Just a short distance east
of Hwy 101 south of Gilroy, San Juan Bautista has become
one of my favorites. A partnership has been formed between
the Church, the State Parks Department, the towns people.
The Mission is owned and operated
by the Catholic Church. But just across the street are
the Plaza Hotel and stable, blacksmith shop, granary,
jail and several houses maintained by the State Parks
Department. An extra fee is required, but well worth it.
And finally, you can walk through
the downtown area where historical buildings have plaques
describing their history.