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Mission Santa Barbara
Rating Details »
Categories: Museums, Religious Organizations [Edit]
2201 Laguna StSanta Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-4713
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
33 reviews for Mission Santa Barbara
I dropped off my friend at a nearby hospital in Santa Barbara for his interview and went on my own so I decided to explore. I hopped on the Freeway and headed to Solvang on my own. Afterwards, I decided to check out the Mission since my friend wasn't done yet.
Out of all the missions, I've visited, this one is in the best condition. It appears newer than the other ones I've visited. If you've never been to any other missions before, definitely check this out. The other missions can be eerie. If you're into architecture and history, this is the place to check out.
Only Santa Barbara would have a mission that glows pearly pink. It fits into the neighborhood very nicely, thank you.
Nothing wrong with beauty and this mission has all of that. They have the money to take care of the place and the self-guided tour lets you see all of it. Great gardens, lots of quality exhibitions, knowledgeable docents and the usual pleasant weather make for a nice visit indeed.
This was a busy and important mission when it was established and it still is today. Loads of kids on field trips, lots of tour buses and us tourists from all over the world wander through this fine place.
Still, it doesn't seem crowded. People seem to get lost in the place, the buses don't linger and the kids run around on the big lawns out front.
Santa Barbara was once like any other developer-driven city, paving over everything but the actual mission buildings. I hope they are kept awake at night by the screams of... oh, well.
This leads us to the presidio down in the center of town. This being an important place strategically and with a port even, defenses were needed. Most missions had a handful of soldiers, but they obviously would not be able to repel a serious invasion.
The presidio was an actual fort and provided a real military presence in the area. I don't think the fort was ever attacked, but the soldiers did go off on Special Ops missions to nab criminals and insurgents.
The presidio had its own very modest chapel. Interestingly, the "white" people used this little chapel and the native people used the bigger and far more ornate chapel up the hill at the mission. Quite the opposite of what one would expect. Probably, the idea was that the indigenous population needed to be impressed and made to feel important.
So, go to the mission, but also visit the presidio. They were all part of the same political, military and religious effort and should be seen in context.
The last time Gayle and I were in Santa Barbara, we decided to a "short" walk from the Fess Parker Doubletree Hotel to Mission Santa Barbara. We both refer to it now as the "Death March" since our scattered sense of direction sent us all over the hills, until I think we finally stumbled on the Mission by accident. We even stopped and asked for directions a few times, which didn't seem to help much. I think we also somehow missed the direction signs to the Mission that we later saw on our way back. At one point, Gayle looked over at me and said: "It's a good thing for you that this walk was my idea!"
And seeing Mission Santa Barbara and the surrounding gardens and park land was well worth the time and trouble. You can't help but being awed by it all (the history, the architecture, the pageantry, etc.) regardless of who you call G-d (or don't). The Mission and the grounds are simply drop dead gorgeous.
And afterwards, I guess we were physically (and spiritually) refreshed enough to walk further. So far in fact, that we ended up at Brophy Bros (on the water) for dinner.
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Beautiful, not difficult to find, and there's a bus line (22) that brings you directly to the front steps. Also, if you''ve got a bike, Santa Barbara is so bike friendly that you could easily ride to it from wherever you are.There's a lawn about 3 acres large across the street from the Mission and a rose garden if you just came to read, do homework, or have a picnic.
Costs about 5 bucks to get into the mission to look around, which I had no problem paying because the money goes toward keeping the place standing. To just stand on the grounds and take pictures of the exterior is free. They also have a cute little gift shop.
There is some good street-hiking in the area and the museum of Natural History is right near by--there is a planetarium with daily shows! If you hit up this area, just travel by foot. It gives you a chance to move slowly and take everything in :)
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To me this is heaven.. I love this place not only because I'm catholic but bcz of it's history.. $5.00, so what!! It goes back to the museum and it is so worth it. We had driven 2 hours to get here from Disneyland and it really opened up my kids eyes.. When we got there, they said " oh it's just a church " Once we walked inside and my wife started to go over the details of how her grandmother used this and that they really paid attention. They paid more attention when we were outside and saw the graves of priest, sisters ect.. that were almost over 200 yrs old..
The chapel is what really took my breath away.. My wife and I have gone before but it has been a few years, I mostly wanted the kids to see this with their own eyes... The Murals are just beautiful, there are two that are the largest in California!!!! As I bowed my head and fell to my knees for a private personal prayer, I felt that I was on sacred land, that what I was praying was actually being heard. It brought tears to my eyes when I turned and saw the kids doing the same. ( Not crying though ) The Bishops that are burried in the chapel below the floor are marked with their names and years of life....
Once we went inside the towards the end of the self tour we saw englassed items that were used during the times that the Mission was being built and how they ate.. I would highly recommend this place to any catholic or non-catholic to stop by and see it with your own eyes.. Just beautiful!!!
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A must-see in Santa Barbara. Make sure you give yourself at least an hour to see the gardens and museum on it's $5/person self-guided tour. Plenty of parking, good bathrooms (that even feature a chalk board inside if you are so included to graffiti), and plenty of photo-opts.
SUPPORT LOCAL HISTORY!
(though, I wonder, does anyone else have a problem with them STILL calling the natives in the area "Indians?" Anyone?)
All of the California Missions are worth visiting.
That being said, I don't agree with it's title as queen of the missions. I liked the one in Carmel better.
This one is nice, and it is big. It is also still very much in use and quite popular. It's story is intersting with the earthquake history.
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Just like any other missions, visit this place if you have the opportunity! It's an great place for the kids. This was the third stop for me and the daughter during our mission trip. This was one of our favorites. Loved the church, and museum. We had a great time, at a very beautiful place.
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My husband and I made our second visit here today. The first time we came right before New Years with his parents.
I didn't think I'd be that impressed, so when his parents paid for us all to take the tour I was like "big deal" (in my mind, but not out loud!). I wasn't in museum mode. But once I got inside, my attitude changed.
I appreciate how they display the adobe to show you what it was like to live there and to hold worship services there. The Chapel is amazingly beautiful, inside and out. I love the garden area. So now I'm glad I've been inside, and I'd pay to go back if we have friends visiting who'd want to see a beautiful mission.
Today we found the Aqueduct remains and walked in the Rose Garden. They have rose plants dating back to the 1800s (if I'm understanding the signs correctly), plus specimens from many decades since then. They have all different kinds of roses, some I'd never seen before.
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It's worth a visit for the $5 self-guided tour fee. I've only been to one other Mission (San Juan Capistrano Mission) and this one is pretty small in comparison to that one. The entire mission can probably be seen in about half an hour, but they have some interesting displays and facts about the Mission. It has a pretty rose garden out front and a big green pasture that you can just sit and chill on.
We came when Mass had just started so we took a peek inside the chapel and it was quite beautiful. The mass service was pretty packed too. It doesn't hurt to come by and check this place out if you have some free time on your hands.
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This is a beautiful mission. The church itself is pink. I bet it's be a lovely sight if we stayed till sunset.
I wasn't quite happy about the fact that we got turned away by the staff when we tried to enter the chapel after their 4pm mass on Saturday. I understand we could have arrived earlier but telling us to come back at 7am the next day when we asked if we could go in to pray for a short while was not helpful, given that we were driving all the way up here. It is unlikely that one of us will ever be in California again in the near future.
Most churches do keep their doors locked unless it's mass time but if you were holding the door open to let people out (and I THINK I saw people trying to sneak in eventually) you might as well let us in :(
I can pray anywhere. Meh.
Plan on spending up to half a day here. Take the time to enjoy the history and artwork that is part of the Mission. I loved reading the comments left by the curator with the assorted paintings and such. "This piece is one of the better paintings at the Mission", "This piece...not so much"...It was very refreshing that the curator called it like s/he saw it.
Also don't forget to walk the grounds across the street to view the ruins of the lower and upper reservoirs and aqueduct
Otherwise known as the Queen of the Missions, this historic mission is still in use today - equipped with monks, nuns, and regular services.
This is not merely a tourist stop; locals frequent the mission and it's community maintained rose garden all week. I myself spent many a lunch hour with other coworkers on the lawn amid deli sandwiches, roses, and a panoramic view of the entire Santa Barbara coastline.
Weddings are frequently held in the shadow of this well kept monument and weekends herald the many Frisbee and soccer games amid amateur locals.
A word for the adventurous: the mission grounds extend far beyond the cathedral and open lawn. Ask around in the gift shop to find out where to find the nunnery and other remnants of the mission long since forgotten.
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This is a beautiful Mission. It is a little smaller than other missions, but makes up for it by being so lovely. I went on a Sunday, and Mass was still in. I waited around so I could see inside the chapel. There were so many people it felt weird going in. I wouldn't recommend going on a Sunday. The Garden was beautiful. You couldn't go in it, thats probably why it is so pretty, but I looked like a nice place to relax.
There really wasn't a whole lot to see there. I wouldn't go back, but I enjoyed it enough that I was happy I stopped.
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Described as the Queen of the Missions, established on December, 4th,1786 during the Feast of St. Barbara, MIssion Santa Barabara sits up the Santa Barbara hills with a gracious and serene charm.
It is the tenth of the 21 missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans. Padre Junipero Serra established the first 9, but died two years prior to Mission Santa Barbara. It was his successor, Padre Fermin Franicisco de Lasuen who first rasied the cross, and appointed Padre Antonio Paterna to run and manage the mission, Paterna had the buildings built.
The current church, preceded by 3 smaller ones, was dedicated in 1820.
Prior to the Spanish, the area was home to the Chumash Indians, who were hunter/gatherers, but also skilled artisans in basket weaving and stone work.
The Museum in the mission has a lot of antique items and period pieces, including Chumash, Mexican and Spanish artifacts. The self guided museum tour can take you through 14 areas of interest, from a missionary's bedroom to the Chapel, garden and kitchen.
It is one of the more majestic of the California missions in architecture, with a bell tower and fountains, and its museum is one of the better ones. The donation to tour is only $5 and it is a worthwhile stop on your central coast tour. There is a nice large lawn in front for you to picnic or enjoy the great weather..
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Very pretty outdoors, but underwhelming overall. After 20 minutes of shuffling through small rooms packed with cheesy displays of centuries-old artifacts you begin to feel you're on a junior high school field trip.
The best part for us was when the wedding party emerged from the chapel. Amazing what people wear to a wedding these days. I swear some of those women had on cocktail dresses.
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my favorite mission. its beauty is unsurpassed. the tour is interesting, but I usually skip it. If you have never done it, pay the $6 and walk through! The church is lovely, but not as authentic as it use to be, since it is still a working parish and thus modernized. Having said this, I believe one of the highlights of my life was midnight mass in Latin, Christmas Eve. I am Catholic, but not practicing and this mass blew me away. It was interesting and touching and made me really really tired. (that's bad right?) oops.
The grounds are really lovely at dusk and the rose garden out front is nice to check out.
Decent tour and only 5 bucks. I really think this is one of the more beautiful missions in California. The large lawn in front is really pretty and the location the mission it is set in is really lovely! The tour starts in the gift shop (suggestive selling eh?) But I don't mind because I know the money is well spent to keep up the mission. So basically you're helping support the preservation of a historical site...nothing wrong with that! So shop away...you know you always wanted a devotional candle, a missionary figurine, or a pen :) Well maybe you do lol. The tour is decently interesting and informative. Too bad you can't go upstairs. What is up with that in historical buildings they never let you go upstairs always a damn rope! BLAH!
Overall this mission is really pretty and a nice little self-guided tour.
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Stop #7 on this neverending Santa Ynez tour. The Memorial Day Weekend I Maddonari festival showcased local work or better said 'chalk art' from artists, students, and really just about anyone with colored chalk in their hands. Great little spot to walk through, check on the art and local fare, and snap some photos with the sweetie.
Would definitely recommend parking on side streets to avoid the madness.
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I'm a fan of history, so I enjoyed my trip to Mission Santa Barbara. After spending hours of looking at beautiful homes in the Santa Barbara area, it was nice to come across this historic building. Obviously, restoration has paid a visit to this building and I'm glad it did. This place is great for photo ops. There's a nice gift area inside and you're also given the opportunity to take a tour for a small fee of $5. This is place should be on your list when coming to Santa Barbara.
One of my favorite places in the world is the lawn in front of Mission Santa Barbara.
My favorite place in the world to eat lunch at, is the lawn in front of Mission Santa Barbara on a Sunday in November when the air is warm and clear. The view... You can see forever!
Pick up some food at one of the many good restraunts on State Street and head up to the mission for a picnic. You won't be dissapointed.
And then after lunch, go down to Stearns Wharf and try to find the mission on one of those quarter-to-use telescopes.
Yeah, I know, so childlike, but it's f'n fun.
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Stopped here today. 5 dollar fee for the self guided tour. I have never been in another mission, so I have nothing to compare it to. It was pretty though. It didn't take long to walk through. If you're in the area, you may as well stop through.
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The Spaniards gave Native Americans a God and all we got was a bunch of missions.
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I haven't really been to any of the other missions, but this was cool because of it's size. The historical stuff wasn't well explained or interesting and aside from getting to attend mass it wasn't that much fun.
I would go to the rose garden across the street and have a picnic with the Mission in the background next time.
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I feel so sorry for the previous reviewers who actually went inside. They obviously haven't heard of a little thing called the I Maddonari festival. Serious! Every year over Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of local artists, students, and randoms transform the courtyard and walkways into ephemeral chalk art. Individuals and groups can recreate a favorite work of art in chalk or create their own unique one. You would NOT believe what some people can do with chalk. (And take it from someone whose highschool had us do the festival in miniature - rubbing that stuff into the concrete hurts like a MoFo.) Add some live music, grassy space, and a sunny afternoon, and you have a great antidote to State Steet sub-urbia. You can choose to go early in the weekend to see works in progress, or later in the weekend to see the art in all its glory.
http://www.imadonnarif.../
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Santa Barbara is where my innermost historical nerd breaks free and runs around squealing. I love that it is such a combination of Greco-Roman and Arabic architecture, demonstrating the Roman and Muslim periods in Spanish history, just thousands of miles away, here on the Santa Barbara coast. the clean lines and pillars, plus the wide arches, and walkways, are stunning. The lone cross raised up, clothed in red on Easter, is particularly striking, and downright amazing. I adore this mission for its beauty and serenity, and make it a must-see for any mission enthusiast.
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Um 5 bucks, old history, and japanese dudes with cameras, sweet!
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Probably one of the prettiest of the California Missions, though it is on the small side. It is very active with the local community, sponsoring a ton of events, including Fiesta Old Spanish Days and is focal point for the history and tradition behind Santa Barbara itself. Take a drive up the hill and you'll end up right in the heart of the American Riviera with fabulous views of Santa Barbara and plenty of houses that will make any millionaire jealous!
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This is located in a beautiful hillside in Santa Barbara, just a easy drive away from the beach area. The admission is only $5 and you get to see the museum, beautiful courtyard with the fountain and flowers blooming, the chapel (breathtaking!), and cemetery area. There are number of paintings, sculptures, and just the building itself that's amazing and it's well worth the trip if you ever go to Santa Barbara. There is a small gift shop but no food other than stuff from a vending machine by the bathroom. There's a nice large park across the street as well as a very short drive away (this one has a hiking trail) so you can make a day out of it too if you bring snacks on you own.
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I love this mission. Parking is fairly easy. There is usually crowds. They have a beautiful courtyard, but the cemetary in the back is the high point for me. If you are into California history, then you will recognize a lot of names. Beautiful grounds and very well taken care of
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Seriously, who declared this the "Queen of the Missions"? The Santa Barbara Tourist Bureau?? I was thoroughly underwhelmed by this mission...and for the record I DID go on a day (previously unbeknownst to me) when they were having the chalk drawing festival and the sheer number of people (and their whining kids and their hugenormous strollers) made me want to stab myself in the eye. So maybe my disdain for this Mission is more based on the hellish experience of actually trying to GET to it, but whatever.
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Considered a "must see" for Santa Barbara tourists, but I'd suggested skipping it. The Mission is not particularly beautiful and the museum is a bunch of dusty dioramas. Stick to the beach and oyster shooters and you won't regret it :).
There are more interesting sites in SB and there are better missions in CA to visit. I get tired of having to enter THROUGH the gift shop (really turns me off to buying any souveniers) and when we found out there was an additional fee to see the grounds we left. Spectacular views however.
