Things to do / Travel Guide
Our Tourist Attractions Expert Says:
If you're looking for a relaxing religious experience, visit the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, in Southern California, and experience spiritual refinement at its best. Rejuvenate your spirit at one of the Mission's retreats and enjoy the beauty of the area and facilities at this religious and historical site.
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was founded by Padre Fermin Francisco de Lasuén on June 13, 1798, when 54 Native Indians were ceremonially baptized. The Mission was named in honor of Louis IX, King of France from 1215-1270. The Mission is also commonly known as "King of the Missions" because of its large size, and is known by the Native Indian Quechnajuichom tribe as Tacayme. The surface area of the Mission is symbolically shaped like a cross. The asistencia, or sub-mission, is Mission San Antonio de Pala, which was founded in 1816. After a period of secularization when no services were held, the Mission was restored as an active monastery in 1892. In 1905, the construction of the quadrangle and church were completed; modern renovations include the addition of a museum and visitors center. Interestingly, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is the famous location where the first few shots of the movie, Zorro, were filmed.
The Franciscan Retreat Center on site offers a place for solitude, healing and wholeness, education, and renewal for individuals and groups. Retreat themes include Advent Retreat, Mini-Retreat Day, New Year's Retreat, Twilight Retreat, Women's Retreat, Mini-Retreat Day, Ash Wednesday, and Lenten Mondays. Room rates for retreats, or in general, vary by double or single occupancy; the rates for Weekend retreats begin Friday night with dinner and conclude on Sunday with lunch. A retreat at the San Luis Rey de Francia Mission is an experience not to be missed, so plan your trip accordingly!
There are 52 guest rooms with dormitory style showers and restrooms, and basic facilities, which can house up to 104 guests at once. Outside, visitors can enjoy the beautiful orchard area with a heated swimming pool and lawn area. There is also a picnic pavilion, as well as volleyball and basketball courts with equipment available.
The dining room serves three buffet-style meals every day. The price of the meals is included in the cost of the Weekend and Twilight Retreats, and special requests may be granted for large groups. There are also a few local restaurants nearby if you want more dining options.
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is open daily from 10 am – 4 pm, and is only closed on major holidays. The Religious Mass service is held several times during the weekend in Spanish at the Serra Center—another highlight worth experiencing.
Don't forget to pick up a souvenir before you leave at The Mission San Luis Rey Gift Shop, which offers a wide-range of gifts, mementos and books documenting the history of the Mission as well as religious articles, bibles and books. The Gift Shop is open seven days a week from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is located in Oceanside, California. By car, simply take Route 76 towards Rancho Del Oro Mission Avenue in San Luis Rey. We have faith that you will find your way to the Mission…and that you'll have an uplifting (and fun!) time.