Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
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Restaurants
36 within 3 miles
Attractions
10 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
75 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
38
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Tencia V
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Solo
I work in Soledad and love to be able to go during my lunch hour. I usually go once a month as it's literally only 5 minutes away. I sometimes take my lunch and sit under the shaded area and enjoy the view of the mountains. It's so serene there and I can enjoy the views while having my lunch.
Written March 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan S
Oakland, CA530 contributions
Dec 2021 • Friends
Excellent mission in out-of-the-way spot. Beautiful lemon trees and roses growing there. Lovely religious statutes and a marvelous gift shop. We especially liked the lemon olive oil. There is a museum that small but worth going through. Look for the story of the two sisters and their grandfather that’s the most amazing mystery in the whole place. It’s in the first room of the museum.
Written January 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bbb57aolcom
san francisco1,106 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
Very nice mission....we are starting to visit all 21 missions and this happened to be the first one that we visited. I don't want to repeat, but MBbrandt said it all. "This mission has been restored and carefully preserved. Located in the middle of a large agricultural area, it is very relaxing. The ladies in charge are very helpful and pleasant, nice little gift shop. I would reccomend visiting."
I especially liked the old paintings that have been accumulated for the chapel. There is a nice set of "stations of the cross" paintings.
I especially liked the old paintings that have been accumulated for the chapel. There is a nice set of "stations of the cross" paintings.
Written December 6, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
etweeden
London, UK749 contributions
Aug 2015
This 13th mission was founded in October 1791 by Father Fermin Lasuen, about 30 miles inland from Monterey and San Carlos Borromeo mission. It was cold, damp and fraught with disease. It was never very prosperous, suffering from repeated floods and reconstructions. The last mission/parish priest died a couple of years after secularisation of the missions in 1833, and the mission was abandoned by the Church. By the 1840s the buildings had been sold and were being used as storehouses by a local rancho. The 42 acres immediately surrounding the ruins were returned to the Church in 1859, but there was never a reoccupation. Decay accelerated. Only in the 1950s restoration efforts started. Eventually a small chapel (former warehouse) and the priests' residence was completed, along with an accompanying garden. Original olive trees and grape vines remain. The site is staffed by volunteers. Open 10 am to 4 pm daily. Self-guided tours. Mass is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month, except in June when it was on the last Sunday. Check their website for details (missionsoledad.com). The mission is named for the Virgin Mary, most sorrowful - the term 'Soledad' being added to sorrowful in the sense of lonely and sorrowful. The mission, in Spanish called "Nuestra Señora Dolorisima de la Soledad" basically translates as "Our Lady Most Sorrowful and Lonely". The site has basic toilet facilities for visitors, but does not serve food or drink. The town of Soledad, four miles northeast, has both food and lodging. Take highway 101 to exit 301, Arroyo Seco Road. Take Arroyo Seco Road SW over the river (and Highway 101) to the first available right turn, County Road G17, Fort Romie Road. The mission will be on the left on this road. Enjoy!
Written September 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RealTravelman
Oroville, CA1,052 contributions
Feb 2013 • Solo
I have visited almost every mission in California, and this was one of my least favorite, but it wasn't the worst.
The location is ugly, since the surrounding area is all fields. The grounds, and the mission itself aren't very nice either. There is also an Indian cemetery, and remains of an Indian mud wall.
What I liked most about this mission, is that it's in a really rural area, off the beaten path, so not very many tourists know about it, so you can have the whole place to yourself, and let your imagination run wild. We got there early morning, and the mission was closed, so we didn't get to see the interior, but we got to walk around the grounds.
I wouldn't recommend a special trip here. I would just stop here if you are passing through Soledad or King City.
The location is ugly, since the surrounding area is all fields. The grounds, and the mission itself aren't very nice either. There is also an Indian cemetery, and remains of an Indian mud wall.
What I liked most about this mission, is that it's in a really rural area, off the beaten path, so not very many tourists know about it, so you can have the whole place to yourself, and let your imagination run wild. We got there early morning, and the mission was closed, so we didn't get to see the interior, but we got to walk around the grounds.
I wouldn't recommend a special trip here. I would just stop here if you are passing through Soledad or King City.
Written November 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shiredweller50
Richmond, VA50 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
The Soledad mission is a mile or two off route 101, and well-marked roads make it easy to find. It is the smallest mission by wife and I have visited, and that made it very special. Sometimes it's easier to feel the presence of those who came before in a small venue than it is in a much larger, fancier one.
The surrounding scenery is beautiful and unspoiled, and its location makes it feel isolated, as its name implies... So it's easy to imagine what it must have been like to be there in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is well kept, the gift shop is small and unobtrusive while offering for sale some very fine items, and the museum is excellent, with well-marked and well-lit displays. The volunteers at this mission are to be commended for the excellent work they have done!
My only negative comment has nothing to do with the mission itself: the restrooms, which are in a separate building across the parking lot, were both inoperative and closed when we visited. That would be a problem for anyone in immediate, desperate straits, because of the mission's isolation. But I know the plumbing problem is not neglect, it is lack of money... The mission needs more donations and funding. It's a great place to visit, and since there is no admission charge, it needs visitors to buy a few things or donate a few dollars. As someone very well-known once said, the mission must "render unto Caesar" to take care of the things that are Caesar's. To do that, it needs a little help.
The surrounding scenery is beautiful and unspoiled, and its location makes it feel isolated, as its name implies... So it's easy to imagine what it must have been like to be there in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is well kept, the gift shop is small and unobtrusive while offering for sale some very fine items, and the museum is excellent, with well-marked and well-lit displays. The volunteers at this mission are to be commended for the excellent work they have done!
My only negative comment has nothing to do with the mission itself: the restrooms, which are in a separate building across the parking lot, were both inoperative and closed when we visited. That would be a problem for anyone in immediate, desperate straits, because of the mission's isolation. But I know the plumbing problem is not neglect, it is lack of money... The mission needs more donations and funding. It's a great place to visit, and since there is no admission charge, it needs visitors to buy a few things or donate a few dollars. As someone very well-known once said, the mission must "render unto Caesar" to take care of the things that are Caesar's. To do that, it needs a little help.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr. Tim
Marana, AZ5,095 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
The 13th of the 21 California Missions I visited on my motorcycle trip was Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. The mission was founded on October 9, 1791 and was the 13th Spanish Mission. The Mission is very small with the Chapel being the only remaining original building. Behind the Mission are the ruins of the rest of the original buildings and a small Cemetery. It’s not that far off Hwy 101 and certainly worth a short visit.
Written September 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frisco_Roadrunner
San Francisco, CA25,059 contributions
Dec 2012 • Solo
One of the smaller and less busy California missions, set back from main roads. The grounds and historic exhibit area are not huge, but have a tranquil feeling that sometimes gets lost at busier missions.
Staff was very pleasant and welcoming to the 2-3 parties of visitors during my visit.
Staff was very pleasant and welcoming to the 2-3 parties of visitors during my visit.
Written January 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mcpcmp
Oakdale, CA403 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
We visit here a lot. It is mostly untouched, and in an area lightly traveled. Small gift store. They offer meals on certain days. Very serene location. Worth a visit.
Written May 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick A
Soledad, CA17 contributions
Aug 2018
Soledad Mission has special meaning to me because I grew up in the city of Soledad.CA. One of my earliest memories was visiting this historic site as a grade schooler on a field trip. As I grew up a appreciated the significance that this mission played in early California history. The mission was founded on Oct. 9 1791 and was the 13th mission to be created by the Franciscans. The mission is located at 36641 Fort Romie Rd just south west of the city of Soledad and is opened from 10am to 4pm except for major holidays. The grounds and gift shop are maintained by staff and volunteers. You can stop by the gift shop get self guided tour brochures or to ask questions of the friendly staff. There is an on site museum with many artifacts from early California.and the chapel is still used today for Mass on the first Sunday for every month.
Written May 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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