Tour highlights life during the mission era

OCEANSIDE — Held in conjunction with Mission San Luis Rey’s Earth Day Celebration, another popular and informative behind-the-scenes tour will be held on Sunday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Aimed at providing visitors with a better understanding of what life was like during the mission era, the tour will be led by Dr. Jack Williams, executive director of the Center for Spanish Colonial Research in San Diego. An archaeologist and historian on various research projects in the US, Mexico, South America and Europe, he has a particular interest in the Native Americans and early colonization of the Southwest and California.

Included in the tour are areas of the 56 acres of mission property generally not accessible to the public. Fourth-graders will receive educational packets ($5 value). Reservations are required and can be made by calling (760) 757-3651, ext. 115. Cost is $7 per person.