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Old Mission Santa Barbara
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Roadside Landmark
Historical Landmark
History Museum
Special Collection
Old Mission Santa Barbara Description
Built in 1786, the Santa Barbara Mission was the 10th of the 21 missions established by the Spanish, and yes, it feels old, as my kids said when we got inside. There's a real sense of history in this mission, which has remained in continuous operation, despite multiple rebuildings.The current church was built in 1820 after an earthquake destroyed the previous one, and it's one of the fanciest in the chain of missions, hence the term "Queen of the Missions."
Kid Tips
School-Age Kids: The mission has special services available for California schoolchildren who are writing reports about the missions, which all public school students do in fourth or fifth grade.
Planning Notes
- Self-guided tours. Are available anytime the mission is open; guided docent led tours are available The Mission Museum now offers a docent guided tour Thursday and Friday at 11 a.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
- Take the guided art and architecture tour. It's available if you schedule it in advance and is approximately 75 minutes long.
Just the Facts
Hours: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily; closed Good Friday afternoon, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Fees: Less than $10.
Recommended Time: 1 - 2 hours
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