California Missions and Archaeology Tour

March 9-14, 2026

$2,495 ($500 single supplement)

In 1542, Juan Cabrillo became the first European to explore California, sailing into what is known today as San Diego Bay. What followed changed the course of history in western North America, sparked in 1769 by the construction of Spanish Missions designed by the padres but built and maintained, using California Indian labor.

Our tour will explore historic missions in the San Diego area, including Mission San Diego de Alcala – the first mission, San Luis Rey de Francia – the king of missions, and San Juan Capistrano – the only mission made from stone rather than adobe. We’ll also visit Anza Borrego State Park in the Mojave Desert to see evidence of Native Californian life before the arrival of the Spanish, timed during peak wildflower season.

Tour Schedule

Monday, March 9

Join us in Old Town San Diego for a welcome reception and lecture from a local archaeological expert.

Tuesday, March 10

We will begin our tour with a docent-guided tour of Mission San Diego de Alcala, founded in 1769. After a picnic lunch, we will tour the Cabrillo National Monument where Juan Cabrillo first landed in San Diego and take in breathtaking views of the San Diego area. We will then depart San Diego for a night in Oceanside to the north.

Wednesday, March 11

In the morning, we will have a docent-guided tour of the spectacular Mission San Luis Rey, founded in 1798. This Mission lent its name to the Luiseño tribe of Mission Indians.

We’ll then continue our day with a stop at the San Diego Archaeological Center for a presentation and tour of the facility with their knowledgeable staff. We will then travel east into the desert environment of Anza Borrego State Park, spending the first of two nights in Borrego Springs.

Thursday, March 12

We will ditch our tour bus for off-road transportation and take an excursion into the desert to tour the Morteros and Pictograph Trails in Anza Borrego State Park, guided by the State Park archaeologist. After lunch, we will finish our day at the Anza Borrego State Park visitor’s center, ending with a second night in Borrego Springs, California.

Friday, March 13

We will depart Borrego Springs for San Juan Capistrano, where we will have a docent-guided tour of what many people view as the gem of all California missions, Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776. After our tour of the mission, we’ll have free time to explore the town. Then we’ll depart for San Diego for our final night in Old Town San Diego.

Saturday, March 14

Tour participants depart for home.

California Missions and Archaeology Tour

Tour Details

Cost includes first class hotel accommodations based on double occupancy (single supplement is $500), lunches, happy hours, expert Conservancy and special guides, admittance fees, tours and orientations, background reading, and surface travel via air-conditioned bus with restroom (except on Thursday, March 6 we will be in open air trucks).

Not included are meals other than lunches and travel to and from San Diego.

For more information or to sign up, call 505-266-1540 or email [email protected].

PHOTOS

The adventure starts now

Mission San Luis Rey

Mission San Diego Alcala Front

Mission San Diego Alcalá is both a historic site and active Catholic parish. It was California's first mission, founded on July 16, 1769 by Saint Junípero Serra, a Franciscan priest.

Mission San Diego Alcala front 2

Campanario (bell wall) at Mission San Diego de Alcalá.

Mission San Diego Alcala Courtyard

Mission San Luis Rey

Spanish Colonial architecture, paintings, and decorations in the sanctuary reflect the combination of Spanish and Luiseño Indian cultures.

Mission San Luis Rey Picnic Lunch

Cabrillo National Monument Visitors Center Cabrillo Statue

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo led the first European expedition to set foot on what would become the west coast of the United States.

Mission San Diego Alcala Archaeological Excavation

Mission San Diego Alcala Courtyard Tour

Junipero Serra Museum Tour Group Photo

California Missions Tour Junipero Serra Museum Tour Group Photo Photo: TAC Archives

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

Califoria Missions Tour Old Point Loma Lighthouse Photo: TAC Archives

Mission San Luis Rey Courtyard Fountain

Original fountains provided drinking water and medicinal herbs and plants were grown here.

Mission San Juan Capistrano tour

Ruins of the Great Stone Church show the the only remaining dome still intact at the rear of the church. Notches once held religious statues.

Mission San Juan Capistrano Courtyards

Mission San Juan Capistrano Great Stone Church

Mission San Juan Capistrano Courtyard Grinding Stones

These grinding stones date to pre 1700 and were used by hunter-gatherers to grind acorns down into a fine flour-like powder using grinding stones like these.