This mission is one of the most beautiful and easy to visit missions in the peninsula. It was founded in 1728 by Jesuit Padre Juan Bautista as the 11th mission in California. In its day, many expeditions were launched here to find new mission sites. One of these expeditions in 1746 was to the Colorado River Delta and put an end to the misconception that California was an island. The beautiful cut stone church that now stands here was started by the Dominican Padre Juan Gomez. The mission was in operation here until 1840.
The heart of San Ignacio is its central plaza shaded by large Indian laurel trees. The Spanish mission, as well as a number of businesses and food stands sit around the square. The plaza is generally sleepy during the day, especially during the off season, but comes to life in the evenings. Festivals and town events take place here and general town life centers around the plaza. Seating in the plaza in the shade feels like a step back in time to the tranquil life of a small Mexican town.
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