Page 25 - Demo

slovisitorsguide.com WINTER 2025 25
San Luis Obispo
www.VetMuseum.org
Tours - Exhibits - Artifacts - Uniforms - Veteran Stories
801 Grand Avenue, Suite 102
*Entrance doors at back of brick buildling*
Central Coast Veterans Museum
History Museum in San Luis Obispo, est. 2002
Museum Hours: Wed - Sat • 10am - 3pm
Come Explore The Museum!
Volunteers Needed | 501c3 non-profit org
Mission San Luis Obispo:
A living legacy in the heart of downtown
Mission San Luis Obispo de
Tolosa, founded in 1772 by
Franciscan missionaries, is the fifth of
the 21 Spanish missions established
in Alta California. The mission has
always been situated near its present
location, close to the water of San
Luis Creek. Located in the heart of
downtown San Luis Obispo, the
old mission has become a historical
treasure admired by visitors from all
over the world.
The gardens have grown and
evolved over centuries. The grape
arbor is reminiscent of the vineyards
that once filled acres around the
mission. Over time, staff and guests
have added more plants and trees to
the garden. Visitors are encouraged to
bring a book, find a bench and take a
rest in the garden.
Learn more about the history
of the mission on a docent-led tour.
Guided tours start at 1:15 p.m.
Monday - Saturday and at 2 p.m. on
Sunday and begin in front of the gift
shop. One-month advance notifica-
tion is required for group tours of
10 or more. Reservation forms are
available on the mission website, or
call (805) 781-8220.
The docents enjoy sharing their
love of the old mission. You will learn
how the Mission grew in stages, who
is buried in the floors of the church,
and the story behind the centuries-old
art still hanging from the adobe walls.
The mission, originally constructed
from rudimentary thatch, bows, and
logs, grew to the substantial walls
and tile roofs still standing today. In
contrast to some missions, the San
Luis Obispo mission never fell into
complete ruin or abandonment dur-
ing and following the secularization
period under the Mexican govern-
ment. The original church consisted
only of the main wing leading to the
sanctuary and altar. In the 1880s and
again in 1948, the annex wing was ex-
tended in stages to provide seating for
the rapidly growing San Luis Obispo
community.
The Mission museum and the
gift shop are housed in the Convento
Wing, the original living quarters
of the friars. The museum displays
artifacts from Native Californian,
Mission Era, and American settle-
ment. The gift shop offers an eclectic
collection of crafts, jewelry, art and
books, with a friendly staff ready to
help and answer questions. Proceeds
from the gift shop help maintain the
mission.
Pilgrims and visitors of many
faith traditions find the quiet and
peace of the Old Mission Church, its
grounds and gardens, to be a place of
rest and renewal for the spirit. Unlike
many California missions, the church
of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa does
not charge admission but welcomes
donations, and its doors are open
most days of the year. There are two
daily masses and six masses on the
weekend in English and Spanish.
For more information, hours,
schedules of masses and events, or to
arrange a group tour visit missionsan-
luisobispo.org or call (805) 781-8220.
Founded in
1772, the mission
continues to serve
the community
Learn more on a docent-led tour.