Old Mission Santa Barbara
Old Mission Santa Barbara
4.5
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Visitors can tour this historic Franciscan mission that features twin bell towers and lovely gardens.
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- D-LeaderWaynesboro, Virginia205 contributionsBeautiful California MissionThis mission is the gem of the California missions, and one not to miss. It has an amazing courtyard with beautiful plants and trees. The old church is beautifully preserved, and active today. The side chapels are lovely, especially the one with St. Francis and St. Claire. The two towers make it unusual for the California missions. These is a nice museum and shop as well.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 13, 2023
- runinCODenver, Colorado225 contributionsInteresting StopPaid for the self-guided tour, which was a bit pricey at $15. The audio worked about half the time depending upon where you were in the complex. The information was interesting and helped give context for the sites. Interesting that learn about connections with the children’s book “Island of the Blue Dolphins”Visited December 2023Traveled soloWritten January 2, 2024
- ATraversLeMonde_2011Sparks, Nevada30 contributionsHistorical treasureHistorical treasure. Must see if you're going to be in Santa Barbara. Garden could be better kept - but that may be a seasonal issue (visited in March 2024). Cemetery was off limits during visit. Overall, very spiritual and serene. Expect to LEARN a lot, as opposed to seeing a lot. Well worth the visit.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 16, 2024
- rob hDoorwerth, The Netherlands417 contributionsAmazing old Mission Post!Must see this old Mission Pist in Santa Barbara. The location is very beautiful and calm with a nice view over the Oacifuc in the distance. Interesting tour that tells a lot about the history as of 1782 ac.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 23, 2024
- Thomas VOakland, California17,533 contributionsOne of the Best MissionsThis is one of the best historic sites in town and we spent a lot of time here, reading all the plaques about the story of this place. Among the California missions, this is one of the best-restored, so there is a lot to see. Plus some beautiful gardens. It is uphill from downtown, so if you don't have a car, it is a difficult walk, maybe consider a cab up and a walk down.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten August 27, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Lisa C
18 contributions
Feb 2020
Called ahead to inquire about booking tour for party of five. Should have been advised to arrive super early, as each tour only accommodates 10. When we went to buy tickets 10 minutes before start of tour we were told it was full. Disappointing.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
roberth1950
Northampton, MA21 contributions
Feb 2020
This is a beautiful mission on the Camino Real, exceptionally restored and well maintained by the Franciscan monks still living here. The gardens, the church, and the museum were all very interesting and impressive. We opted, however, for a docent led guide at a slight extra cost and the experience was not only disappointing but genuinely detracted from our enjoyment of the mission overall. The guide had a very flat delivery and talked at great length in a confusing manner. He had some interesting information, but also focused on a version of mission history regarding the native Chumash population that was extremely simplistic, distorted, and ultimately disrespectful. We eventually escaped the tour and viewed the grounds on out own which was much more satisfying.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Golli1129
Florence, CO16 contributions
Jun 2021
This is truly a tourist trap, an absolut minor attraction and very little to see. The mission looks nice from the outside, but once inside you realize very fast that this is a rip-off. All the inside gardens/grounds are unkept, no greens are planted. Shame on them to charge this steep price and not even be able to have nice gardens.
The worst is when you realize what the mission actually did to the Chumash people,
I can only agree with the contribution of Julia: "I was devastated to read the revisionist history provided by the mission of what they perpetrated upon the Chumash people and the white-washed history they promote in reference to their actions. At one point, the information boards even had the audacity to say they only 'bought' the mission with the intent of giving it back to the indigenous people. Of course They don't address the accusations that the Spanish forcibly invaded the Indigenous lands and forced the Chumash to convert to Christianity, becoming slave-like 'Mission Indians', and instead pretend they were doing the indigenous a service by converting them!"
The worst is when you realize what the mission actually did to the Chumash people,
I can only agree with the contribution of Julia: "I was devastated to read the revisionist history provided by the mission of what they perpetrated upon the Chumash people and the white-washed history they promote in reference to their actions. At one point, the information boards even had the audacity to say they only 'bought' the mission with the intent of giving it back to the indigenous people. Of course They don't address the accusations that the Spanish forcibly invaded the Indigenous lands and forced the Chumash to convert to Christianity, becoming slave-like 'Mission Indians', and instead pretend they were doing the indigenous a service by converting them!"
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fungramma51
CA183 contributions
Jun 2023
We were very disappointed in the mission. First, they were to open at 9:30 but didn’t open until after 10 am due to a “staff meeting” while many people had to wait outside. Very poor customer service. Next was the outrageous price of $25. This may have been due to a Sistine Chapel exhibit but you didn’t have a choice not to see that part and pay a more reasonable fee. (They were in separate sections and it would have been easy to split the admission). Due to the high cost we had to leave some people outside as it was too expensive for a family of six. While we’ve worked our entire lives $125 was too high a price to pay when welfare recipients were allowed to enter for only $3. We have been to the mission before and enjoyed it but with the change of exhibits, not much on the original mission, we will not plan on going again. We will enjoy the other missions in California instead.
Written July 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dmitry L
Moscow, Russia516 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
This place evokes the most positive emotions and memories of old times. In particular, this place is notable for its pedestrian gallery, which has become one of the symbols of both the city and the famous series of the 80s.
Must visit!
Must visit!
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K2Travels
Las Vegas, NV408 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
This is the third mission in California that I’ve visited and although it is very interesting historically and architecturally, I did not find it as interesting as the others. Like the others, they offer a self guided tour but the others are around $5 or $6 and the Santa Barbara Mission charges $15 per person which is a bit steep for a self guided tour. The tour consists of the Sacred Garden which seems to need some work, the actual church which is impressive , the cemetery which is interesting and the museum . I found the Old Mission Santa Ines in Solvang much prettier and well done. It’s a must see for the history and the architecture but as a couple, $30 could be better spent elsewhere. A side note, although the Franciscan Brothers still work and live there, it appears they hide when tourists are around as I didn’t see a single one.
Written February 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marfak
Half Moon Bay, CA1,418 contributions
Apr 2021
This is the queen of the missions. It is beautiful and peaceful. The interpretative signs in the cemetery are very well thought-out, and the small museum gives you a great feel for the mission culture and the Chumash Indians. This is a "must see" in Santa Barbara.
Written April 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrGaucho1987
Santa Barbara, CA946 contributions
Jun 2022
I love and study Santa Barbara history so I'll fight my bias to gush over this place. Santa Barbara's Presidio and Mission are foundational element of Spains influence over early California. The Mission, its gardens and accompanying cemetery are well preserved, but not as much perhaps as the stunning missions and grounds at Mission Santa Clara. The self-guided tour at $15 is a little expensive, but we were happy to donate to the mission's preservation. The walk took about an hour. The Mission Museum was fine but not particularly imaginative or updated. That said, you will be well served to visit the Mission and its nearby rose garden.
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jadranka P
London, UK748 contributions
Nov 2021
It is located in a prominent position and the building is well maintained. If you want to avoid paying tour you Can visit the gift shop and take photos for exterior. You can also attend church services but check the times. However we did preferred mission in San Capistrano.
Written May 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tommy599
Two Rivers, WI858 contributions
May 2022
This was one of the seven missions the Spanish Franciscans fathers established (to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism) up the coast on the Kings highway. Nothing special here as we had already heard the story of the mission earlier on this trip. Entrance fee was $15 for anyone not on our Globus tour.
A big part of the attraction is the bone yard (cemetery / crypt). Tom does not believe in cemeteries, as someone in a couple of hundred years will be digging you up to find out how many teeth you had and possibly what was your last meal (HAHA).
An interesting thing about the mission, is it could also act as a fort --- Anyone remember that mission down in Texas called “THE ALAMO”?
A big part of the attraction is the bone yard (cemetery / crypt). Tom does not believe in cemeteries, as someone in a couple of hundred years will be digging you up to find out how many teeth you had and possibly what was your last meal (HAHA).
An interesting thing about the mission, is it could also act as a fort --- Anyone remember that mission down in Texas called “THE ALAMO”?
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes. I was there on a Monday.
Written January 15, 2019
Do not think the infants need ticket.
I do not know the bus schedule in Santa Barbara, but I amsure the website for the mission can assist.
There is no cafe only premises.
There is a side, water machine by the restrooms.
Written July 6, 2018
I agree - call the SB tourist bureau.
Written July 10, 2018
I'm going to be vacationing with my family in Santa Barbara in August. Do I need to rent a car? I'm staying at the Hilton. Is everything close enough to walk to?
Written July 4, 2018
We rented a car but from SBA airport the beach area and hotels is pretty close. We drove up in the hills and did some other site seeing. There is a touring trolley to many of the attractions, but not sure of the price. google the SBA trolley
Written July 11, 2018
How dog friendly is the Mission and surrounding grounds?
Written August 17, 2017
The entire area is dog friendly for well behanved dogs.
Bring your own poop bags and doggie water.
Service Dogs can walk thru the tour portion of the mission.
We are very conscious dog parents, one of us opted out during the first portion of the tour while the guide was talking and then had the pooch join when we started to move thru the touring portion of the guided experience.
Written July 6, 2018
We will be on a cruise and like to walk up to the mission. Is it far and doable ?Thanks
Written April 10, 2017
When was the mission built?
Written December 17, 2016
It was first built in 1786 but rebuilt after earthqaukes around 1812. It was rebuilt again after an earthquake in 1920.
Written December 17, 2016
Is the mission accessible to wheelchairs and scooters? Thanks.
Written August 30, 2015
I have askes in the Mission web, and Laura Foss from the Mission Tours had answered very kindness to me:
The vast majority of our site is wheelchair accessible. You can access the Church by going to the end of the front portico where it is level with the ground (near front steps) then go down to the Office which is just past the Gift Shop. Then you will be shown how to enter the Church from the side door which has a wheelchair ramp leading up to it.
All of the Self-Guided Tour is accessible with exception to our Cemetery.
Our Women's Public Restroom does have a wheelchair accessible stall but our Men's does not. Men who use wheelchairs should go to the Porter's office to inquire about one of our Staff restrooms which does have a grab bar.
Written August 30, 2015
Are pets (two small service dogs) allowed?
Written August 4, 2015
WE have a certified ESA dog, with all his letters. He was permitted to take the tour. It is 45 minutes with lots of stops.
We bought water for him, since it was hot while we were there.
Written July 6, 2018
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