Mission Trail Today - The California Missions
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This site is owned, designed, and operated by Kenneth A. Larson who has over a quarter century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design. Ken also has experience in other areas of Design.
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Mission Trail Today
All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2003 - 2013.
Select photographs of my many visits to the California Missions build by Spain and Mexico between 1769 and 1823.
#8, Santa Clara de Asis
Founded January 12, 1777
by Father Junipero Serra
in Santa Clara
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Updated
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Personal Observations
On our first visit, another couple said that they were looking for another building that they heard about but couldn't find. The University web site does include a map, but the emphasis is on the active University buildings, not mission ruins. My e-mails requesting more information were not answered. We visited Mission Santa Clara four times in 2003 and 2004 and don't know if there is any more to see. If there is more to see, please someone let me know.
More pending.
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Photo-Art
Mission Art & Photo-Art
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History
Mission Santa Clara de Asis was founded January 12, 1777 by Father Junipero Serra and eventualy grew into Santa Clara College, the first University in California.
The mission is now within the Santa Clara College campus. Little of the original mission survives. As you enter the campus on the east through the main gate on The Alameda, Highway 82, notice the cross to the right. Pass the information booth and you will see the final mission church ahead. Turn right at the first small street and right again into the parking lot where parking is free on the weekend. Walk back to the cross by the entrance. Laid out in stone on the ground is the outline of an earlier church. The outline actually extends beyond into a bordering cul-de-sack. Then walk back to the final church. This final church is one of the largest mission churches surviving and still in daily use. To the south (left) you will find some garden areas and the partially intact remains of a wall and colonnade. Follow this to the last remaining adobe structure that I could find, besides the church.
Address and Directions
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
Mission Santa Clara de Asis is located on the Santa Clara University campus.
Mission Santa Clara is just west of the San Jose Airport. (Mission San Jose is some distance north of San Jose in Fremont.)
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Southbound on U.S. 101: Exit Tomas Expressway G4. Turn right and proceed south to El Camino Real and turn left onto El Camino Real (about 1.5 miles). Follow about a mile and follow curve to right. Right turn into Santa Clara Campus.
Southbound on U.S. 101 alternate: Follow 101 past airport and take Interstate 880 south and follow past southern end of airport. Exit Alameda (Highway 82) and turn right (north on Alameda). Follow S curve to right and laft turn into campus.
Northbound on U.S. 101: Take Interstate 880 south and follow past southern end of airport. Exit Alameda (Highway 82) and turn right (north on Alameda). Follow S curve to right and laft turn into campus.
I prefere the 880 option.
Photography Gallery
Front exterior of chapel. This is the sixth church built for Mission Santa Clara de Asis and sits on the the fifth site on which this mission built a church. 3-9-03.
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Chapel interior. 3-9-03.
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Entrance to Santa Clara University. Photo date: 12-26-03.
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Front and center. Obviously the University is proud of its mission church. 11-29-03.
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Church. 11-29-03.
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Church. 11-29-03.
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Bell tower. 3-9-03.
Photo date: 5-31-04
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These mission bells can be found in many locations along the El Camino Real. 11-29-03.
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Entry to the garden. 11-29-03.
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Left of church. 11-29-03.
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Shrine. 3-9-03.
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Surviving outer wall from 1822 mission. The area to the right was the site of the mission garden. 3-9-03.
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Surviving wall. One of only two remainig structure from 1822 mission. 3-9-03.
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This cross at the entrance to the university marks the location of the third church. The original location has been marked with pavers. One corner extends into an adjacent street.
Photo date: 11-29-03.
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Photo date: 12-26-03.
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These pavers mark the location of the third church which was built in 1731 and destroyed in 1818. Photo date: 12-26-03.
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In the lawn, are pavers to mark locations of other mission buildings. Photo date: 12-26-03.
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Photo date: 12-26-03.
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Photo date: 12-26-03.
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This web site was created because of my love and respect for the California Missions. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ...
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This page last updated 7-30-13
This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson.
Copyright © 2003 - 2013, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved.
Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website.
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This site is a light hearted alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.
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