San Luis Rey de Francia is considered the largest of all the California Missions that were ever built. Built in 1798, it is considered the King of the Missions and Jewel of San Diego. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the mission was recently ranked the first among the Seven Wonders of San Diego County North. Extremely tranquil and peaceful on its 56-acres, many experiences are offered at San Luis Rey de Francia such as educational, cultural, spiritually, and historically. Even though the mission was the last to be founded, it is the largest and richest of all when done so.
Presently, San Luis Rey offers weekend retreats which include dinners, concluding Sunday with lunch. Rooms that are provided can be a double or shared room; single or private rooms; or a request can be for commuting. Overnight fees in advance are for the retreat program, lodging and meals. The retreats usually begin at 6 pm with Mass in the Old Mission Church. Some present retreats involve: Advent Mondays; Advent retreat; twilight retreat; mini-retreat day; New Year's 12-step retreat; women's mini-retreat; twilight retreat; centering prayer request, and marriage mini-retreat.
At the same time the mission was founded on June 13, 1798, its cemetery was also built in the same year, presently the oldest operating cemetery in North San Diego County with several unmarked graves--possibly Indian burials. Part of the cemetery was the Franciscan burial Crypt and the infant section, not currently including the inurnments of the Columbarium Niches or even its newly extended areas.
