Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park — Attraction in Santa Cruz

While camping/visiting the area, we decided to stop by the mission, and we were extremely disappointed. First off, the mission is so very, very small. The brochures make it seem bigger, as if there is a lot to explore, but it is very small. Too small. So small, that is you decided to take a day to visit the mission, make sure you have one or two other things planned to fill your day. The park across the street has a beautiful fountain, shady trees, but no playground, and may have a couple of homeless people hanging around. If that were the worst I had to say, I'd have given this 2 or 3 stars.

The guide or patron who was there the day we went was very unfriendly, and not helpful at all when we had questions. She could not answer a simple question in regards to some letters on the fountain in the courtyard. It was a "self-guided" tour, which left many visitors there wandering aimlessly, not sure of what to do or what anything was once used for. Again, she didn't answer any of our questions, and when she did feel like communicating with us, it was with pointed fingers or single word sentences.

We were very sad, because we wanted to like it and enjoy it. We wanted our son to experience this different culture and history of California, but it was HORRID! We'll never go back there again, nor would we recommend it to anyone. Even when we asked where we could leave a donation, she just pointed, and did not smile or look up. We left there very disheartened. Visiting the nice woman at the Visitor's Info Center was much livelier and...

Once the Indigenous people were baptised, they could never leave the California Missions without permission. If they tried to, they were kidnapped and often shackled and whipped. This is historical fact at every mission. The Padre at the Santa Cruz mission was so brutal the natives killed him as he ruled with and iron tipped whip and is the sight of 'California's first autopsy'. These places are very dark places where the natives were forced into labor and to renounce their language, spiritual practices, and could no longer sleep together with their families as the missionaries feared they would 'sin' if they did. These places are important to visit, and they are important to be respected and related to with this history in mind. It's a history that's hidden because it is such a dark history and it's uncomfortable to talk about, but we must. With deep respect for the Indigenous people of this land and the suffering that their ancestors endured in the Mission system and from it's...

I had a wonderful time visiting this museum with my three-year-old. The exhibits provided a deep and insightful look into history, particularly highlighting the lives and contributions of Native peoples. I learned so much that made me appreciate their heritage even more, and it was a great opportunity to educate my child in an engaging way.

The artwork was stunning, and the architecture of the building itself was impressive. It’s a well-designed space that makes history come alive. I highly recommend this museum to anyone, especially families with young children, who want to explore history in an interactive and...