There are a handful of the California missions that are massive and well-preserved. One is the San Gabriel Mission which is close to Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley. It is still a functioning church today. The San Gabriel Mission is in the city of San Gabriel just north of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley. Mission San Gabriel Arcángel was the fourth mission built by Junipero Serra in 1771 and is one of the best-preserved in the California mission system. Eleven families from Mission San Gabriel walked the nine miles to found El Pueblo de Nuestra la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula, also known as Los Angeles. San Gabriel Mission is an active Catholic church with a history museum on site.
Old lore is fun to read before a visit:
STORY of MARIA LOPEZ-CARRILO’S DAUGHTER DONA BENICIA CARILLO de VALLEJO
"Maria Ygnacia de la Candelaria Lopez-Carillo (1793-1849) was one of the most accomplished and remarkable early native-born Californio women. She was born on January 31, 1793. On September 3, 1809 Maria married Joaquin Victor Carrillo at Mission San Gabriel. She raised twelve children. Her three daughters were all great beauties who married well. Her daughter Francisca Benicia married Mariano Vallejo the most powerful man in northern California. The city of Benicia is named after Francisca. Upon the early death of her husband Dona Maria Carillo moved to Sonoma with the nine children still living at home and forged a new life. She learned to farm on land leased to her by General Vallejo. In 1841 Governor Manuel Jimenez granted her 8.800 acres of land in her own name. With the help of her sons she ran Rancho Cabeza de Santa Rosa successfully, learning the native languages of the area so she could converse with the vaqueros. Under Maria’s leadership the family raised 3000 head of cattle and cultivated acres of grains, fruits and vegetables. The Carillo Adobe is now an historic site." https://www.missionscalifornia.com/stories/women-pioneers-alta-california.html
Eat nearby at the famed Lunas Mexican Cuisine Restaurant, 343 S Mission Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776-1105
+1 626-576-7653
Photo: Trip Advisor
Photo: https://images.app.goo.gl/xUyTC8HkNZBuWxj88
428 S. Mission Drive
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 457-3035
www.sangabrielmissionchurch.org
https://www.missionscalifornia.com/mission-facts/san-gabriel-arc%C3%A1ngel
