Mission San Diego de Alcalá is the first of the 21 California missions, founded in 1769 by Father Junípero Serra. Located in San Diego, it served as a religious and cultural center for the local Kumeyaay people and Spanish settlers. The mission played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity and European culture in California. The mission's architecture features a beautiful church with a distinctive bell tower and a courtyard surrounded by adobe buildings. Over the years, it has undergone several restorations and is now a historical site, attracting visitors who wish to learn about California's early history and the mission system.