The Mission of Our Lady of Loreto is a historic Spanish mission located in California, founded in 1697 by the Jesuit missionary Juan María de Salvatierra. It was the first mission established in the Baja California region and played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity among the indigenous peoples. The mission is named after the Italian shrine of Loreto, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It served as a center for religious, cultural, and agricultural development, influencing the local communities and contributing to the establishment of other missions in the area.