This map of the Alta California missions displays the 21 missions that Franciscan missionaries founded between 1769 and 1823. Each mission was established near a Native American settlement in an area that was known to provide water and land suitable for farming and ranching. Each mission was also located within the protective zone of one of the four military presidios along the coastline. Over time this chain grew to include 21 missions, from San Diego to Sonoma. powered by Proxi List of California Missions Click for more information on each mission: