Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786 — Attraction in Santa Barbara

Well I missed coming here early enough in the day to make it worthwhile to pay for the self guided tour. But I was able to walk about the exterior of the mission. We walked the side garden next to the enclosed parking lot, the rose garden across the front lawn, and the front plaza all for free.

The small garden can be gotten to through the picnic table area. The garden is a pollinator garden filled with native plants and flowers. Plus it's certified and registered by the Monarch Watch as an official Monarch Waystation. Possibly when you visit, you may spot Monarch butterflies. Next to this garden through another gate is a circular walking path with columns depicting the events of Holy Week. Each column has a tiled mosaic illustrating a Holy Week event.

Since the mission sits higher above the town, the view includes the Pacific Ocean. Now with all the houses built, the view is still there just a smaller sliver of the ocean can be seen. The mission was founded by Frances a Padre Lasuen ( Father Serra's successor) in December 1786 on feast day of Saint Barbara.

In the plaza sits the Moorish fountain and laundry basin. The fountain was built in 1808 to serve as a laundry for the mission. The fountain is intact and currently works. It now has water lilies growing in it. The larger lavenderia (laundry basin) was built in 1818 and served as a community laundry. The Chumash lead the building of the 70 foot lonbasin. The clothes were scrubbed against the sloping side rocks and rinsed in the center basin. Note the south spout (farthest from the fountain) is a carved mountain lion head. That was carved by a Chumash artisan. One of the oldest known sculptures surviving to date in California. The bear's head on the north end is a replica. The fountain and basin are fenced off and folks are not allowed to get right up to it....

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the historic Old Mission of Santa Barbara, and I can honestly say it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I stepped onto the grounds, I was captivated by the sheer beauty and historical significance of this incredible site.

One of the most striking features of the mission is its impressive architecture, with walls over five feet thick that have withstood the test of time. These sturdy walls create a cool, refreshing atmosphere inside, providing a welcome respite from the heat outside. It’s amazing to think about the craftsmanship and effort that went into constructing such a remarkable structure.

The mission is steeped in history, and there is so much to learn and explore. I was thoroughly impressed by the interactive experience provided by the Wi-Fi service, which allows visitors to access detailed information about each station directly on their phones. This feature enhanced my understanding and appreciation of the mission's rich past.

Moreover, the staff and volunteers at the mission were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. Their passion for preserving and sharing the history of the mission was evident in every interaction. They truly made the visit even more enjoyable.

The Old Mission of Santa Barbara is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, architecture, or simply looking for a unique and enriching experience. I loved every moment of my visit and highly recommend it to anyone...

What a well preserved and impressive space. They’ve done a great job with that. Unfortunately, they’ve made the decision not to tell the entire story of the mission here, and by doing so, have purposefully told a story that misrepresents the relationship between the indigenous people and the Spanish missionaries. Namely, that the indigenous people (the Chumash) were imprisoned by the Franciscan missionaries, and were made into slave labourers. Many enslaved Chumash natives died in their longhouse prisons, victims to the unsanitary and cramped conditions, as well as the sicknesses that accompanies concentration camp conditions. Monica Orozco, who is the Mission’s Executive Director, should work to provide visitors an accurate and honest view into the harsh downside of colonialism rather than simply promoting all the positive innovation the Missions brought to California. I asked a staff member about this lack of transparency and she said “We’ve been instructed not to talk about that part of the history, but yeah, of course the Indians were forced to stay at the Mission against their will. Colonialism was ugly.” I agree, history can be ugly, but by not understanding and learning from the mistakes of our ancestors, we destine ourselves to repeat their failings. Tell the whole story, it’s more honest and visitors will appreciate you not sugar-coating the darker side...