mission san antonio de padua

Went to 9 am mass. Its a beautiful church I'm not catholic but liked that it was not a showy place. Its low key with friendly locals It was the "Cutting of the roses" the Sunday we went, so there was a few local artists with quality items to sell after mass Also had a good homemade brunch. Sat at one of the long tables enjoyed friendly conversation with others next to us. The shop is very nice with beautiful items. This place is next to a military base but its views for the most part are of fields and hills. Don't expect anything slick its more rustic and authentic. I'd go back

similar to many missions, in terms of artifacts, layout, etc. good for a little detour, but don't go too far out of your way. Currently under construction til 2017

This well preserved Mission is about 30 minutes off Hwy 101 in the beautiful California oak woodlands. A very pretty drive!The mission is the nicest of the ones I have visited, and gives you a very good feel for the life and times of the Mission period.Don't miss the opportunity to see this one, if you are nearby.

Very beautiful place In the middle of the mountains. Worth the scenic ride to visit this mission. Friendly people. High priced gift shop with some sort of nice things. Some nice things from local artist.

We decided to make it a true Thanksgiving this year by visiting the Mission San Antonio De Padua. We had planned this many times but never quite made it. We stayed at The Hacienda near the Mission, which is on the military base. It is a lovely old building once owned by Hearst. We stayed in the Commander Suite which was huge with an adequate kitchen where we cooked our Thanksgiving meal and ate it by the fireplace in the living room. The mission was closed that day. We decided not to take our evening walk , instead watching the sun set amidst the rolling hills with a glass of wine. We were well prepared and had planned for our food and drinks for the visit.We drove to the Mission the next morning but it is walkable. We were greeted by a lovely lady. There were a few other visitors. There is some repair work going on but we still took lovely pictures. The mission is well maintained and deserves all our support. We found out we could have stayed there, only for spiritual and educational purposes, which makes sense because it would destroy the serenity of the place. This place has a lot of history. There is a creek nearby and other grounds to explore like the old Indian cemetery. I wish we had bought a picnic lunch to eat. We enjoyed browsing in the gift shop and bought some gifts to support the upkeep of this Mission. We will definitely go again and take more families with us for a quiet retreat. It is 20 some miles off 101 but the drive is beautiful. Stay there or at the Hacienda if you are looking for a different experience from staying at cookie cutter hotels. It makes you think about the journey of those before us and provides a context for the present.

I grew up about 20 miles from Mission San Antonio de Padua and have many fond memories of school field trips, community BBQs, and midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Recently my wife and I returned for Evening In The Garden, a benefit event for the mission. I was reminded not only of the incredible history of the California missions but, more specifically, how being at this mission give such a detailed picture of what the missions were like 200+ years ago. Because of it's location away form major towns and because it's on a military installation it has been kept pure and authentic.

Have been in this area before with the Army for the firing range at Fort Hunter Liggett. I had never gone to the Mission to visit but we made this trip while visiting several other California Missions.The Mission is undergoing retrofit on the Main Roof while we were there. This still allowed us to see the Mission. Entrance to the Mission is through the Gift Shop located to the left of the Main door. There is a small fee that is used to support the Mission. The mission/church still operates to this day and serves the local community. Worth the visit to see this part of History.The Mission while not on the military base, you must drive through part of the base to gain entrance to the Mission. When we went through the guard posts it was not operated but could be, entrance to the actual base operations is manned. They have a retreat center that you may be interested in to stay. Also Fort Hunter Liggett has a hotel from the Hearst Castle era that may be available for your stay also. http://liggett.army.mil/sites/local/home.asp

As of Sept. 2014 the mission is under retrofitting and restoration, but the is still open. Well-done, interesting exhibits; best collection of musical instruments and distinctive baskets that I remember seeing at any mission, or perhaps even any museum. This mission is now offering a variety of free cultural programs and speakers, and it is the only California mission where you can rent a room, suite or 'casita' for the night for spiritual or educational purposes. Gift shop sells works by local artists as well as the usual mission gift shop merchandise. Had driven past the exit to the mission for many years and finally made it a point to get there. [It is at Fort Hunter Liggett, not Camp Roberts. When we visited we did not have to stop and present ID, etc., but mission staff says that could change any time on a whim so best to come prepared. Recommend getting on their email list if they have one, as they offer very interesting events throughout the year.

On a whim, upon leaving Mission San Miguel de Arcangel, we headed out to Jolon to visit Mission San Antonio de Padua. Mission San Antonio is a bit remote. Visitors must travel through a military base to reach it, BUT it is worth the drive. Even though many structures on site are in ruins, it is easy to see the scope of mission life. We spent about 2 hours exploring and wished we'd had a little more time(hours are 10-4). The museum displays are informative, and visitors need to make a point to see the original wine vat & cellar on site. The mission building and accompanying gardens are beautiful. Our two boys were thrilled to find the mission cats, Rosario and Spirit, lounging under a bench.The mission is still an active parish and subsists on donations and purchases of many artisan crafted items available in the gift shop.The grounds are peaceful and beautiful, and it is clear why the mission offers retreat stays. If you are in the region, Mission San Antonio is well worth the out of the way drive to visit.

We visited five missions during a five day trip and this was my favorite. I just liked the feel I got from it. There were a group of teenagers on site attending a leadership workshop and it was joyous to see their eager and fresh faces. They were so excited and had come from a variety of parishes. We also met the resident cats -- Rosario (black) and Spirit (Himalayan). Rosario climbed right into my husband's lap, curled around a few times and then made himself at home! There is so much to see at this mission and around the grounds. It was worth the 23 mile drive out of our way.

Ive been lucky enough to several Missions, some more than once. But San Antonio de Padua is something truly special. While more rustic than the more well know Missions, its remote location and gorgeous landscape makes this one stand out. The drive alone to get there should be on any road trippers list. We drove here via Ferguson/Nacimiento road from Big Sur. As stated in other reviews, Padua is on a Military base so once you go thru the base boundaries, make sure you obey the speed limit. We were going well below the speed limit in awe of the Oak studded countryside, and you may find yourself doing that too.The Mission literally takes you back in time. Aside from the base off in the distance, there is nothing else here just an absolute jewel of California history. No gas station, no fast food, virtually no other sign of civilization. No crowds either. There is no entrance fee but they do accept donations, which we happily obliged to. We were there about an hour an a half, and saw everything. Since they rely on donations, their gift shop was quite extensive with the usual Mission related items but also cool local artists jewelry, photography, and art in various mediums. Have a chat with the lady inside the shop, sweet and full of history.If youre in the Big Sur area and enjoy Mission history, you will be robbing yourself from something truly special if you do not go, plus the drive is just a big wow. Just make sure you have enough gas and refreshments.

Mission San Antonio de Padua is certainly the most remote of all the surviving original California missions. Unlke many of the ones on view today, it is not a modern reproduction of an older structure long since destroyed or washed away by the forces of time. More important, due to its remote location in the middle of the Fort Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation located half-way between U.S. 101 and California Highway 1, it is totally off-the-beaten track and far less visited than the other 20 California missions. When you do visit it, you can really see and feel what the original missions were like. There is virtually no modern development near it (except the parking lot off to the side, and the center of the Military Reservation down the narrow road). Yet it is not that hard to find it or get there, if you simply get a good road map or have a GPS. The buildings are necessarily somewhat restored -- largely through the beneficence of William Randolph Hearst, whose Hearst Castle is just over the coast range to the west. What is most attractive about this place, other than its beauty and remoteness, is simply the tangible quiet and silence one feels there. There is a very spiritual feeling about the place, no matter what one's faith or lack thereof. The gardens are also very beautiful. This is well worth a visit if you are traveling on Highway 101 between San Francisco and points south. Just look for the Jolon exit onto county road G14.

Charming. Well worth the 23 miles off the 101 from King City (heading south). At the end of a meandering road through a relatively untouched countryside of rolling hills, vineyards and many trees is a giant army base surrounding the mission.We spoke with a woman who currently runs and operates the gift shop, plus other things, and she was so interesting and hospitable, we could have talked with her for hours. Only wish we could remember her name.The mission is definitely off the beaten path, but we found the experience well worth the extra gas and the extra time added to our trip. If you love missions, you will not be disappointed in this beauty. There are a number of remarkable art pieces, statues, paintings, candle sticks, crucifixes, etc at this mission. It is beautiful, and like with all missions there is a great deal of history to be learned.

Mission San Antonio de Padua is remote and peaceful, still functioning as a church and the best chance you'll have to see what early settlers in California experienced. The tour is a must, very informative. And ask about Rosario, an affectionate Mission cat. He has a great story of his own. Good website with information on tours and special events. There's also a good museum and a unique gift store with locally-made crafts and keepsakes.Don't be put off by the drive through Fort Hunter-Liggett - just keep following the signs for the Mission and you'll get there.

Great history and well taken care of. The church is active but just so much history here! The Mission has a gift shop and you can sign up to stay there a few days and help out at the Mission.