California Missions and Presidios

The state’s recorded history essentially began with the Spanish missions along the ambitious chain of 21 missions on El Camino Real (The Royal Highway) and the men who founded them.

The missions and presidios are a fascinating study in contrasts. Varying in size and architecture, churches range from small (at Pala) and modest (at Soledad) to opulent (at San Luis Rey) and elegant (at Santa Barbara.) Yet each represents a pivotal time when the entire western world changed. Politics and ideas redistributed power, and ambitious, independent thinkers formed a new nation.

"California Missions and Presidios" is a gorgeous book that presents the history of these intriguing sanctuaries of peace and beauty. The eye-popping photography of Alastair Worden and Randy Leffingwell captures their unique character, while Leffingwell’s accessible text brings to life the overall history of California’s conquest by the Spanish; the construction and operation of the missions, presidios, ranchos, and adobes; and the background of the mission architecture and style.

Seemingly unchanged, these missions and presidios have survived the centuries remarkably well—still welcoming visitors as a refuge of serenity and splendor while providing a glimpse into the lives of the spirited pioneers who built these structures and lived and worked there.