Calisphere: University of California Libraries
University of California: Calisphere: California Missions, 1780 Present
Images and informational text from which students explore the architecture, people and impact of California missions from 1780 to the present.
Buck Institute
Buck Institute for Education: Pblu: The 22nd California Mission
When fourth graders are required to learn their state history, this California teacher takes it across the curriculum implementing a project-based learning unit highlighting the Spanish Mission Era of California in the 18th and 19th...
Mission Tour
Mission Tour: Virtual Tour of California Missions: Secularization
This website tells about the emergence of secularization of Spanish California, which resulted in the decline of the missions.
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: California Before Gold Discovery
From the "Century" magazine, an article from 1890 by James Bidwell who came to California in 1841.
Lone Star Junction
Lone Star Junction: The Five Spanish Missions of Old San Antonio
A brief look at each of five Spanish missions established in the 1700s along the San Antonio River in California.
Other
American Journeys: Background on Francisco Palou and Father Junipero Serra
Find background information about the life of Father Junipero Serra and his biographer, Father Francisco Palou. Read about the missions they established in California and their work in converting Native Americans to Christianity. Click...
Other
San Diego History Center: Gaspar De Portola
The San Diego History Center provides the interesting story of Portola, an early governor of California. Provides a great story about Monterey.
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Ranch/mission Days Alta California
An 1890 article in "Century Magazine" by Guadalupe Vallejo relates his understanding of Hispanic influences on ranches and missions that existed in California before it became a state.
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of San Francisco: Junipero Serra: Founder of California
A biography of Father Junipero Serra, including excerpts from a biography written by Serra's good friend, Palou.
Digital History
Digital History: Spanish Colonization
Spanish culture had a great impact on the economy, politics, and even geography of the Southwest, California, and Mexico. Read about the Spanish settlements and the structure of the social classes that left an impact the continues even...