A must stop on your Hwy 101 trip just north of Paso Robles. Gorgeous interior with original wall paintings!! This mission is authentic from 1797. It is the 16th mission of the 21 California Missions. $10 every donation for seniors. Definitely worth the fee to help keep this mission intact. read more

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A must see if you're in the San Miguel/Paso Robles area. Quaint California mission along the El Camino Real trail. Off the 101. Beautifully maintained condition 1 of 21 original California Missions. Active community and fully functional Catholic Church with weekly masses and functions for all to enjoy. Stop by. You won't be disappointed. read more

This was my second attempt to visit Mission San Miguel in San Miguel, California. The first time I stop by on my way up the 101 N., they were closed so I would definitely recommend checking the hours of operation before stopping. It was well worth the second trip to see this beautiful mission. It is very well preserved, and there is a lot to see despite its smaller size. The self guided tour is $12 a person and you pay in the gift shop similar to other missions. Parking is limited out front. But this mission is definitely well worth seeing if you are in the area or just a lover of California history. Staff was friendly. And I would definitely return again if I'm in the area. read more

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Man I have been after this place for almost all my life. After seeing this place on a train DVD I own, I thought it would be a great idea to drop by. It is a spectacular place. There is a lot of CA history here. The trick is to immerse yourself in the history and get a feel of the work that Father Junipero Serra has done starting in San Diego. I was really amazed by the architecture this place has. It feels like I have traveled back in time to the good old days of CA. Yes, God is literally watching you. If you go into the main alter area you can see a single eye in which Christians and Catholics call the eye of God. This is also a very large mission as well. I would come again if I could as a visitor. Warning: This is an active catholic church so please be careful coming here on a Sunday because people still use it for mass. read more

Mission San Miguel - Outside - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Miguel, California

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We really liked it. Some of the ruins are still viewable even after renovations It was really nice to be able to appreciate all the history and artifacts. The garden was beautiful to walk through. Overall there is a lot to see and learn especially if you enjoy the history of these missions. My girlfriend was in awe the entire time here appreciating all there is to see. read more

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Mission San Miguel Arcángel is a Spanish mission in San Miguel, California, located approximately half-way between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It served as a resting place for travelers between Mission San Luis Obispo and Mission San Antonio. The Mission San Miguel was the 16th mission founded in the 21 mission chain. The Mission was established in 1797 by the Franciscan order. However the large church and buildings had to be rebuilt in 1818. Reconstruction after a fire, consisted of tiles and adobe blocks, with walls six feet thick. The inside of the church has never been repainted. The pictures and murals we see today are original and considered to be the most authentic and well preserved in the mission chain. The beautiful interior frescos of the church were painted by the Salinan, an Native American tribe that inhabited the area. In 2003, the Central Coast area was hit by a powerful earthquake. The Mission was closed due to many cracks appearing in it's walls. It reopened to the public in 2009. The mission remains in use as a parish church of the Diocese of Monterey. Services continue to be held on Saturday evenings and Sundays. Mission San Miguel Arcángel was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, and was named to a National Historic Landmark in 2006. read more

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Self tour is not huge but nicely plaqued with informative posters. Staffe is nice. Central courtyard and grounds are large, it and cemetery could use some upkeep. read more

Beautiful and got me all In my feels. I highly suggest you check it out if you have any kind of spirituality.

I made a quick stop to see one of the California Missions. I did a quick self-guided tour. There were parts that were closed off to the public...maybe restoration? There were people holding a wedding ceremony in the church. read more

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Historic Mission San Miguel was founded in 1797, by Father Serra and thereafter by Father Laussen (Sp?). Although it is not a working mission it has restoration projects occurring which make the mission worth the visit. Due to a wedding at the church I was not able to get a glimpse but did pay the small fee $5.00/adult for a self guided tour. read more

*Visit was made before lockdown was put in place. Mission San Miguel Arcangel is visit #8 for us. We made a last minute visit here and just had enough time to see the whole grounds. It is a pretty good size and with it's old looking gates & adobe walls it's the most authentic looking Mission in California. After paying the fee and going through the Museum I found a very nice model of the Mission built by the inmates at San Quentin, this project was offered as a rehabilitation effort for the inmates. They had other rooms with different models, pigments, and some 18th century paintings. This Mission has a very large Cemetery, according to the Mission's burial records it holds the remains of more than twenty-two hundred Native Americans. Right there in the cemetery you can see the Bell Wall as well. This is definitely a Mission worth seeing. #16 of 21. read more

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Mission San Miguel might be one of the best all-around Missions for 4th grade students because it has been left relatively unchanged for over 200 years. Upon entering the mission there's a nice courtyard with several exhibits to show what life used to look like for the Franciscans and the local Salinan people. In 2003 there was a major earthquake that caused some pretty significant damage to the church facade. It took three years, and many Italian artisans to repair the mission and reopen it to the public. Mission San Miguel definitely has an old authentic feel to which makes it a stark contrast to some of the other Missions that been heavily restored and maintained. This is the place to go if you want a true mission experience. - Best combination of authenticity, history, and location - Not too far from Paso Robles - Admission $5 for adults and $3 for kids - Bats! Tip - If the parking lot if full, just park across the street. read more

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Mission San Miguel Arcangel founded July 25, 1797 16th in a chain of 21 Franciscan mission. This site was selected because of the great number of Salinian Indians living here. You can take a self-guided tour for five dollars and it's nice to go in to the chapel it's beautiful. Make the stop! read more

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This was a gem. Mission of San Miguel had a beautiful church, lots of history, and a great gift shop. Unfortunately we did not to get to see the entire grounds because it was closed. Had a great picnic on the grounds. read more

Mission San Miguel - Mission of San Miguel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Miguel, California

I love old church... went here and thought we can go in but we didn't get to see the mass inside the church it was already closed when we got in. It was really nice to visit churches like this that has been there so long. read more

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Gorgeous! Made a quick stop here (saw signs on the freeway) on a road trip down south, but arrived too late for any tours. Upon entering the gift shop/entrance area, I was greeted by a staff member who promptly informed me that tours were over (4pm), pointed at the restrooms outside (I didn't even ask- how did they know I needed a quick bathroom break!), and said the gift shop was open a while longer. I didn't browse the gift shop, but saw a few other groups walking around the front area, so I spent a couple minutes looking around as well before using the restroom. The olive press is so cool! Love the architecture and design. Restroom was standard- a spider crawled over my foot, yikes! read more

I am now on a mission to visit all the California Missions. Mission San Miguel is one of the oldest and best preserved missions along El Camino Real in San Miguel just north of Paso Robles. Street parking is fairly abundant, but may be tight during church services. The mission has a small museum showcasing the history of the area and the facility. Like the rest of the mission system, the Spanish church took a hard hand with the local native Salinans. The museum somewhat glosses over this, but it still addresses the issues. The building and architecture are the real stars with a great look and feel. This is a full Catholic Church with religious services and clergy. The museum and gift shop are open most days combined with church services. It is a very short drive from Paso Robles and worth the effort for a classic mission experience. read more

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Quick take: Taking it back to 4th grade history Always love seeing the real thing in person. The only way to understand history is to go see it with your own two eyes. We are very fortunate to have a little bit of history preserved every where we go. I can feel the energy from the past here. This will either inspire people to go visit or get the creeps and say pass. San Miguel is the 16th mission out of 21. $5/adult $3/children $12/family rate read more

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Of all the 21 missions that are standing between San Diego and Sonoma this is my favorite. It seems to be frozen in time. I do hope they never renovate this mission. It is beautiful as it is. It isn't hard to visit this National Historical Landmark. It is right off highway 101. The missions were an important part of the early California history. San Miguel, founded in 1797, is the perfect place to explore some of that history. read more

Mission San Miguel - Side adobe wall and wooden door - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Miguel, California

This Mission is one of the best in some ways, it also lacks in some areas. It's a grand example of the old Missions, it's got an active and vibrant church and is a part of the community. It's a great pit stop if you like California history and it also has nice clean Bathrooms. In the gift shop you can pay for and pick up a pamphlet for the self guided tour. The tour starts from the gift shop through a door that takes you in to the museum. In the museum they have some artifacts and tools of the period. After you go through the museum you'll enter the internal part of the mission. The courtyard which is mostly roped off gives you to get a glimpse of what's inside. Without paying for the tour this would be hard to see but for $3 per person I figure it's totally worth it. Also included are the church and the cemetery but in reality you can walk into those two places with out paying for the tour. you can also use the bathroom and walk around the front. The church has some great fresco, apparently it's one of the only missions that still has the original fresco's still in tact. They are very pretty. This is a great stop if you need a break during a long drive. It's right off the freeway exit and you can spend a few minutes or a few hours. Is quite a large mission and quite picturesque. read more

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This is my favorite of the California missions because of its genuine arrested state of disrepair. It's a gorgeous display of decay that would entice any Hollywood film crew. If this mission were renovated to perfection, I'm sure the parishioners would be pleased but I don't know if it could be more beautiful than it is right now. read more

This is a nice little mission and a cool spot to relax before the rest of the day begins While not as expansive as say a Mission San Juan Capistrano (which I traveled to not long ago) it has a much more genuine quality of being fairly untouched. There are many photo spots including right in the front which has a very neat structure. Within the grounds is a tasteful koi pond. The church itself has a very interesting layout of monuments within it, including an awesome eye within it's wall I was also happy to see a small graveyard to walk within, which offered many photo experiences. They also have a pretty bell tower as well I believe the mission takes donations. I want to say no more than 5.00 a person, perhaps less. It is a very small price to see a little bit of history and just to say you have been there. read more

Mission San Miguel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Miguel, California

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I love this little mission. And we didn't even get to go inside. It was already closed for that day. First, I love that it is not fully restored (what?). The tall church is rather plain from the outside, but has a single story, long building with a row of beautiful archways attached. Its exposed brick, cracked, crumbling walls, beautiful original art, trickling fountain, and cactus gardens are a sight to behold. It is beautiful in its current state, even though I know it must be preserved for future generations. They are working on that. The day we visited, a band of nuns in their black habits had set up table in the parking lot and were fund raising. Mr. B was one of their casualties to their solicitations, they were selling home baked goods to anyone they could flag down as they drove by. He came away with a box of beautiful Mexican pastries and cookies that honestly were some of the best I have had the pleasure of tasting. Wish I could get more. For a small fee, there is a self guided tour of the museum which stays open until 4:30, but the church itself is open to all and still provides daily masses. We did not have to pay to enter the chapel. Inside, the alter and Indian wall art is stunning. Much of the church interior is original, I felt I had stepped back in time. And the grounds surrounding the mission are open to all. Yes, we dared to open the old gates to enter the small cemetery and read the names and dates on the headstones of 19th century pioneers. The most memorable event for us happened while we were admiring the ancient stone wall of bells that cast a shadow on the old cemetery. So quiet and serene. But right around 5:15 pm, the bells took on a life of their own, ringing loudly and slowly at first, leading up to a rapid and huge crescendo that seemed to last several minutes. Made me jump out of my skin, the contrast of complete silence to startlingly loud from where we stood. But after a good laugh and the end of our unexpected ghostly concert, we scurried out of the cemetery since it was starting to get dark. This mission deserves a visit and your respect. I highly recommend experiencing this lesser known, old mission. read more

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This is the San Miguel link on the California mission trail, also known as the San Miguel Arcángel. Like most-but not all-of the missions (looking at you both san francisco and santa cruz!) there is more parking then you'll ever need right close by, although generally speaking there will be less parking on feast days and festivals. Still parking within easy distance should not be a problem. There is a fair amount of outside landscaping including and exterior shrine and a fountain/pond thingy that has both koi and lotus flowers. There are also extensive outside grounds perfect for groups complete with grills, tables, and lots of room for kids to run of excess sugar. To be honest I kinda liked the exterior landscaping a bit better then the interior gardens, but that can change depending on what's flowering. Assuming you pay the five dollar entry fee, the interior grounds are not the best maintained, and part of the square is off limits due to it's use as a residence for the priests. The museum falls into the meduim range of the missions I've been to so far, but it does detail the architecture very nicely. If you are into the whole art/building/history you'll be interested otherwise make your way into the chapel. The chapel is kept pretty much as it was when it was first painted. This is one of the rare chapels that does not contain a crucifix or cross of any kind. This is very much a romanic church which harkens back to a previous age of Christianity. That along is worth a view regardless of what the grounds look like really. So in summary, a remarkable example of a church nave that is different then any other mission I've been to. Well, so far anyway. read more

A beautiful Mission with an incredibly rich history in the wonderful state of California. read more

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This Mission San Miguel Arcangel has a real story to tell. It was founded by Father Laussen in 1797 and was 16th of the 21 missions built along the Camino Real (King's Highway). Alta California Governor, Diego Borica had requested a grant from the King of Spain and started to build the mission for $1000. Anyway pan back to the 21st Century.... My wife and I were staying in Morro Bay and decided to pay a visit here on a Sunday and also attend Mass early in the morning. We had since this visit been to all the 21 California Missions but this one here was a real experience and will always have a special remembrance for the rest of our lives. Pan back to the 19th Century....The Native Americans that lived around the land of the mission were the Salinans and the Yokuts the later of which were not so friendly or accepting to Missionaries, Settlers, and Soldiers. However by the 1800s more buildings were added even after a fire burned the mission down in 1806. The Yokuts tried to attack the mission but were repulsed by the Spanish Soldiers The mission bloomed and was self sufficient providing it's own crops and livestock, and dry goods for sale. The population of the mission was at its peak with over 1070 Mission Indians, Priests, Neophytes, Soldiers, and Settlers. 6 Ranchos were also formed one of which was Paso de Robles for example. All was good but in 1821 the Mexicans led by Hidalgo won their independence from Spain. Remember California was not even part of the US yet. The Mexicans wanted secularization and wanted separation between church and state. When this happened the missions including this one fell into hard times and disrepair. They were all abandoned and in ruins. Until after the Mexican American War and Yankees started settling into California..now an American Territory at that time. An interesting ironic note is that after the Victory in the Mexican American War in 1848 one year later in 1849 Gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill! The US economy was effected just like now which effected the missions. Still later Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation that all the missions be given back to the ownership of the Catholic Church. This also effected this mission and helped in the American settlement of the state minimizing costs and placement of Union Soldiers needed for the Civil War. I know I know .. a lot of info but you'll see it is all connected. So back again to 2020! The wife and I arrived in time for mass at around 7:00 am all the way from Morro Bay. But found the church door was locked. So we had time to kill. We checked on our computers and found mass was about 2hrs away... so we walked around and took a lot of photos. Apparently there was a lot of reconstruction going on from damage that had occured during a recent earthquake. We knew that of all the missions this mission had the VERY BEST original interior paint and original frescoes that were applied by the Mission Indians themselves. We also really wanted to see the famous "All Seeing Eye of God" above the alter and all the antique Icons and furniture that dated back to Spanish Times. 2hrs finally passed and the church doors opened. We were not disappointed when we finally entered. The mass was very good, celebrated by a Priest from Fordham University in New York City. For sure we will go here again just a great experience. But here is what made this so memorable. As we waited for the mass to start which was hours away we decided to walk around and take a self tour of the mission. We went to the cemetery to look for history and pay our respects. (Got to make this short due to lack of space allowed) Once we entered the cemetery my wife and I suddenly felt cold chills all over our bodies making our hair stand up. We also felt a presence of people looking at us. I actually saw gray like silhouettes of these people in 19th century attire! We both were scared so I spoke to these spirits and told them we meant them no harm and we were just paying our respects to them. I also told them we would pray for their souls once we attended mass. With that we backstepped and exited the cemetery. To our amazement we immediately warmed up and had no more chills! Later we did pray for them as we promised. Weeks later we learned something that shocked us! Look up the "SAN MIGUEL MISSION MURDERS" on the web. It will blow your mind like it did ours! We found out that there were 11 murder victims here in the 1840s! (Men ,Women (1 pregnant), & Children) And all were all buried here in a mass grave! The murders were all captured by a Mexican Pose but one John..the Indian. Of the 5 Desperado/Murderers one drowned trying to escape in Summerland, 1 killed in the shootout, and 2 shot by firing squad in Santa Barbara by the US Army led by Lt. Ord (Ft. Ord Fame), who were sent by Col. Mason. (Ft. Mason Fame), The 2 who were shot were buried at the Santa Barbara Mission Cemetery. Again John.. the Indian got away working as a Mission Indian! Haunted?Come see! read more

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Another charming California Mission. The interior of the chapel has been retained all these years with the original paint and artwork. The mission is the parish church for San Miguel so it is in daily use. Well kept grounds and buildings with a small museum and gift shop. read more

Mission San Miguel - The sanctuary. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Miguel, California

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Closed for covid but was able to walk around the perimeter. There is a cemetery in the back, and lots of places for people to sit, I see. Would be cool to go inside when they're open but you probably won't be able to anytime soon. I would definitely stop by if you're in the area but would not drive out of my way to visit this mission. read more

I chose to stop here as a good spot to stretch my legs on the LA to SF drive. Heading northbound it is right at the end of the offramp. Being that it is one of the lessor known missions there was hardly any visitors. Parking was along the boundary wall making it easy to get people with mobility issues onto the grounds. The site was relatively small in comparison to some of the more popular ones (San Juan Bautista, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Barbara). However there is plenty to see and learn on the tour. The cost was $3 for adults and $2 for children. For that cost you get to see 4 rooms inside the mission. If you want to avoid the fee you can walk the front grounds, the cemetery and walk inside the chapel. I suggest paying the fee. It is for a good cause and the experience will last you longer than the bag of chips you bought from the deli down the street with the same money. Highlights for me included seeing the interior chapel the same as it was in the 1790s. According to the lady at the bookstore the painting is original. I also thought the bell tower in the cemetery with the interior stairway was a unique design for that period. I found that 30 minutes was plenty of time to stretch my legs, snap some pictures, learn California history and get back on the road. I am glad I did. read more

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Mission San Miguel has the misfortune of being in a very hot and dry part of California, but there is still beauty here. The colonnade has a pretty pond and the courtyard is a little oasis. The mission's museum is tiny compared to some others, but it's definitely worth a visit. The nice people in the gift shop sell cold bottled water, which I badly needed as it was about 100 degrees on the day of my visit. read more

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My favorite of all the California missions. Why? 1) There is a very spiritual feeling within the church -- you can literally feel God's presence there. 2) It is still a working parish, the areas surrounding the mission are used as a retreat/meditation center by Franciscan friars, as well as Franciscan priests from throughout the west, lending to the feeling of harmony that pervades the air here. 3) It is in a non-developed, non-commercialized area, so you can really get a sense of how it was experienced by its original inhabitants and religious sojourners. The extensive visitor's center, museums, and access to the beautiful gardens and grounds makes it well worth the trip, whether this is your destination, or it is a side trip on your way up or down Hwy. 101. Unfortunately, earthquake damage has limited access to the church itself and they need to raise millions in order to re-open the chapel. (My wish list is for someone like William Randolph Hearst to become this mission's champion, as he did for Mission San Antonio, to restored the architectural structure and enable its devotees to visit and worship once again.) Although you can't enter the chapel, the other aspects of this amazing mission are all open to the public, and you can also enjoy the chapel's beautiful, simple exterior. We visit Pismo Beach several times a year, and always like to stop at San Miguel, either on our way down or our way back up to the Bay Area. read more

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Beautiful mission. One of the most authentic. Not commercialized. It has a nice altar and the eye, he's looking at you! If you're passing through, have a quick stop and visit this mission. It's right off the 101. read more

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What are you waiting for? Come and visit this place, it is not only for fourth graders. It is our history and land mark, so enjoy! read more

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We always love to stop in at this Mission. The store is a gem and the people who work there. Make sure you buy some of the local Olive Oil that is grown near there. read more

Lovely mission,the best customer service, and quiet mission to enjoy the best parts about the mission

It's like taking a trip back into time. The church looks just as when it was built 200 years ago. The inside has never been repainted. The original wall frescos painted by Salinan artists under the direction of Esteban Munras remain untouched. Worth a visit. read more

A must stop if you are in the area. Beautiful mission with a lot of history. The inside has been retained from the beginning and looks amazing. Read the pamphlets and signs, take your time and soak it in. read more

This tourist attraction is horrible! So many bugs and mosquitos in every crevasse. I do not recommend going to the San Miguel Missions. I am a history teacher and I would rather take my students to Mc Donalds to learn about the agricultural history of the Mc Donalds fast-food chain. My students and I learned nothing about the missions here. It is so stinky and gross. I would never recommend the San Miguel Missions to anyone, not even my closest enemies. I feel so pitiful for the people who had to live in the San Miguel Missions. It would just be better to clock out than live in the San Miguel Missions. read more

When I think of the California missions I learned about in 4th grade, this is exactly what I think of. Right off the freeway, Mission San Miguel is the epitome of mission-era California. The courtyard extended the full length of the parking lot and had an olive oil press, fountain, and other artifacts from the time period. The chapel itself was beautiful. The frescos on the wall were in good shape and the altar was very nicely done. It was nice to go in and relax for a bit, surrounded by history. There was chamber music being played softly, only adding to the experience. We also explored the graveyard, noticeably bare of graves (we assumed they'd been moved off-site). Definitely worth the drive if you want to get in a bonus mission and you're in the area (about 30 minutes north of San Luis Obispo). The only thing we didn't like was that you had to pay to get in to the inside courtyard and self-guided tour. We'd just come from Mission San Luis Obispo and did the grounds tour for free. I understand suggested donations and also understand that this mission in undergoing renovations and needs support from people like us, but I feel like the option to pay would go a lot further than being forced to pay. that being said, we'd like to come back and pay for the inside tour. It's $3 for adults and $2 for children, though don't quote me on the prices. :) read more

Mission San Miguel - Good point :) - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Miguel, California

Mission San Miguel is a breathtaking place. Its artwork, especially its colorful main altar, is its highlight. Interestingly, like the Mission San Miguel in Santa Fe (New Mexico), it has its original art. The main altar is tromp l'oeil, with its pillars&urns. It is actually three dimensional, but gives a sense of marble work when it's woodwork. San Miguel's restoration is impressive, considering how it survived the 2003 quake. It was painstaking. The museum is a gem in itself- an immersive experience of mission life, from the padres' quarters, to an enormous statue of St. Michael himself. While the parking is somewhat limited, it's a place for timeless contemplation. read more