mission san luis rey

A peaceful setting if you dismiss the nearby traffic and housing. You can see why they picked this spot with a stream in the meadow, a nice hill top building site. The facade is typical of the Spanish architecture, white and impressive with redwood beams. There is and old pepper tree in one of the courtyards... ask a worker to view it , or go to the bathrooms and look in the courtyard. The cemetery is nicely manicured, but not as intriguing as some of California`s Missions. The tour and shop are worthy. We enjoyed the respite from the traffic and touristy spots at this little piece of eden in the hills.

After just one visit to La Misión San Luis Rey de Francia (named after King Louis IX of France) I would put this one at the top of my list of California missions. I found the building and property to be exceptionally well maintained, and many aspects of the building and grounds had some “wow factor”: the sanctuary, with much more colorful amenities than in other missions; the beautiful cemetery; gorgeous courtyards; and that huge(!) pepper tree, planted in 1830. I wish I could have gotten closer to the tree but the courtyard seemed to be accessible by staff only.In the small museum rooms you will find all the requisite artifacts typically found in missions: Spartan furnishings and everyday items from back in the day. There are also some statues and vestments from previous eras. The only staff-offered tour is on Saturday at 13:00. Otherwise, “self-guided” is the only option. $5 for adults; give yourself about 20-30 minutes to see everything.Walk the entire length of the old mission church sanctuary and note the statues in the transepts. The altar and the wall just behind are also photo-worthy.Walk the entire grounds if you have time. There are many statues and great vantage points for photography or just relaxing in the environment.Notes:* As of late February, the museum portion of the building was undergoing renovation. Staff told me that a couple more rooms were being added … expected opening in late-spring.* There’s a daily mass in the old mission church at noon. True to form, I arrived at about 11:59, and decided to wait around for mass to end (I should have attended, I know). Turns out, mass was over around 12:35.

I grew up going here for projects, cultural awareness events to understand the history, and to see what life and building were like a while ago. It is beautiful and is a must.

This is a beautiful California Mission with a museum tour, gift shop, and grounds to walk on. It is so fascinating, especially the cemetery. The oldest pepper tree is on the grounds and it is huge. It felt like going back in time with all the Franciscan Friars walking around in their brown robes. Truly an amazing place without all the touristy things you normally see at a historical monument. Loved it!

The Mission San Luis Rey was as expected very unique and offered a view of the early missions of California. It was genuine and therefore lacked the tourist expected catering and therefore led to a quick visit.

If you are the least bit interested in history, you cannot leave Oceanside with out visiting Mission San Luis Rey. The mission is over 200 years old. There is a wonderful museum that you go through before entering the mission itself. The church is well preserved and restored. It makes you feel like you can actually go back in time. After you leave the mission, you enter the cemetery where the is a crypt where the friars are buried from years ago. So peaceful. Even though I live in Oceanside, I have to visit the mission at least every couple of years.

A great place to listen to a version of history that might have gone mostly unquestioned maybe 100 years ago. But wow it is really interesting to see fable presented as facts and medevial perspective regarding other humans as "advanced".

We visited the California Mission on January. The main entrance parking was pretty small and full, but were directed to another lot, on the other East side of the establishment, and there was plenty of parking there. We were there to visit the Mission so my daughter could get an on hand experience for her 4th grade Mission project. It turned out to be a wonderful little trip. Online research can't compete with seeing this place in person. The grounds are beautiful, there is a tiny little museum that provided us facts, we found quite useful for the project. Entrance fee for the tiny museum was $5 for kids and $8 for adults at the time we visited. We took some great pictures and the girls really enjoyed the time there learning a little more about the mission, running around the Lavanderia, and realizing that missions actually had graveyards! Listening to the church bells and chasing the rabbits throughout the grounds. They have a little gift shop with some nice items for sale. The day we went they were selling tacos and tamales at the east end of the property and we would have tried some had we not had breakfast firs, but I don't think this is an everyday event. Although they do have a soda machine on the grounds. All in all it was a nice way of spending a Sunday afternoon, and learning a little about the Mission history.

This beautiful Spanish Mission founded in 1798 is set in picturesque grounds. You have an uninterrupted view of this magnificent white Church as you approach it. It was very hot outside, but the temperature inside the Church was perfect. The Church is amazing, and it is adorned with wall paintings, sculptures and paintings. During our visit we were able to listen in to a guide for a group of school children. The Madonna Chapel was especially of interest with its hidden passage ways, staircase and a balcony just for mourners. We were able to take photographs (no flash) in the Church which was good. The comforting sound of the hourly bells is now produced electronically. Apparently, all faiths are welcome to be buried in the adjoining cemetery, with its trees ( the oldest Pepper tree in California) and shrubs. The rolling DVD playing in the museum told the Mission's fascinating history. There is also a gift shop on site. I was in my wheelchair, and was okay in the Church, but other areas were a little tricky to get around. The Mission also has a Retreat Center for those who need some time away from the 'rat race'. What a wonderful place to send some quiet time.

beautiful spot. One of the historical California missions. It has some wonderful history and is still a vibrant church

Is a quick visit...the church is nice...the cemetery interesting, ....but that's about it for that side of town....in and out in one hour

I've visited Mission San Luis Rey several times and never get tired of it. A beautiful building in a lovely setting, with a small but worthwhile museum explaining the encounter between Spanish/Mexican missionaries and native people. The staff are enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

I enjoyed my visit here. The old Mission and its grounds are well kept. We were able to make the 5 PM Saturday Mass and the service was so inspiring because of the sense of community.

We became aware that this mission has a behinds the scenes tour of the Mission into areas not available before, Pepper Tree, Rose Garden, etc. You need to sign up and pay on line for this tour because spaces may not be available when you arrive. The tour is at 1:00pm on Saturday and may start on Sunday shortly. Details are given on the Old Mission San Luis Rey website. The tour is led by Docents that give great information about the Mission and its history. Our tour lasted close to 2 hours and was hosted by one of the Friars living at the mission, to include 2 Docents. All spaces were filled by people wanting to see more than the general areas available. Price listed currently is $10.00 per person, well worth the cost. Some stairs were climbed into the organ loft at the rear of the Mission and if you wanted to visit the Lavanderia. The pace was slow and suitable for most people. HAVE FUN - This is our 17th California Mission Church.

When I reviewed the Santa Buenaventura mission in Ventura that is now a parish church, I commented that the Catholic Church in California looks alive and well. After attending a weekday Mass here, my opinion hasn't changed.