Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia

Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia is a stone and adobe mission outpost in San Luis Obispo County that served as a religious and agricultural center. The structure contained a chapel alongside rooms designed for storage and daily operations, with portions of the original walls still visible today integrated into later ranch buildings.

The asistencia was established in 1787 as a sub-mission to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, with the location initially selected by Father Junípero Serra in 1772. The site later gained attention during the 1818 coastal raid when it served as a refuge for inland settlement.

The asistencia functioned as a religious center for the Salinan people while managing agricultural production through its integrated granary system.

The site stands on private property and is not open to the public, but the original stone walls remain visible from nearby areas. Visitors interested in the history should respect the private nature of the location and view it from public access points.

During the 1818 raid by French privateer Hipólito Bouchard, the asistencia served as a refuge for residents fleeing from coastal settlements.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 35.40060,-120.61200

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:07