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Santa Barbara
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Old Mission Santa Barbara
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Old Mission Santa Barbara

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See all things to do
Old Mission Santa Barbara
4.5
About
Visitors can tour this historic Franciscan mission that features twin bell towers and lovely gardens.
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The area
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Restaurants
423 within 5 kms
Garrett's Restaurant
120
0.8 km$ • American • Diner • Vegetarian Friendly
El Sitio
19
0.6 km$ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Latin
The Dining Room And Terrace
288
0.9 km$$$$ • American • International • Vegetarian Friendly
Mission Street Ice Cream and Yogurt
174
1.1 km$ • Dessert
Live Oak Cafe
94
1.1 km$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Fusion
7-Eleven
3
0.8 km
Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch
54
1 km$ • Quick Bites
Crocodile Restaurant & Bar
125
1 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Dining bars
Cajun Kitchen Cafe
75
1.1 km$$ - $$$ • American • Cajun & Creole • Cafe
Los Agaves
178
1.2 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Latin
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Attractions
171 within 10 kms
Andalucia Building
1
63 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
312
0.4 kmNatural History Museums
A.C. Postel Rose Garde
3
0.3 kmGardens
Chaucer's Bookstore
190
2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
3,002
1.9 kmHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Bicentennial Friendship Fountain
1
0.6 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens
85
1.1 kmParks • Gardens
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
383
1.9 kmArt Museums
First Congregational Church
1
0.7 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
690
2.3 kmNature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
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See what travellers are saying
  • Tommy599
    Two Rivers, Wisconsin873 contributions
    Another Bone Yard!
    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”?
    Visited May 2022
    Written December 29, 2022
  • Johnnie_Tee
    Manchester, United Kingdom296 contributions
    Worth a visit, interesting history
    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.
    Visited November 2022
    Written January 1, 2023
  • Mona Lisha
    120 contributions
    A glimpse into the past
    Santa Barbara is a perfect day trip from LA. We arrived around 11:00am on a Sunday. As the church is still functioning, it was closed to the public until 12:30 for Mass. There were beautiful gardens to explore (olive tree garden and rose gardens). The roses were in full bloom and were beautiful. The museum is small and is a quick read. We took a guided tour around the property, which is well-worth it and no additional cost to the cost of the regular admission ticket. There is a small gift shop. There was a coffee truck outside, which was great for an afternoon pick-me-up.
    Visited May 2023
    Written May 18, 2023
  • Wikumj
    Bromley, United Kingdom317 contributions
    Beautiful and peaceful environment
    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.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written May 18, 2023
  • colombiajan
    Saint Albans, West Virginia190 contributions
    Beautiful and Serene
    Lovely experience. this mission is beautiful and we loved looking over the grounds and inside the beauty of the church. I felt very peaceful there. The gardens were beautiful and the whole area as a very spiritual feeling. We only got to visit 3 missions but we loved all three.
    Visited May 2023
    Written June 16, 2023
  • Karen N
    Evanston, Illinois15 contributions
    Not worth a trip
    In all fairness, the mission might have been more captivating if I hadn't already visited San Jaun Capistrano, but it just doesn't hold a candle to its neighbor to the south. Gardens were sparse and bare. Architecture wasn't particularly impressive. Fine if you are in Santa Barbara, but otherwise it's not worth a trip.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written July 15, 2023
  • D-Leader
    Waynesboro, Virginia202 contributions
    Beautiful California Mission
    This 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 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written November 13, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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
2,742 reviews
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276
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6
D-Leader
Waynesboro, VA202 contributions
Beautiful California Mission
Nov. 2023 • Couples
This 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.
Written November 13, 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.
fungramma51
CA178 contributions
Outrageously expensive
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.
Karen N
Evanston, IL15 contributions
Not worth a trip
Jul. 2023 • Couples
In all fairness, the mission might have been more captivating if I hadn't already visited San Jaun Capistrano, but it just doesn't hold a candle to its neighbor to the south. Gardens were sparse and bare. Architecture wasn't particularly impressive. Fine if you are in Santa Barbara, but otherwise it's not worth a trip.
Written July 15, 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.
svale_sp
Sunnyvale, CA7 contributions
Much too expensive for a family visit.
Jul. 2023 • Family
The outside area is very attractive and worth visiting, but a $25 adult admission is ridiculous, even including a so-called Sistine chapel exhibition.
Written July 13, 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.
meche15655
Baton Rouge, LA55 contributions
Historical Mission
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Interesting historical mission tour that outlines the different influences from the indigenous people to the Franciscan Priests from Spain. Also, currently has a Sistine Chapel exhibit worth viewing.
Written July 12, 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.
Susanna C
Portland, OR2 contributions
A piece of Santa Barbara History
May 2023 • Family
Gorgeous piece of Santa Barbara history. My son and I enjoyed exploring the antiquity and flora while learning the history dated back to the late 1700’s.
Written June 27, 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.
colombiajan
Saint Albans, WV190 contributions
Beautiful and Serene
May 2023
Lovely experience. this mission is beautiful and we loved looking over the grounds and inside the beauty of the church. I felt very peaceful there. The gardens were beautiful and the whole area as a very spiritual feeling. We only got to visit 3 missions but we loved all three.
Written June 16, 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.
WillieMacfan
Healdsburg, CA788 contributions
Must See in Santa Barbara
May 2023 • Couples
The Old Mission is an historic and beautiful site.

Still an active church ad site of many weddings. The church itself is beautiful. The entire mission is interesting and you can self-tour the courtyard, church, cemetery and museum.

Nice gardens and picturesque fountain and grounds.
Written June 4, 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.
motormouthme
Saugerties, NY78 contributions
Not worth $25
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Not worth $25. Grounds are ok but just not impressed. Walking around Santa Barbara for free is just as impressive. You can't go up int he tower.
Written June 2, 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.
Wikumj
Bromley, UK317 contributions
Beautiful and peaceful environment
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.
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