Step back into California's rich history at Mission San Francisco de Asís, commonly known as Mission Dolores. Situated in San Francisco's Mission District, this historic Catholic church complex was founded on October 9, 1776, by Spanish Franciscan missionaries Frs Francisco Palóu and Pedro Benito Cambón. The heart of the site features two primary buildings: the adobe chapel and the Mission Dolores Basilica.
Completed in 1791 with labor from the local indigenous Ohlone people, the adobe chapel features four-foot-thick walls and stands today as the oldest intact structure in San Francisco. Adjacent to it, the Mission Dolores Basilica—completed in 1918 after an earlier brick parish church was destroyed by the 1906 earthquake—boasts elaborate churrigueresque ornamentation and a vibrant stained glass window of St. Francis of Assisi by Franz Xaver Zettler.
When you visit, you can explore San Francisco's oldest cemetery, holding the unmarked graves of approximately 5,000 indigenous Ohlone and Miwok individuals alongside notable historic figures. You will also discover beautiful outdoor spaces, including a native plant garden, an Ohlone ethno-botanic garden, and a rose garden maintained by the Golden Gate Rose Society.
What to see at Mission San Francisco de Asís
- Marvel at the 1791 adobe chapel, San Francisco's oldest intact structure.
- View the 1918 Mission Dolores Basilica, featuring churrigueresque details and stained glass.
- Explore the cemetery containing the unmarked graves of 5,000 indigenous people.
- Stroll through native plant gardens, an Ohlone ethno-botanic garden, and a rose garden.
- See historic artwork, including an 1791 Ohlone wall mural and a 1909 Arthur Putnam statue.
Visiting tips
Don't miss the hidden 1791 Ohlone mural depicting the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary tucked behind the historic altar in the adobe chapel.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Mission San Francisco de Asís is easy to reach on San Francisco’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our San Francisco travel guide.
See the full San Francisco travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.