OTHER TIDBITS: The original mission drew its name from the neighboring Arroyo de Dolores, or Stream of Sorrows! This wasn’t because it was an unhappy stream but because the Anza expedition discovered it on the Friday of Sorrows, the day that commemorates the grief of the Virgin Mary the before her son entered Jerusalem for the last time. It was moved and renamed in 1791 in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the mission-building order, namesake of the city of San Francisco, patron saint of animals, and my personal favorite saint!

This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places!

• Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
• Volunteer with the Mission Dolores!
• Become a member of the California Missions Foundation!
• Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!

ANNOTATIONS:
Yup! That’s correct!

From Los Angeles: ~382mi (615km) — 6.4hrs
From Sacramento: ~87mi (141km) — 1.5hrs
From San Diego: ~503mi (810km) — 8.4hrs
From San Francisco: ~1mi (2km) — 0.1hrs