Mission guide
California San Diego Mission
The California San Diego Mission serves in a city shaped by Kumeyaay history, Spanish settlement, and a long connection to the Pacific.
- English
- Spanish
California San Diego Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
California San Diego Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
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California San Diego Mission Heart Map Shirt
$29.00
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California San Diego Mission Flag Map Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
More shirts in the language of this mission
Press Forward, in the language of this mission
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
English and Spanish are spoken in the mission area. Spanish is especially important in the region's history, place names, and local culture.
At a glance
- Country
- United States, California
- Main city
- San Diego, 1,386,932 residents (2020)
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (UTC−8 standard time)
- Climate
- Warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most rain from December through March
- Languages
- English and Spanish
- Church in California
- 725,648 members, 145 stakes, 1,085 congregations
A short history of the area
Permanent European colonization began in 1769. Gaspar de Portolà established the Presidio of San Diego in May, and Franciscan friars led by Junípero Serra founded Mission San Diego de Alcalá in July. San Diego became part of Mexico in 1821, then became part of the United States when California entered the Union in 1850.
The Church here
- 1542Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo visited San Diego Bay and claimed it for Spain.
- 1602Sebastián Vizcaíno surveyed the area and named it for Saint Didacus of Alcalá, known as San Diego de Alcalá.
- 1769Junípero Serra founded Mission San Diego de Alcalá, California’s first mission.
- 1774Mission San Diego was moved from the Presidio area to a site in Mission Valley.
- 1775The mission was attacked, and Padre Luis Jayme was killed while trying to calm the attackers.
- 1777The mission was re-established and dedicated, though construction was not completed until 1784.
- 1846The Mormon Battalion arrived in San Diego during its approximately 2,000-mile march to California.
- 1848Six Mormon Battalion members were at Sutter’s Mill when gold was discovered.
Temples nearby
San Diego California Temple
Dedicated April 25, 1993 · Near San Diego
Tijuana Mexico Temple
Dedicated December 13, 2015 · About 17 miles from San Diego
Newport Beach California Temple
Dedicated August 28, 2005 · About 75 miles from San Diego
Yorba Linda California Temple
Dedicated June 7, 2026 · About 90 miles from San Diego
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- HolaHello
- ¿Cómo está?How are you?
- GraciasThank you
- Por favorPlease
Foods to try
- Tuna (a historic local fishing and canning staple)
- Seafood (associated with San Diego’s coastal location)
- Greek food (part of the city’s restaurant culture)
- Mediterranean food (widely represented in local restaurants)
Fun facts
- The San Ysidro Port of Entry is the busiest international land border crossing in the world outside Asia and the fourth-busiest overall.
- San Diego International Airport is the busiest single-runway airport in the United States.
- The San Diego Zoo grew out of the collection of exotic animals displayed at the 1915 Panama–California Exposition.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.