January 22, 2026
Founded in 1798, the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is nicknamed “King of the Missions” for a couple of reasons. First, it is named for Louis IX who was King of France from 1226 until his death in 1270. Second, it the largest of the California Historic Missions. In fact, at one stage it was the largest building in California. Judging from our visit is also more active than the other Missions. When we arrived, a Mass had just finished and quite a few cars were leaving. The Mission seems to have an active calendar of events and there is also a Retreat Center.
Looking through the arch in the following photograph you can see a large spreading pepper tree, which is the oldest in California. It was grown from seeds brought from Peru and planted by the missionaries in 1830.
A number of squirrels were popping in and out of holes, dug throughout a large field next to the Mission. Coming from the east coast, we had only seen squirrels that make their homes in trees. But these California ground squirrels live in burrows underground, where they dig tunnel systems that include sleeping chambers, food storage areas and multiple entrances and exits for quick escapes.
Mal and Lauren 