Welcome to Mission San Jose

 

Mission San Jose was founded on June 11, 1797 by Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen on a site which was part of a natural highway by way of the Livermore Valley to the San Joaquin Valley. It is the fourteenth of the 21 Spanish Missions in Alta California. They were founded to secure Spain's claim to this land and to teach the native people Christianity and the Spanish way of life.

Students interested in learning more about the history of Mission San Jose, especially for the 4th Grade Mission Project, can order a free historical information packet. Mission San Jose is frequently visited by classrooms and tour groups. Learn more about reserving a time for a docent-guided tour.*

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*We have yet to reopen from shelter-in-place, thus no tours are currently offered. However, you may read about our History, see amazing videos and photographs in the Gallery, or buy educational material from our Gift Shop. You may visit a loved one interred in our cemetery through a special arrangement made by contacting us at info@missionsanjose.org.

Come see us in person when we reopen. Nothing compares with walking in the footsteps of our founder, Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen, seeing the structures built by Christian Native Californians, or relishing artwork and artifacts from over 200 years ago.

Did you know?  About 90 percent of our operating costs are covered by visitors.  Until we can reopen, consider buying something from our online Gift Shop or making a donation to help us come back. Additional measures required to keep staff and visitors safe will be costly.