The Natural Beauty of Mission San Miguel
Don’t Miss the Natural Beauty of Mission San Miguel
Mission San Miguel is a peaceful retreat for those lucky enough to live in the Paso Robles area of California. Tourists and local school classes also visit the mission as part of their study of California missions, since missions are an important part of California history. Many visitors take the tour of the museum, take a quick look around the grounds, and leave. They miss a lot of the natural beauty of Mission San Miguel.
The real beauty of Mission San Miguel is revealed when people explore the grounds slowly and allow themselves to absorb the peace that surrounds them as they take time to watch the wildlife and enjoy the gardens. The cemetery has an atmosphere all its own as one senses the history that goes back hundreds of years. After all, Mission San Miguel was founded by Franciscan Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen in 1797, only eight years after George Washington became the First President of the United States.
As you come from the parking lot, this is where you enter Mission San Miguel’s cactus garden where you will also see historic relics. Hubby is standing in the entrance. He is disabled and can’t walk very far, so I will be taking the long walk all the way around the mission by myself. I had no idea how far I would be walking until I’d reached the point of no return and had to finish. It’s like walking around a small town, which, indeed it was a couple of centuries ago.
The Gardens and Their Inhabitants Display The Natural Beauty of Mission San Miguel
Since there is so much to see, I will concentrate on the natural beauty of Mission San Miguel I found in the plants and animals on the grounds. Below is a ground squirrel I had a lot of fun watching as it played hide and seek from its home in this stump. See the rest of my photos of its antics here.
The fountain is in the cactus garden, too.
Below is a barrel cactus beginning to bloom.
Elderberry trees like this one are native to California.
I came upon these intermingled colorful blooming cacti on the side of the road as I walked around the mission.
I also saw this prickly pear cactus in bloom along the path I was taking around the mission.
As I was approaching the front of the mission where I’d started my walk, I saw this pigeon keeping watch from the top of this old arch.
We will end our tour of beautiful San Miguel Mission with this silhouette of a pigeon on a cactus. Dusk was rapidly approaching as we prepared to leave. The mission buildings were already closed. If you are ever near Mission San Miguel, I hope you will stop and find the peace that so many others have found in this lovely and tranquil historic place.
Now it’s time for you to visit Mission San Miguel.
If you enjoyed this visual tour of the natural beauty of San Miguel Mission, please share this post with others. The photo below is just the right size to share on Pinterest.
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What a gorgeous place! I love California since the weather is nicer than Michigan, thus, makes it easier to enjoy places like this.
I was in Santa Barbara for February, and I love all the little beaches around there.
I can’t afford the parking at the Santa Barbara city beaches, but I love the beach at Summerland just south of Santa Barbara where there is a nice park and parking is free.
wow, how beautiful. thank-you for sharing. I love the pictures.
Thank you for your comment. I love San Miguel.
Such gorgeous photos! I especially enjoyed the ones of the flowering cacti. I always feel that I’m right there in California with you, when I look at your photos Barb 🙂
I’m glad you feel that way, Kyla. That’s what I hope most readers will feel. I was lucky to visit when the cacti were blooming.
What beautiful photos of the San Miguel Mission. I pinned a couple. It’s so great to know about your blog. Can’t wait to see more.
Thank you very much, Rebecca. It’s a beautiful place.