657 Travel Guide

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, located in San Luis Obispo, California, is the fifth in the chain of 21 California Spanish missions, founded in 1772 by Father Junipero Serra and named after St. Louis of Toulouse. The mission is an important witness to California's Spanish colonial and missionary history, with architecture in typical Spanish mission style known for white stucco walls, red tile roof, and wooden bell tower. The interior preserves original religious artwork and altar, with the courtyard planted with traditional California mission plants. The mission remains an active Catholic parish, long serving the local community, making it an excellent place to understand California's Spanish colonial history and mission architectural art.