I've been wanting to do a cache like this ever since I learned about the missions in the fourth grade and that's when I started caching. I've been to most of the California Missions. From Santa Cruz, to San Luis Rey de Francia. From San Juan Capistrano, to Santa Barbra. Each mission is very special and is very historic. San Juan Capistrano was built the same year the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 in Philadelphia.
The final location is on a paved trail, not too far from the SJC mission itself. The last 20 feet or so are off trail, but doable in flip flops. The final is a camoed bison tube so BYOP. Parking can be found about 300 feet from the final. Please use stealth if there are other hikers / joggers / dog walkers. On the way to the final, it's secluded and it feels like what the mission days were like. The scenery, walking on the El Camino Real that connected all the missions, and the history.
AS OF MAY 19, 2023: Puzzle has been updated because orginal location is currently blocked by freeway construction. If you solved this prior to May 19, 2023 you will need to resolve it. The puzzle below (and certitude) have been updated to reflect the new location for the final.
If I had 14 days to visit the California Missions, here's the order I'd want to do it in:
San Antonio de Padua, San Antonio de Padua, Mission San Carlos Borroméo del río Carmelo, San Buenaventura, Santa Clara de Asis, San Luis Obispo de Tolsa, San Gabriel Arcángel, La Purisima Concepción, San Juan Capistrano, San Antonio de Padua, San Buenaventura, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Clara de Asis, San Buenaventura.
Now, some of the missions are larger and some are smaller, that's why I need multiple days to visit them. Sometimes in a row, and sometimes on other days. I also need a day for myself to go caching.
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