(Ask the friendly staff inside the museum/gift shop. Atop the bell tower is a small cactus with an interesting story. The campanario (bell tower) is unique in that it is not attached to the mission itself but stands separately and proudly outside the 'Campo Sancto' - cemetery. The museum has a very nice display of baskets and stone implements as well as items used for celebrating Mass. The floor tiles are worn and lovely from countless visitors over the many years.
Walls are painted in Native American Indian design. The Chapel has roof timbers from the local Palomar mountains. It is the only historic mission facility still serving a Mission Indian tribe. Today it is located in the Pala Indian Reservation located in northern San Diego County. The Pala Asistencia was part of the Spanish missions, asistencias, and estancias system in Alta California. We would definitely recommend stopping by.
The San Antonio de Pala Asistencia, or the 'Pala Mission', was founded on June 13, 1816. Pechanga wins hands down if you are doing a bachelor/ette or. Pechanga has better selection of gambling, bars, restaurants, access, shows.but I still prefer Pala. I dont reek like cigarette smoke after walking though the casino. My husband and I are visiting all of the Missions in California (five in the past month) and also wanted to see the 'asistencias' - the mission outposts situated more inland. Buffett is newer and seems to taste better.