Founding

The Mission San Diego was the first of 21 Franciscan missions built along the coast of California.
Founded on 16 July 1769, the original building was established overlooking the San Diego Bay but was later moved due to the lack of reliable fresh water. Father Luis Jayme proposed moving the mission and with approval from Father Serra the mission was moved six miles east near what is now San Diego River.

Though the land of Alta California had been claimed for Spain two centuries prior it was not until the threat of Russian and British forces expanding into the area that Spain began to explore and settle the area.

The Spanish Catholic church wanted to build missions along the coast of California in order to convert the natives and Hispanicize them, teaching them basic Spanish as well as how to herd animals and farm. The hope was to create a Christian population that would be loyal to the Spanish crown.

Law of the Indies stated that after 10 years the missions were to be secularized or disbanded and the converted Indians were to build their own towns becoming farmers and ranchers. After the ten year period the fathers determined the Indians would be unable to transition and the missions remained open.