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California Missions Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about the geography and history of the California missions. The names of all 21 missions are within the answer choices for these questions.

A multiple-choice quiz by saluton. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
saluton

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
138,804

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
901

Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (8/10), mamasnuggs (5/10), Guest 75 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

1. Which is the southernmost of the 21 California missions? Hint

Mission San Diego de Alcala

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel

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2. The mission in San Diego was the first founded. Where was the second? Hint

Los Angeles

Carmel

San Francisco

San Jose

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3. Which was the last mission founded under Father Junipero Serra? Hint

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo

Mission San Buenaventura

Mission San Antonio de Padua

Mission San Francisco Solano

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4. Which two missions were founded the year the US Declaration of Independence was signed (1776)? Hint

Mission San Buenaventura and Mission Santa Ines

Mission San Francisco de Asís and Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission Santa Barbara and Mission Santa Cruz

Mission San Jose and Mission San Rafael Arcangel

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5. Father Junipero Serra is buried in a mission in what city? Hint

San Diego

San Francisco

San Gabriel

Carmel

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6. The last California mission founded is located in what city? Hint

San Rafael

Soledad

San Juan Bautista

Sonoma

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7. Which is the only mission located within the Los Angeles city limits? Hint

Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel

Mission La Purisima Concepcion

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8. Which mission is located in Fremont, CA?
Hint

Mission La Purisima Concepcion

Mission Santa Clara de Asis

Mission San Jose

Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad

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9. Which mission is famous for a particular bird returning every March? Hint

Mission Santa Cruz

Mission San Antonio de Padua

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Bautista

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10. El Camino Real was the link between the missions. Which mission divides the El Camino Real geographically (10 missions farther north, 10 missions farther south)? Hint

Mission San Miguel Arcangel

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

Mission San Antonio de Padua

Mission Santa Ines

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Most Recent Scores

May 12 2025 : Guest 174: 8/10
May 08 2025 : mamasnuggs: 5/10
Apr 03 2025 : Guest 75: 3/10
Mar 31 2025 : Linda_Arizona: 7/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which is the southernmost of the 21 California missions?

Answer: Mission San Diego de Alcala

This was also the first California mission founded, in the year 1769.

2. The mission in San Diego was the first founded. Where was the second?

Answer: Carmel

The official name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo. There are missions in Los Angeles and San Francisco but none in San Jose.

3. Which was the last mission founded under Father Junipero Serra?

Answer: Mission San Buenaventura

The mission was founded in 1782 and Father Serra died in 1784.

4. Which two missions were founded the year the US Declaration of Independence was signed (1776)?

Answer: Mission San Francisco de Asís and Mission San Juan Capistrano

Four missions were founded in 1797, the most in one year. They were Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan Bautista, Mission San Miguel Arcangel and Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana.

5. Father Junipero Serra is buried in a mission in what city?

Answer: Carmel

Father Serra lies beneath the church floor of the mission in Carmel.

6. The last California mission founded is located in what city?

Answer: Sonoma

The official name of the mission in Sonoma is Mission San Francisco Solano. It was founded in 1823. This is the northernmost of the 21 missions.

7. Which is the only mission located within the Los Angeles city limits?

Answer: Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana

The San Fernando Mission is located in the San Fernando Valley yet is still within the Los Angeles City Limits. Mission San Gabriel Arcangel is closer to downtown Los Angeles but is in the city of San Gabriel.

8. Which mission is located in Fremont, CA?

Answer: Mission San Jose

There is no mission in the city of San Jose. The mission in Fremont is 20 miles (32 km) from downtown San Jose.

9. Which mission is famous for a particular bird returning every March?

Answer: Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano is famous for the swallows returning at the beginning of spring each year.

10. El Camino Real was the link between the missions. Which mission divides the El Camino Real geographically (10 missions farther north, 10 missions farther south)?

Answer: Mission San Miguel Arcangel

El Camino Real was the link between the missions and translates as "The Royal Highway" or "The King's Highway."

Source: Author saluton

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor minch before going online.
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