Sunday, September 16, 2012

Mission San Fernando, CA

Mission San Fernando was founded in 1797 in the Mission Hills district of LA near the site of the first gold discovery in Alta California. It's the 17th in the chain of Spanish outposts along El Camino Real. 

Last weekend we took a quick detour on our way home from Venice Beach to check it out. What a treasure it is. I've been to many of California's historic missions (my goal is to visit and photograph all of them) and this one really enchanted me. I think it was a combination of the brilliant blue skies, balmy southern California temperatures, and impeccably maintained grounds. 

It wasn't crowded at all and strolling around the compound was very peaceful and kept me and my Nikon busy. You do have to buy admission tickets in the gift shop to visit the museum and grounds, but it's well worth it. The museum contains excellent displays with great explanations and the map you get guides you through the gardens and explains many features of the mission complex. 

Welcome to Mission San Fernando...
 An exterior view of the Convento with its 21 Roman arches; now it houses the authentically refurbished rooms and is the largest remaining building of all the missions in California...

 The portico of the Convento...


A view of the interior of the Convento...

The workshops and the old Mission church...

The corridor of the Archival Center, which serves the Archdiocese of LA...

One of the six Piczek Tableaus, which portray the geographic history of the Archdiocese of LA...

 A view toward the Convento...
 Beautifully manicured gardens...

 The flower-shaped fountain in the East Garden...
 Believe it or not, Bob Hope is buried in the Bob Hope Memorial Garden on the mission grounds...
A Statue of Fray Fermin Francisco de Lasuen, founder of Mission San Fernando. 
He's buried at San Carolos Borromeo Mission, Carmel...
Thanks to a large gift of money in the 1940's by the Hearst Foundation, this particular mission and California historical landmark has been completely restored and is well cared for. Don't forget to visit it if you are zooming through the San Fernando Valley along Interstate 405. It's very easy to find, parking is plentiful, and a visit will hopefully calm your mind and spirit!

9 comments:

Photo Cache said...

that has been my goal since 2004, to visit and photograph all the missions. except that i rarely even go to socal. thank you for sharing this.

Great Grandma Lin said...

well I've lived in California many years at different times and never visited this mission. Have seen several especially San Juan Capistrano...thanks for visiting my blog and commenting.

Lmkazmierczak said...

Lots of lovely linear lines in those photos♫♪

Diana, Down Home Traveler said...

I just to see the missions in San Antonio. They are beautiful buildings. www.downhometraveler.com

Nicholas Jackson said...

I would love the chance to visit more of the missions in California. Great images.

Joe said...

Love the repetition in the arches.

Zenserly said...

Viewing your beautiful shots of a very interesting place has already calmed my mind and spirit. I am sure the effect will be more intense being there in person. I love the archs and shadows that you captured. Thank you for visiting my humble world and wishing me well. I am better now. Keep traveling and sharing places you visit. I enjoy viewing the world through your Nikon :)

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