A notable example of an intact complex is the now-threatened Mission San Miguel Arcángel : its chapel retains the original interior murals created by Salinan Indians under the direction of Esteban Munras , a Spanish artist and last Spanish diplomat to California . This structure was closed to the public from 2003 to 2009 due to severe damage from the San Simeon earthquake . Many missions have preserved ( or in some cases reconstructed ) historic features in addition to chapel buildings
San Simeon earthquake
2003 San Simeon earthquake
Spanish missions in California