No Map of the area would be complete without mention of the 17th of 21 California Missions, Mission San Fernando Rey De España. Not because every 4th grader in California public schools (and private Catholic schools) is required to study the missions, actually visit a nearby Mission, write a paper and even create a model of the student's Mission of choice as part of the California 4th Grade Mission Project, but because the history of the Missions provide visitors with a deeper understanding of both California's rich Native and Spanish heritages as well as the devastating effects of colonialism. The Missions provide us with a rare opportunity to see and touch real primary sources - not just those available online or in a book. The Missions are unique physical representations of an important era in California's rich history as well as a repository for treasured native Californian artifacts. Father Junipero Serra founded the first Mission in 1769 in San Diego, a bay previously mapped by expeditions by Jose Cabrillo and Sebastian Vizcaino. Peppered throughout the state, from as far south as San Diego, and as far north as Sonoma County, missions were founded a day's walk apart in strategic locations. Mission sites had to have access to water, good soil for crops, grazing land for livestock, and be close to native California villages. Since Spain had already opened several Missions in Baja California, what would later be Mexico, and as far South as Guatemala. Concerned about Russian and English expeditions along the west coast, King Carlos III of Spain approved plans to expand the Missions into Alta California. Mission San Fernando was built in 1797 and is the namesake for both the San Fernando Valley and the City of San Fernando. The church is also the final burial site for Bob Hope, the famous comedian who entertained Americans for over 60 years through his acting and comedic career. Among the more famous buildings is the Convent Building, with its thick adobe walls and long colonnade. California's first gold strike occurred at this mission, and lasted for four years. Priests discovered gold particles on the roots of wild onion bulbs growing nearby and for years after all the gold was mined, treasure hunters continued to search in vain for more gold.
http://www.californias-missions.org/index.html 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91345