Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was founded in 1772 by Father Junipero Serra in the Valley of the Bears. It was the 5th mission along the 21 California missions. It was named after St. Luis of Anjou, bishop of Toulouse, France. In 1769 a Spanish expedition led by Gaspar de Portola, traveled on a journey north to Monterey. Missionary president Junipero Serra, traveled by water and caught up to the Portola party and founded the Carmel Mission. In 1772 food was decreasing when Father Junipero remembered the tales of the Valley of the Bears and ordered a hunting expedition for food to feed the Spanish and neophytes(native Americans who turned to Christianity)in Monterey. The big victory of the hunting expedition affected Father Junipero to build a mission in the area. During the investigation he was convinced that San Luis Obispo was the perfect name in the perfect area due to great weather, great resources, and a friendly local Indian tribe to deliver the labor in building the mission.