a falconguide to california’s missions and presidios: a guide to exploring california’s spanish and mexican legacy

As Spanish authorities colonized Alta California, they established twenty-one Franciscan missions and four forts, or presidios, to bring the native inhabitants of the region under control and to provide for security and defense. Today, the missions and presidios are among California's most popular historic landmarks, and enduring reminders of California's Spanish and Mexican past. This guidebook is a fun and fascinating tour of the missions and presidios for vacationers and history buffs alike.