FAQ

Only 19 of 21 Missions shown

1. What are the Mission's hours of operation?

The Mission is open 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily.

The Mission is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter and 1/2 day on Good Friday.

2. What are the Mission's admission prices?

Adults- $6, Youth- $4, Family- $25, Seniors (65+)- $5, Active Military- $5, (Ages 5 & under free).

3. Are Docent guided tours available?

Yes, there are group tours available by calling the Museum office at (760) 757-3651, ext. 115.

4. What is the Mission's mailing address and phone number?

Our mailing address is 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92057.

Our phone number is: (760) 757-3651.

The Retreat Center phone number is: (760) 757-3659.

5. Who do I contact if I want to have a wedding in the Historic Church?

As a historical monument, we work in conjunction with the adjacent San Luis Rey Parish regarding wedding arrangements. You will find wedding policies on their website at www.sanluisreyparish.org. Prior to renting the Mission Church for your wedding Mass, you will need to contact the Parish Office. They will handle the necessary paperwork and then refer you to our Guest Services Department for the rental of the Church. You may reach the Parish Office via their website or by calling (760) 757-3250.

6. Who do I contact for a funeral?

Contact the Cemetery Office at (760) 757-3651, ext. 133 or 139.

7. When was the Mission founded?

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was founded June 13, 1798 by Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen, President of the California Missions and successor to Father Junipero Serra, Father of the California Mission System.

8. How many California Missions were founded?

There are 21 California Missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans.

9. What order number is Mission San Luis Rey?

Our Mission is the 18th of the 21 California Missions and known as the "King of the Missions because of its size, population and productivity.

10. Who was the Mission named for?

This Spanish Mission is named after a French King, Saint Louis IX, King of France and the the patron Saint of the third order of Franciscans. By all historical accounts he was a good man and a great king.

11. How large was the Mission?

The Mission farm and pasturelands once extended in a radius of fifteen miles, with the historic buildings covering over six acres. The site is located in a fertile valley along the El Camino Real, or the Royal Road. (Highway 101)

12. How was water supplied to the Mission?

The Pacific Ocean is four miles west but Mission water was supplied by the San Luis Rey River which ran directly behind the mission. The padres developed an extensive irrigation system by tapping this water and redistributing it.

13. What is the Lavanderia?

The Lavanderia known as "Indian Laundries" was the place were the Luiseño Indians washed their clothes.

• See photos of Lavanderia

14. Who were the Natives the Mission was founded to reach?

The Luiseño Indians were the indigenous people living here at the time of the founding of MSLR. Natives affiliated with the missions are called Mission Indians and take their names from the mission they are associated with. The Luiseño Indians trace their ancestry to Shoshonean origin. Typically they were a hunting and gathering society and prior to the arrival of Europeans covered a wide range of territory. Luiseños were and still are a proud people.

15. Who was Father Peyri?

Father Antonio Peyri, beloved and respected guardian and administrator for thirty four years, is credited with building the mission into the most prosperous in the chain because of his fair and consistent policies.

16. When did the Franciscans return to the Mission and begin restoration?

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia experienced a long period of decline and decay after the Spanish Colonial period, but in 1892 the Franciscans returned and efforts were made to restore and renovate the Mission, an ongoing process.

• Go to History Page

17. When did the habit worn by Franciscans change from grey to brown?

Mission Period Franciscan Friars in Alta California wore a grey habit. Mexican Friars fleeing from Zacatecas in 1892 arrived at Mission San Luis Rey de Francia also wearing grey. By the end of the 19th century, the dark brown habit worn by Franciscans today was adopted.

18. Why are there three knots in the rope belt worn by the Franciscan Friars?

The three knots represent the three vows of the Franciscan Friars: the vows of obedience,

chastity and poverty.