Category: Uncategorized

  • The Autry Museum is definitely my favorite museum in Los Angeles. I love that it focuses on the history and cultures of the American West, with a strong emphasis on Native peoples and the history of California. I decided to become a member, and while they have many wonderful exhibits, one temporary exhibition that I…

  • Mission #7 Mission San Diego de Alcalá: Where California’s Story Began

    The first mission. The first chapter of California’s story. 🇺🇸⛪️

  • After visiting several California missions this year, I finally made my way to Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside. Often called the “King of the Missions,” it immediately stood out for its impressive size, peaceful gardens, and beautiful architecture. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved missions in California, and walking through its…

  • I’ve visited 7 California missions so far, and out of all of them, Mission San Juan Capistrano is easily my favorite. I actually visited two other missions—San Diego de Alcalá and San Luis Rey—before coming here. But this place left such an impression on me that I couldn’t wait to write about it and share…

  • My California Story Began on the Fourth of July

    Five years ago, on the Fourth of July, I arrived in California with a face mask, a face shield, and a lot of uncertainty. Since then, this state has challenged me, humbled me, and changed me. From overcoming my fears to discovering the rich history of California and the United States, it’s been a journey…

  • My California Mission Journey: Mission San Buenaventura One Stamp. One Story. One Step Closer to Understanding California’s History.

  • Most people living in California—whether they grew up here or just moved here—don’t really know the story behind these places. If the East Coast was shaped by colonization, the West Coast was shaped by missionization. The Spanish brought Christianity, especially Catholicism, and that became a huge part of California’s identity. But here’s the thing—we shouldn’t…

  • After my visit to Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, I felt inspired to continue my journey and visit another nearby mission. My next stop was Mission San Fernando Rey de España, located about a 45-minute drive from San Gabriel. The interior of the church felt quite similar to the other missions I had visited. In a…

  • My interest in California’s missions began after my visit to Mission Santa Barbara. I arrived in Santa Barbara carrying a heavy heart, but I left with a renewed sense of purpose—a goal to visit all 21 California missions. As a Filipino, I feel a special connection to these Spanish missions. The Philippines was under Spanish…

  • There are times when life feels overwhelming, and the best thing to do is simply get away for a while. I did exactly that and headed to Santa Barbara for a solo retreat. The drive from Los Angeles was beautiful. As the scenery changed and the ocean came into view, I could already feel myself…