El Camino Real (The Royal Highway), which historically connected the 21 Spanish missions in California, has a southern and a northern terminus. The northern end of the historic trail is at Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores) in San Francisco, although the commemorative "Bells" extend further north to Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma. The southern end is generally considered to be Mission San Diego de Alcalá in San Diego. However, the road technically originated in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico, as part of a much longer trail system. In modern California, El Camino Real is largely synonymous with U.S. Route 101 and State Route 82. You can follow the route today by looking for the iconic cast-iron mission bells that line the highway, marking the path used by Spanish missionaries and soldiers centuries ago. The total route spans approximately 600 miles, serving as a historic backbone for the state's coastal geography and development.