Old Mission Santa Barbara
Old Mission Santa Barbara
4.5
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Visitors can tour this historic Franciscan mission that features twin bell towers and lovely gardens.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
2,731 reviews
Excellent
1,484
Very good
929
Average
274
Poor
39
Terrible
5
scottcaps
Chesapeake Beach, MD1,573 contributions
Sep 2022
We arrived around 10am on a Thursday. Small, but nice gift shop. Restrooms and cold drinks. Friendly staff. There was not a guided tour scheduled till 2:00, so we elected to take the self-guided tour. There are displays to read and you can also scan a QR code for both written and audio content (bring your headphones). If you like history, architecture, art, or religious studies, then this is a great spot for all of these. The tour follows a one-way path around the courtyard, including some side rooms with displays not just for the mission, but also about Santa Barbara, the Channel Islands and the native Chumash people. The tour goes into the chapel and the graveyard. The bells ring at noon each day, and we got to hear them while out in the graveyard. While we were exploring the chapel, a docent offered the folks that were in the chapel at the time some information on some of the artwork, which was interesting. Then, a Franciscan Friar came out and offered a tour to us. He took us behind the gate, up to the alter, then behind the alter into the sacristy, and then also into the room where the novices are taught. He offered history of the church itself and some of the artifacts as well as insights into life at the mission. He was so kind and we all felt so fortunate to have been able to listen to him and see some of the other areas. Outside, we explored the rose garden, the fountain, and the front of the chapel. There was a food truck selling coffee out front. Since we walked from our hotel, we did not park at the mission. Overall, we were there for 2.5 hours.
Written October 13, 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.
Johnnie_Tee
Manchester, UK291 contributions
Nov 2022
I'm not sure it's quite worth the fifteen dollars admittance but it is interesting to visit and learn about the mission's work and its position in the history of California. The gardens are particularly pleasant to wander around. You can get a bus from the centre of town but it's only 30 minutes walk.
Written January 1, 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.
felici5
Fort Lauderdale, FL25 contributions
Sep 2022
Santa Barbara is a wonderful day trip from Las Angeles. It has an amazing dog beach with a restaurant right along the water and dog bath stations in the parking lot ($10 for basin with shampoo, condition and blow dry). The funk zone in SB is a cool hipster area across from the wooden pier. And, of course, the drive on wooden pier is a unique experience and there are plenty of restaurants there as well. For beach goers or those wanting a boat tour, they are available as well. The Old Mission is cool from the outside; we did not go inside...there was a cost, and we had a puppy with us. I wouldn't spend days in Santa Barbara, but I think it's worth a day trip if visiting LA.
Written September 27, 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.
K2Travels
Las Vegas, NV400 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.
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.
MrGaucho1987
Santa Barbara, CA1,002 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.
Wikumj
Bromley, UK247 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Such a beautiful and peaceful place. We had never been to a Franciscan monastery before. It has a lovely atmosphere to walk through the grounds, lovely smells from the garden, and an amazing church that has a very unique style compared to most churches I’ve been to - colourful yet down to earth. The small museum provides history and context. This was a great stop on our road trip along the coast. Takes about an hour to walk round.
Written May 18, 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.
Tommy599
Two Rivers, WI827 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.
Lisa C
19 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.
Jadranka P
London, UK717 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.
seharrison
Frodsham, UK1 contribution
Is it open on Mondays
Charles M
New Smyrna Beach, FL51 contributions
Yes. I was there on a Monday.
DrAudreyReed
La Quinta, CA79 contributions
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.
teach2016
Hamilton, NY82 contributions
I agree - call the SB tourist bureau.
LisaMB313
7 contributions
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?
196janicem
Arlington, TX29 contributions
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
Sandi Lee W
Covina, CA8 contributions
How dog friendly is the Mission and surrounding grounds?
DrAudreyReed
La Quinta, CA79 contributions
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.
Ellibelli55
San Angelo, TX6 contributions
We will be on a cruise and like to walk up to the mission. Is it far and doable ?Thanks
Diane M
26 contributions
not far from the harbour, totally doable
Traveler3664
Los Angeles, CA21 contributions
When was the mission built?
ajbabyboomer
Plainview, NY22 contributions
It was first built in 1786 but rebuilt after earthqaukes around 1812. It was rebuilt again after an earthquake in 1920.
Dahlynn
San Jose, CA1 contribution
Is the mission accessible to wheelchairs and scooters? Thanks.
Serafin Hermana
Las Rozas, Spain47 contributions
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.
nmn
Santa Cruz, CA18 contributions
Are pets (two small service dogs) allowed?
DrAudreyReed
La Quinta, CA79 contributions
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.
Samantha S
Torrance, CA1 contribution
how much does this cost. and how long does it take for the whole thing?
whitemice46
USA142 contributions
There is a nominal fee to take the self-guided tour through the museum ($2-$7 depending on age). On Thurs, Fri and Sat, there is also a guided tour available, which takes about an hour (a slightly higher fee than self-guided). This mission is known as the Queen of Missions for a reason: The buildings are impeccable, the grounds are sculpted and the history is quite well presented. Everything has been restored almost to its former glory. The sanctuary is quite colorful. It is worthwhile to spend some time strolling around the grounds in a park-like setting, with views of the Santa Ynez mountains and the spectacular coast of Central California.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Frequently Asked Questions about Old Mission Santa Barbara
- We recommend booking Old Mission Santa Barbara tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 16 Old Mission Santa Barbara tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Old Mission Santa Barbara:
- (0.55 mi) El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
- (0.70 mi) Simpson House Inn
- (0.75 mi) Cheshire Cat Inn & Cottages
- (0.85 mi) Bath Street Inn
- (0.64 mi) Best Western Plus Santa Barbara
- Restaurants near Old Mission Santa Barbara:
- (1.06 mi) Bouchon
- (0.66 mi) Mission Street Ice Cream and Yogurt
- (1.07 mi) Arigato Sushi
- (0.99 mi) Opal Restaurant and Bar
- (1.21 mi) Jeannine's Bakery
- Attractions near Old Mission Santa Barbara:
- (0.04 mi) Andalucia Building
- (0.23 mi) Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- (0.17 mi) A.C. Postel Rose Garde
- (1.16 mi) Taste Santa Barbara Food Tours
- (1.09 mi) Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours
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