The Spanish settled Alta California by building missions and accompanying presidios. Alta California included what is now California plus Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Alta (Northern) California contrasts with Baja (Lower) California. Presidios were military fortresses for protecting the missions. We’ve visited a fair number of missions across the west. Today was Old Mission Santa Barbara near the California coast.
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- There are still adobe brick walls in the mission although there is newer construction material as well.
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- California means earthquakes.
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- The missions of the Camino Real (King’s Highway) which we followed part way.
