Mission Espada
Misión San Francisco de la Espada
The southernmost mission. Nearby, the Espada Aqueduct is one of the oldest Spanish aqueducts still in use in the United States.
Mission San Francisco de la Espada is the southernmost of the four missions. Its small chapel has a distinctive arched doorway, and the surroundings are peaceful. About 2 kilometers away, the Espada Aqueduct was built in the 1730s and still channels river water into irrigation canals, making it a representative example of the missions' water system. Admission is free. From downtown it is about 16 kilometers by bike along the river, and you can return your shared bike at the endpoint.
Opening hours
09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Mission San Juan Capistrano
- Mission San José
- Mission Concepción
- King William Historic District
- Tower of the Americas
- Hemisfair
- La Villita Historic Arts Village
- Briscoe Western Art Museum