Mission San Francisco Solano is the northernmost of the 21 California missions, founded in 1823 by Father José Altimira. Located in Sonoma, it was established to serve the growing population in the area and to protect the northern frontier of Spanish California. The mission features a simple adobe structure and a beautiful garden, reflecting the typical architecture of the time. It played a significant role in the development of the region and is now part of the California State Parks system, attracting visitors interested in California's history and the mission era.