Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is a Franciscan mission church with museum in San Luis Obispo, California. The structure has adobe walls in an L shape with two naves that meet, and religious art from several centuries on the walls.

Father Junípero Serra founded the mission in 1772 as the fifth in the chain of California missions. After statehood in 1850, the buildings served for decades as courthouse and jail for the new county government.

The museum in the original wing holds objects from the Chumash people and later settlement days. Visitors can see rooms that once served as courtroom and jail after Spanish rule ended.

Masses take place on weekdays at 7 AM and 12:10 PM, with more services on weekends. The museum grounds remain open outside service times for visitors who want to explore the exhibits and interior rooms.

A bell tower and entry hall form an unusual architectural unit here, rarely seen in other California missions. A second smaller nave sits right next to the altar space and is used today for smaller gatherings.

Location: California

Inception: 1772

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: Palm Street

Phone: +18057818220

Email: office@oldmissionslo.org

Website: http://missionsanluisobispo.org

GPS coordinates: 35.28070,-120.66500

Latest update: December 17, 2025 09:18