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Explore the Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library, a treasure trove of early California and Mission history. Immerse yourself in historic books, rare documents, and preserved artifacts as you to delve into the roots of California.
The mission is the namesake of the city of Santa Barbara as well as of Santa Barbara County and comes from the legend of Saint Barbara, a girl who was beheaded by her father for following the Christian faith.
- Ripoll, Father Antonio
- October 15, 1966
- 1820, 1925 (repair)
- 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, California 93105
Walk the halls of history at one of Santa Barbara’s most iconic sites, Old Mission Santa Barbara. With its grand bell towers, lush gardens and views of the San Ynez mountains and Pacific Ocean, the Mission is one of the city’s most picturesque landmarks.
- 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, 93105, CA
- (805) 682-4713
Mission Santa Bárbara, along with Mission San Luis Rey, is one of only two missions continuously operated by the Franciscans since its founding. Originally the mission was for the Indians while the soldiers and their families went to the presidio church in downtown Santa Barbara.
Summary: Santa Bárbara, founded on December 4, 1786, is the only mission continuously operated by the Franciscans since its founding. This major mission has a distinctive church with a Neoclassical façade, a beautiful Moorish fountain, well-tended gardens, and a large museum.
Mission Santa Barbara was the tenth of the California missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans. It was established on the Feast of St. Barbara, Dec 4, 1786. Padre Junipero Serra, who founded the first nine missions, had died 2 years earlier.
