where was the mission san gabriel arcangel founded
Traveling from south to north from San Diego to Sonoma the missions are as follows: San Diego de Alcala, 1st mission. The mission trail in California began here on July 16, 1769, when Fathers Serra, Palou and Parron dug a hole eight feet into the beachhead near the mouth of the San Diego River and planted a large cross. A bell was suspended from the limb of a nearby tree and the site was dedicated to St. Didacus.