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    Soledad Mission

    4.3 (37 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Soledad Mission Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Soledad Mission

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    jam c.

    I love this mission. There's only one caretaker who is doing a wonderful job keeping the place clean! We came at exactly 10am she was cleaning the church minding the gift shop and making sure the church was ready for mass. It's smaller compared to other missions but certainly not lacking in charm! And the location of it i love! Its in the middle of the fields and you can really feel the history.

    History
    Mia F.

    Mission Soledad is indeed a place of Solitude, peace, beauty & tranquility. A Holy place for prayers and meditation. The Altar and the Blessed Sacrament and the Image of Nuestra Senora De Soledad all draw ones spirit to the loving mercy of God the Father, Jesus our Lord and the Holy Spirit. The museum takes one back to the mission days and ranchero days. The gift shop is filled with unique and artisan style religious items and home decors. Thanks to the Store Keeper and Museum volunteers for their great work and service.

    Graciela P.

    So driving down the 101 making our way down to Solvang as our next stop we start seeing the sign for the Soledad Mission next exit. So I tell my sister Detour!! Lol, we got of the exit & pulled off on the side of the road we kinda expected it to be right in front of us, well it's not. You still need to drive a little distance to find it. But we finally found our #2 visit, Nuestra Señora De La Soledad Mission. Walking up to the back you can see the whole site of the old church destroyed by floods. We weren't sure if this one had a museum, good thing we stopped in at the gift shop because the entrance is on the right side. Really glad we didn't miss this one. They have all 21 detailed replicas of the missions created by Elsie Jennings, those were pretty cool. #13 of 21

    Paul L.

    I've visited all but one of the California missions. This small structure, in ruins since 1874 then rebuilt in 1955, is one of my favorites. It doesn't compare architecturally to the grand missions elsewhere but I enjoy the humble simplicity of Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad and the views of the surrounding area.

    Christopher H.

    An interesting museum and catholic spot in the middle of farms. The natural landscape is breathtaking. I am referring to the landscape as it is in its environment and not comparing it to forests and the such. I dont necessarily find farmlands beautiful neither do i enjoy the fertilizer smell however the surroundings within its ethos is pimp. This mission has all the shabangs common with "missions" from 300 yrs ago. The cathedral made of stucco and wood is georgous. The artifacts/ruins are preserved to the best of their abilities. Signs everywhere that explains stuff. The gift shop i must say is puny compared to other highly commercialized missions. This isnt a testament to catholicism, by all means no since i view catholicism as heresy. But thats neither here nor there. The mission as a museum, pieces of time gone by and the support/security they provided for weary travelers should be recognized. California and western expansion (imperialism/colonization/genocide/diaspora as some may call it) would have been almost impossible without all these missions back in the 17th century. I am glad that catholics have made a huge effort to preserve these relics. Compared to other missions, soledad's exterior is quite large with plenty of trees and public benches to take a break from traveling, stretch your legs and enjoy some self provided food. The mission isnt visible from the 101. Some manuevering is necessary. Dont be surprised if you get stuck behind a tractor. Drive safely because the road can be rough and incomplete at times.

    Courtyard
    Terry T.

    This mission is plainer than many of the other California missions, but it's surrounded by farmland and seems to belong to the land it is sitting on. It was restored in 1950s and is well worth the short drive off highway 101 to explore. There is an Our Lady of Sorrows statue behind the altar; she is wearing a black dress and veil. I think she is beautiful in a Day of the Dead way.

    Gwen G.

    A very small mission, the woman running the gift shop was so friendly! Quaint museum and grounds.

    Noelle J.

    The World According to Noelle ~Allergic Girl's Guide to Life~ Issue 250 Father Lausen dedicated this Chapel to Mary, the Mother of Christ as Our Lady of Sorrows, on October 9, 1791. This was the 13th Mission built out of the 21. The founding President of this Mission was Father Fermin Lausen. The Founding Missionaries were Mariano Rubi and Diego Garcia. Nuestra Senora de la Soledad Mission is in a remote part of California only 20 miles southeast of Monterey. The name Nuestra Senora de la Soledad is named for Our Lady of Solitude referring to Mary, mother of Jesus, left in sorrow and loneliness after His crucifixion. Out of all the Missions in California I have ever visited- this is the smallest and most simplistic. According to its history winter floods destroyed the Mission three times. The last missionary left in 1835 and the Mission was almost abandoned for 100 years. Its always been a dream of mine to visit all of the Missions in California. As a child of an interfaith marriage (Catholicism and Judaism) I have always been interested in the history of religion and matters of faith. I was raised as a Catholic but also celebrated Jewish holidays. I feel most at peace within the walls of a Catholic Church or Jewish Synagogue- Holy places where people come to express their faith in God. There is a long road to this Mission. We pulled up and parked. We took pictures of the roses. Unlike most of the other California Missions this one was simple even in its land scape design. It was rather cool and dark in the Mission. There was an area to light small votive candles for $1, I lit two- one for my mom and the other for my grandmother (both who had rare forms of cancer). I went into the gift shop and purchased a $3 large candle to light for my mother. I also knelt on a wooden kneeler and said a prayer for my mom's upcoming surgery. I explained to my friend a few things about the Mission- the holy water, the sign of the cross, the wooden kneeler with no padding, who my patron saint is (St. Jude). In the gift shop I purchased my mom a rose scented rosary, bottle filled with holy water and a picture of the Mission. From this point and into 2009, but before 2010 I plan to visit all of the 21 California Missions. In true Noelle fashion, I will Yelp my visits to all 21 Missions along with a local review of the restaurants in the surrounding areas. Cancer has humbled me in ways I could not imagine. Seeing my mom go through chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries to remove tumors has forever changed me. Like my favorite author C.S. Lewis, I too have had battles with my faith in God. Looking back, I have learned an important lesson- its the people you love in your life that matter most- as money, a career, the next great restaurant, vacations are just icing on the cake. In my quiet reflections, through my moments of great clarity I have found the core of my life is comprised of the people I love and all else pales in comparison. Noelle's Notes Open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM Admission is: FREE, Donations are encouraged. Mass is held each first Sunday of the month Lovely gift shop with helpful staff. Noelle's Post Secret http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsCET8oQyuA

    the only landscaped part in front
    Steven W.

    This is the Soledad entry for the California Mission trail-Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, this one mostly restored in a very rural location. The parking lot is huge. More then enough room for any sized group or vehicle-with the possible exception of when they throw their yearly anniversary fiesta in October. That's a really popular community event and also the only time that lot will get close to being fully utilized. Not all missions are created equal, and this one is no exception. It's located in a very rural area surrounded by a lot of nothing except fields. Unlimited views to the hills, but dusty and at times the fertilizer smell will be strong. While the surrounding area is barren, the grounds themselves are impeccably landscaped. A very welcome floral oasis. The bathrooms are decent, and if you are so inclined there are outdoor grills and pic nic area. If you are looking for nice outdoor space to have a reunion, wedding, whatever this is a perfectly good spot. This mission was completely destroyed due to flooding and er, re purposing, so the building is a restoration. A really good restoration with particular care taken to make sure it's as accurate as possible to the original. The chapel is not in regular use-but worship will be held here on special occasions. The museum is free which is nice-many of the mission sites charge small fees-and while the store is not as large as some it does carry items unique to the soledad location. I especially liked the t shirts for sale here. Very colorful, and you can't get them anywhere else. Many of the exhibits are kept or preserved by dedicated parishioners but some parts are not well curated. The back of the mission contains what's left of the original site, and it's more or less an archaeological excavation-although some of the original grave sites have been identified and marked. Step carefully when in back as you may literally be treading on history. If you are out passing through, this is totally worth a stop. Bonus points awarded for picnicking, and I strongly recommend coming on the first Sunday in October for the annual fiesta.

    Paolo M.

    I'm not very religious nowadays, but sometimes it's good to sit, close your eyes, and just be. This place is good for that. It's simple, clean, and well-cared for. The statue of the weeping Virgin in the black lacy veil and dress behind the altar kind of creeps me out, but otherwise it's a good place to meditate. This mission has been welcoming to many people of different backgrounds and is a gracious host to the AIDS Life Cycle participants who trek from San Francisco to LA on their bikes. When I got to the mission three days after the cyclists had finished passing through, the mission still kept the altar mantel with the prayers of hundreds of cyclists written on it for others to ponder. Set on a historic road close enough to highway 101 that it's convenient to access, but far away enough to gain a sense of calm, it offers a nice respite for weary travelers. The agricultural fields and hills around it were inspiring.

    Michelle R.

    Nice, clean, well-maintained. We saw two ladies cleaning and sweeping outside when we visited. The chapel also looked like an active church.

    I love this mission, it may be my favorite one I've visited yet. It is smaller and kind of out of the way, so there were hardly any visitors present when I came. The church is quiet and simple, but full of warmth. Visitors can leave a prayer and light a candle, sit and contemplate or pray with few disruptions. I was overcome with emotion while sitting in the chapel.

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    Small, but the history breathes here. If you are in the area, stop in! Nice people and you'll be able take a breath. Nice place!

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    Ask the Community - Soledad Mission

    How did mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad survive?

    It didn't. It was destroyed by a series of floods, abandonment and looting(although since it was abandoned it technically may not have been looting. More like repurposing). What you see now is the ongoing result of restoration efforts started in the… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Soledad Mission

    Someone comes to harvest the olive trees and they make olive oil, which they sell in the gift shop.

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    Mission San Antonio de Padua - Corridor arcade walkway at Mission San Antonio de Padua

    Mission San Antonio de Padua

    4.6(62 reviews)
    27.5 mi

    Whether one is interested in architecture, history, or religion, the Mission San Antonio de Padua…read moreis an interesting destination. The Mission is remotely nested near the Santa Lucia mountains approximately 30 miles north of Paso Robles, and is another one-half hour drive off the 101 freeway on back roads. One passes through the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation near the very small village of Jolon. The isolated and picturesque area is quite different from the other established California missions. Think of the song, "Home on the Range" - "...where the deer and the antelope play"... but in this case, it is where the deer and wild pigs roam. This mission was the third of the twenty-one missions in California founded in 1771 by the Franciscans. The remote area posed many challenges over the hundreds of years it existed, a few times almost abandoned. Currently, the Mission San Antonio de Padua has a museum highlighting life from its original working days when the Salinans, an indigenous people of the area, worked with the Franciscans. There is an active parish along with a gift shop, restored buildings and a courtyard. The Mission offers cuttings of established roses and grapes for a small donation. Mission San Antonio de Padua also hosts group retreats. There are picnic tables on the grounds of this secluded mission where we enjoyed a light lunch we brought with us. Toilet facilities are limited.

    Located at the end of Mission Road in Jolon, CA. It was founded by Fr. Junipero Serra in 1761 and…read moreis the 3rd of California's 21 missions. It was quite a drive to the mission from the main road/freeway. Tours are self-guided and are free. Donations are welcomed. Their gift shop is vast with works from various local and native artists. Cash transactions are preferred, otherwise there's a fee to use credit cards. The garden is beautiful. The fountain is a soothing flow of crisp water. Staff were so helpful and knowledgeable. They conduct retreats as well.

    Photos
    Mission San Antonio de Padua - Looking towards the alter at Mission San Antonio de Padua

    Looking towards the alter at Mission San Antonio de Padua

    Mission San Antonio de Padua - Looking towards the choir loft at Mission San Antonio de Padua

    Looking towards the choir loft at Mission San Antonio de Padua

    Mission San Antonio de Padua - The "Iron Oak" sculpture in the Mission San Antonio de Padua courtyard created by Max Randoloh, 2023.

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    The "Iron Oak" sculpture in the Mission San Antonio de Padua courtyard created by Max Randoloh, 2023.

    Casa de Anza Adobe - Built in 1799! Anza Adobe San Juan Bautista CA Sun 2/19/23

    Casa de Anza Adobe

    5.0(1 review)
    31.9 mi

    Anza Adobe San Juan Bautista CA Sun 2/19/23 ©…read moreYou walk down the Third Street on the outskirts of the downtown San Juan Bautista and you come across this Spanish Colonial adobe. It's an early Mission outbuilding, possibly a chapel, a barracks, or a dormitory, with a flat roof, adobe floor, and painted wainscoting, built circa 1799. You walk straight into California history! Little research suggests that Anza Adobe is one of only 4 adobes still standing in downtown. Anza House was first built as one long room until sometime near 1830, the pitched roof was added, as well as a dividing wall to support the ridge poles. During the 1850's, Francisco Pancho Bravo operated a cantina here. His first wife was Fernanda Escobar, the youngest child of Marcelino Escobar, one of 28 soldier-craftsmen from the De Anza Expedition, and a presidial carpenter. Anza Adobe has been home of the first antique store in San Juan Bautista for over 60 years, with a break as I understand it while the ownership changed hands. The back of the building is a private residence. Anza House has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark in 1970. It is referenced in the annual mission report written by the Mission's first priests Father Jose Manual Martiarena and Father Pedro Adriano Martinez, where they related that a chapel approximately 17' by 42' had been built of adobes and was probably roofed with tules. Come to San Juan and discover something new! *Make me see a whole new way Make me see the new day, the new day, the new day Make me be, make me be, make me be a whole new way Meet me in San Juan, baby I'll be true Whisper sweet everything to you [ Review #746 w 3 pics on Feb 19, 2023 ] Built in 1799! Anza Adobe San Juan Bautista CA Sun 2/19/23 The 1970 plaque! Anza Adobe San Juan Bautista CA Sun 2/19/23 Old Adobe Antiques, front! 1st Antique Store in SJB @Anza Adobe SJB CA Sun 2/19/23

    Photos
    Casa de Anza Adobe - The 1970 plaque! Anza Adobe San Juan Bautista CA Sun 2/19/23

    The 1970 plaque! Anza Adobe San Juan Bautista CA Sun 2/19/23

    Casa de Anza Adobe - Old Adobe Antiques, front! 1st Antique Store in SJB @Anza Adobe SJB CA Sun 2/19/23

    Old Adobe Antiques, front! 1st Antique Store in SJB @Anza Adobe SJB CA Sun 2/19/23

    Casa de Anza Adobe

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    Soledad Mission - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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