Looking for a whopping dose of California state history? There’s likely no better entry point than the missions. Here’s a look at seven of the northernmost missions out of California’s 21, from San Juan Bautista to San Francisco Solano de Sonoma. Between these historic landmarks, you can meander through serene preserves such as Mission Peak Regional Preserve and China Camp State Park. Along the way, you'll stop for meals at local eateries offering everything from international flavors to farm-fresh fare, showcasing the region’s distinctive culinary scene. By journey’s end, you’ll have explored the rich culture, natural landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine, all woven into the centuries-old thread of California history.

Featured Photo: Mission Santa Cruz courtesy of Matt314 via Wikimedia Commons

Founded in 1797, Mission San Juan Bautista is the largest church in the mission chain and the only one in continuous service. Located just off Highway 101 between Salinas and Gilroy, the town of San Juan Bautista retains a 19th-century village feel with cute shops and restaurants. The mission complex, a short drive or easy walk from town, sits above a picturesque farming valley, surrounded by the restored buildings of the original city plaza.

A two-mile walking trail encompasses both the State Historic Park where the mission is located and Downtown National Historic District. One highlight: The Plaza Hotel, built five years before the mission was founded, once housed Native American converts and laborers for the project and was recently restored.

The mission was badly damaged in the 1906 earthquake that famously decimated San Francisco. Turns out the notorious San Andreas Fault is responsible for the damage in both communities. Look for the historical marker on the mission’s grounds commemorating the Fault’s impact here and in other parts of California.

Seek out the daily specials at Jardines de San Juan to enjoy on the colorful, well-shaded patio. Sunday means tacos al pastor where three double tortillas are layered with braised pork and pineapple. Any day of the week, the combination plates, like a tamale with shredded beef taco arrives with heaps of beans and rice. You won’t leave hungry.

Perched in the dunes just north of Monterey and steps from Marina State Beach, The Sanctuary Beach Resort is a pet-friendly hotel and spa boasts a heated pool and nightly bonfires. Don’t miss the onsite restaurant Salt Wood. It’s Monterey seafood-focused (sustainable, of course) and dishes like steamed mussels and chilled local oysters are highlights, though the steak frites is damn good, too.

Now part of a California State Park, the church that is named for the Holy Cross was rebuilt in 1931 after the original 1791 adobe church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1857. Note that the only original building that survived is a single-story residence where mission staff and California Indian residents lived. The current mission includes a gift shop and museum that houses a collection of antique silk vestments sewn with silver and gold thread.

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is just two miles downhill from the mission. The Boardwalk hosts California’s best-known and best-loved roller coaster, the Giant Dipper. Get your ya-ya’s out as you whoosh down the coaster before heading to the beach. For a “curiouser” experience, try The Mystery Spot where a tour of the gravitational anomalies is pure infotainment — campy, schticky and punny — that you will either love or gag at.

With a stylish and comfy interior and a perfect view of the beach, Jack O’Niell Restaurant & Lounge makes for a perfect night out. The menu is designed to showcase everything California’s coast can provide, whether that’s in their ahi tuna poke with jalapeno ponzu or their seared scallops with beluga lentils and rainbow chard. For a truly stunning experience, come shortly before sunset and ask for a table by a window.

Located on the quiet side of Santa Cruz Beach, Dream Inn Santa Cruz is within easy walking distance of the boardwalk and is steps from the beach. The pool has beach views, too.

The first mission named for a woman, Claire of Assisi, is also the last mission founded by Father Junipero Serra, who died in 1784, a few years after Santa Clara was founded in 1777. Reconstructed after a fire in 1926, the mission sits on the University of Santa Clara campus and serves as the university chapel. Wander its garden to see a massive 150-year-old wisteria, antique roses and a cork tree, the mission’s source for wine bottle corks. (It’s a renewable resource.)

Want to know how the Silicon Valley went from being known for its lemon and orange groves to becoming a hub for technological innovation? Stop in at the Computer History Museum. Innovations from the past 2000 years are on display or take a stab at being a hacker in the demo lab where an IBM 1401 mainframe awaits your challenge.

Since its founding, Din Tai Fung has become synonymous with quality, consistency, and warm hospitality. With a menu boasting far more than just Xiao Long Bao, the brand has won many accolades, including the coveted Michelin Star five times at its Hong Kong branch, and has introduced a taste of authentic Taiwanese cuisine to 13 countries, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Europe, and Thailand.