Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
There can be no better place to start a tour of San Diego than where San Diego began - Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, the original Spanish mission in the area and the first Christian church in California.
San Diego was named by Spanish explorer Sebastian Viscaino in 1602 after his flagship, the San Diego, a reference to Saint Didacus of Alcala. In fact the earlier Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo had visited in 1542 and had given the bay the name San Miguel, but the later name of San Diego persisted.
The mission was founded in 1769 as part of Spain's efforts to establish settlements in California, and remains an active parish today, over two centuries later.
There is a museum and gift shop, and group tours can be booked. See details at the Mission website.
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