Tag / Missions

by Darlene

Wednesday Postcard: San Juan Bautista, California

Photo by R. Lowman

Bonjour! This week’s carte postale features Mission San Juan Bautista, located about 92 miles/ 148 km south of San Francisco, California.

  • Founded in June 24, 1797, Mission San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist) is the 15th of 21 California Missions along El Camino Real
  • The mission has three naves, making San Juan Bautista the largest of all the California Missions
  • Alfred Hitchcock filmed crucial scenes of his 1958 movie, Vertigo, at Mission San Juan Bautista and its surrounding areas (The film was based on the 1954 French novel, D’entre les morts by Boileau & Narcejac)

For more information:

Gilroy Dispatch (2007)

Old Mission San Juan Bautista

Until the next Wednesday Postcard, stay safe!

by Darlene

Wednesday Postcard: San Luis Obispo, California

Photo by N. Reed

Bonjour! This week’s carte postale features the Mission Gardens of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, located in the Central Coast of California. It’s about 230 miles/ 370 km south of San Francisco.

July 2012

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was founded by Father Junipero Serra on September 1, 1772. Named after Saint Louis (1274-1297), the Bishop of Toulouse, France, it was the fifth mission (out of 21) founded along El Camino Real. 

Key facts:

  • It was the first mission founded on the land of the Chumash people
  • Mission San Luis Obispo still stands on its original site
  • The three bells in the garden have names: Joy, Gloria, Sorrow

My most recent visit to San Luis Obispo was in 2012. My family and I had lunch at our favorite Italian restaurant, Vieni Vai Trattoria. (It closed briefly in 2015, but re-opened and re-named “Flour House” by the owner’s daughter). 

Vieni Vai Trattoria’s tiramisu was featured on the Rachael Ray Show

The Pride in the Plaza event is held in Mission Plaza each year:

July 2012

July 2012

For more information:

California Missions

Mission Gardens 

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa – Visit California 

Until the next Wednesday Postcard, à bientôt!