The San Luis Rey Mission, founded in 1798, is one of the 21 California missions established by Spanish Franciscan missionaries. Located in Oceanside, California, it was named after Saint Louis of France and served as a center for agriculture and education in the region. The mission played a significant role in the spread of Christianity among the local Native American populations. The mission features a beautiful church, gardens, and historic buildings that reflect the Spanish colonial architecture. Today, the San Luis Rey Mission is a popular tourist destination and a site for cultural events, preserving the history and heritage of the early California mission system.