Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and other San Luis Obispo, CA Things to Do Tips

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was founded by Father Juniperro Serra on September 1, 1772. The mission was the 5th out the 21 to be founded. As Governor Portola and his men continued to search for Monterey Bay, they were taken aback at the great number of bears which inhabited the valley, which was promptly named the Valley of the Bears. The Spaniards killed several bears for food. The meat was generously shared with hungry Indians and that kindness paid dividends quickly after Father Serra founded the fifth mission in the Valley of the Bears. The first buildings were of adobe with thatched roofs, typical of the early missions.

In recent years, careful restoration has given the church much of its original appearance and was returned to the catholic church in 1859 and still serves as a working catholic church; and with the number of today's parish members, the Mission needs to add more space. need to add on more space. The original padres' quarters are now a museum and a square block in the heart of the "City with a Mission" is all that is left to be seen of former greatness.

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Address: Downtown San Luis Obispo