Question: how did the geography and resources of san diego california help it grow

title: Mission San Diego de Alcalá
text: Mission San Diego de Alcalá The church façade of Mission San Diego de Alcalá Location in San Diego Location 10818 San Diego Mission Rd . San Diego , California 92108 - 2429 Coordinates 32 ° 47 ′ 4 '' N 117 ° 6 ′ 23 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 32.78444 ° N 117.10639 ° W ﻿ / 32.78444 ; - 117.10639 Coordinates : 32 ° 47 ′ 4 '' N 117 ° 6 ′ 23 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 32.78444 ° N 117.10639 ° W ﻿ / 32.78444 ; - 117.10639 Name as founded La Misión San Diego de Alcalá English translation The Mission of Saint Didacus of Acalá Patron Saint Didacus of Alcalá Nickname ( s ) `` Mother of the Alta California Missions '' Founding date July 16 , 1769 Founding priest ( s ) Father Presidente Junípero Serra Built 1769 Architect Fr . Jose Bernardo Sanchez Founding Order First Headquarters of the Alta California Mission System 1769 -- 1771 Military district First Native tribe ( s ) Spanish name ( s ) Kumeyaay ( Ipai / Tipai ) Diegueño Native place name ( s ) Kosoi , Nipawai Baptisms 6,522 Confirmations 1,379 Marriages 1,794 Burials 4,322 Neophyte population 1,455 Secularized 1834 Returned to the Church 1862 Governing body Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego Current use Parish Church U.S. National Register of Historic Places Official name : San Diego Mission Church Designated April 15 , 1970 Reference no . 70000144 U.S. National Historic Landmark Designated April 15 , 1970 California Historical Landmark Reference no . # 242 San Diego Historic Landmark Designated October 6 , 1976 Reference no . 113 Website http://missionsandiego.com