, a granary and a weaving room were added. Mission records show that by 1804, 832 Chumash neophytes lived at the church.

In its early years, Mission San Luis Obispo was attacked several times by local native tribes. Each time the Mission's roof, made from branches and tule, was burned. Although first used at Mission San Antonio de Padua, the large scale use of the now-famous red clay roof tiles occurred here.

During the 1880's, Mission San Obispo was modernized to reflect a 'New England' church. Wooden sliding and wooden floors were used to cover the original adobe structure. But by 1933, a many year's long restoration project began to return the Mission to its original form. The steeple was removed and a bell tower was rebuilt. Today it continues to serve as a local parish, with the Mission becoming a focal point of downtown San Luis Obispo. This is a gorgeous mission, well worth a dedicated visit if traveling along the...