Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mission Santa Barbara
CHURCH
9am-4:30pm Apr-Oct, to 4:15pm Nov-Mar; )
California's 'Queen of the Missions' reigns above the city on a hilltop perch over a mile
northwest of downtown. Its imposing Doric facade, an architectural homage to an ancient
Roman chapel, is topped by an unusual twin bell tower. Inside the mission's 1820 stone
church, notice the striking Chumash artwork. Outside is an eerie cemetery - skull carvings
hang over the door leading outside - with 4000 Chumash graves and the elaborate mauso-
leums of early California settlers.
As you walk through 10 small rooms of museum exhibits, which include Chumash bas-
kets, a missionary's bedroom and time-capsule black-and-white photos, doors will lock be-
hind you, so make sure you're finished before moving on. Docent-guided tours are usually
given at 11am on Thursday and Friday and 10:30am on Saturday; no reservations are
taken.
The mission was established on December 4 (the feast day of St Barbara) in 1786, as the
10th California mission. Of California's original 21 Spanish-colonial missions, it's the
only one that escaped secularization under Mexican rule. Continuously occupied by Cath-
olic priests since its founding, the mission is still an active parish church.
From downtown, take MTD bus 22.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
HISTORIC SITE
8:30am-4:45pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4:15pm Sat & Sun)
Built in Spanish-Moorish Revival style in 1929, the courthouse features hand-painted ceil-
ings, wrought-iron chandeliers, and tiles from Tunisia and Spain. Step inside the hushed
mural room depicting Spanish-colonial history on the 2nd floor, then climb El Mirador, the
85ft clock tower, for arch-framed panoramas of the city, ocean and mountains. You're free
to explore on your own, but you'll get a lot more out of a free docent-guided tour, usually
at 2pm daily and 10:30am on weekdays (except Thursday).
Stearns Wharf
HISTORIC SITE
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