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#1 San Diego Royal Presidio
Founded
by Father Junípero Serra (verify)

Personal Observations

It took two attempts to find the Royal Presidio in San Diego on Presidio Hill above Old Town. The Serra Museum adjacent to the site holds displays on the Presidio. Photo-Art
Mission Art & Photo-Art

History

On May 17, 1769, soldiers, sailers, Native Americans, and Franciscan Missionaries founded a military outpost on what is today called Presidio Hill. Two months later, Father Junipero Serra established Mission San Diego, the first mission in Alta California on the hill. The mission was later moved to its present site, then returned to the hill and then back to the second site where it remains to the present. The site was officially proclaimed a Royal Presidio on January 1, 1774. A succession of Mexican forces, abandoned in 1837 when San Diego became a pueblo, and now serves as a city park with the Serra Museum to commemorate the Presidio and Mission San Diego.

The site is California Registered Historical Landmark Number 59.

The site is a short walk east of Old Town San Diego. Access to the site can be made from Taylor Street or Juan Street.

Address and Directions


Site map
Site map.

Photography Gallery




Mission San Diego began on Presidio Hill near modern day Old Town. The Serra Museum site aside the original Presidio location and interprets the site.

Marker beside the parking lot.


The cross is about the center of the site. Photo date: 5-8-05.
Cross Cross
Cross at the location of the first mission. Photo Date: 1-11-04.

Cross
Cross at the location of the first mission. Photo Date: 1-11-04.
The cross in 2022.


Inside the walls of the Presidio looing west.
Presidio sign.

Photo date: 5-8-05.
Statue to the Indians who helped build the mission.

Statue to Indians Statue to Indians
Statue to commemorate the Indians who helped build the missions. Photo Date: 1-11-04.

This tower is at the south corner. Photo date: 5-14-06.



Today a garden wall follows the approximate location of the original wall. This scene is just inside the southeast wall opposite the parking lot.

Northeast corner.

Southeast side, looking southwest acros the road toward the parking lot. .

Northwest corner.

This is the area northwest of the road.

North wall.
West side.
Today a garden wall follows the approximate location of the original wall.



A time capsule to be opened in 2069, the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Presidio and Mission (if its location isn't lost).
new 2022...





Southwest corner.

West corner.

West corner.


Southwest corner.

West corner.

West corner.

Outside the west wall.


Southwest corner.


Southwest side.

South side.

South corner.

Southeast side looking along the outside of the wall toward the parking lot.






... end new




Today cactus gardens beautify the site.
Today cactus gardens beautify the site.


Serra Museum in the distance.
The Serra Museum contains exhibits on the Mission and Presidio as well as art.

presidio links here

Sources:

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[an error occurred while processing this directive] This page last updated: Monday, 02-Jun-2025 21:55:06 PDT
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