California Missions – San Diego de Alcalá
Founded: July 16, 1769 – First of the California Missions
Special Designation: Mother of the Alta California Missions.
Named For: St. Didacus of Alcalá, a fifteenth century Spanish Franciscan. The Bay of San Diego was discovered in 1542 by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo but named San Diego in 1602 by the explorer Sebatián Vizcaíno, who mapped the coast.
Also Called: Mission San Diego
Mission Site: The mission was originally located on Presidio Hill overlooking the bay, at a location called Cosoy by the natives. The mission was relocated about five and a half miles inland at the village of Nipaguay in 1774.
Layout: Traditional quadrangle
Mission Church: The church was originally built in 1813 (the third church on this site). It was rebuilt and fully restored in 1931.
Special Attraction: A popular stop on the mission tour is a re-creation of Fr. Serra’s cloister or living quarters.
Current Status: Active Roman Catholic Church of the diocese of San Diego, properly referred to as the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.
