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Mission San Luis Rey Review

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Mission San Luis Rey

Address: 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA, 92057 | Map It
Phone: 760/757-3651
www.sanluisrey.org

Category: Religious Sites
Location: Oceanside

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Fodor's Review:

Mission San Luis Rey, known as the King of the Missions, was built in 1798 by Franciscan friars under the direction of Father Fermin Lasuen to help educate and convert local Native Americans. Once a location for filming Disney's Zorro TV series, the well-preserved mission, still owned by the Franciscans, was the 18th and largest and most prosperous of California's missions. The sala (parlor), the kitchen, a friar's bedroom, a weaving room, and a collection of religious art convey much about early mission life. Retreats are still held here, but a picnic area, a gift shop, and a museum (which has the most extensive collection of old Spanish vestments in the United States) are also on the grounds, as are sunken gardens and the lavanderia, the original open-air laundry area. Self-guided and docent-led tours are available. The mission's retreat center has limited, inexpensive dormitory-style overnight accommodations.

Cost: $6
Open: Daily 10-4

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