Monterey Attractions

Mission San Antonio de Padua Mission San Antonio de Padua was established in 1771 as the third in the chain of twenty-one California Missions. It still operates with a small Roman Catholic Parish, and serves the community as a Retreat Center for both group and private retreats.

The Mission is located in the valley of the oaks, in a naturally rural setting, just as it did when it was founded. The Mission houses a museum that contains Mission era and authentic Indian artifacts. The grounds offer a rare glimpse into California's early history - with an intact threshing floor, restored grist mill and partially restored original aqueduct system ( the first built in Alta California) - reflecting the importance of water to existence in this semi arid Central Coast environment.

Situated near the village of Jolon, about 40mi/66km south of Soledad and 36mi/58km north of San Miquel; turn off the 101 Jolon Road or Fort Hunter Ligett Military Reservation to reach the mission.

Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad History

Little remains of the Nuestra Senora de la Soledad mission. Its Spanish name means "Our Lady of Solitude". The Franciscan Fathers thought they recognized the Spanish "soledad" in the name the Indians had given it.

One is still haunted today by this feeling of solitude, and can well understand why the Fathers tried to flee from this oppressive isolation. In scarcely four and a half decades 30 Fathers took on the leadership. Epidemics and floods occurred frequently; in 1831 the church collapsed, and a storehouse had to be converted quickly into a chapel. Secularization did the rest. Only this chapel and a wing of the inner courtyard have been restored.

Location

Fort Romie Road, about 3mi/5km northwest of Soledad, the site of a state prison, not far from the U.S. 101.

Pinnacles National Monument This national monument, created by the federal government in 1908, lies in the Gabilan Mountains southeast of Salinas.

An ancient volcano once stood here, but has eroded away over millions of years, leaving a landscape of rock spires and pinnacles. Wildlife and wildflowers are common in spring. Pinnacles National Monument is a release site for the endangered California condor, which can sometimes be seen soaring overhead from the hiking trails on the east side. The park is most popular in spring and fall, when temperatures are mild.