Old Mission Santa Barbara is a working Franciscan mission and museum in Santa Barbara, California, set on 15 acres in the hills above the city. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, public transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
Last updated: June 2026. An important note for visitors using older guides: ticket prices on the official website are currently $17.00 for adults and $12.00 for youth (5–17). Some third-party sources still list lower figures from previous years. The prices below reflect the current official rate.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 |
| Opening hours (Mon–Sat) | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last tour ticket sold at 4:00 PM) |
| Opening hours (Sunday) | 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM (last tour ticket sold at 4:00 PM) |
| Adult ticket (18–64) | $17.00 |
| Youth ticket (5–17) | $12.00 |
| Senior ticket (65+) | $15.00 |
| Children (4 and under) | Free |
| Parking | Free on-site car park off Los Olivos Street |
| Nearest public transport | MTD Bus Route 22; approximately 15-minute walk from State/Pueblo stop |
| Typical visit duration | 1–2 hours |
Old Mission Santa Barbara opening hours
The mission is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Sundays from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM. The last tour ticket is sold at 4:00 PM on all days.
Important exceptions: The church and cemetery are closed to tour visitors after 3:15 PM on Saturdays (for Mass), between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM on Sundays (for Mass), and during weddings (typically Saturdays 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM). Funerals can also close the church and cemetery with very little advance notice. The rest of the tour route remains accessible during these periods. The Serra Shop (gift shop) is open daily 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
5 great Santa Barbara experiences to book
- 🦭 Look out for harbour seals and sea lions on a wildlife kayaking tour around Santa Barbara Harbor.
- 🌮 On a taco tour, explore Santa Barbara’s food scene.
- 🚡 Fly over the Santa Ynez Valley on a huge zipline adventure.
- 🍷 Take a Santa Barbara wine country tour to some of the area’s best wineries.
- ⛵ Explore the Californian coastline on a yacht cruise.
Old Mission Santa Barbara ticket prices
Self-guided tour admission costs $17.00 for adults (18–64), $15.00 for seniors (65+) and active military (with ID), and $12.00 for youth aged 5–17. Children aged 4 and under enter free. Friends of the Mission members enter free. SNAP/EBT cardholders pay $3.00 per person for up to four people (show EBT card at arrival).
Docent-guided tours are available at no additional charge within general admission. They run Monday to Friday at 11:00 AM, Saturday at 10:30 AM, and Sunday at 12:30 PM, on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 20 people per tour.
Old Mission Santa Barbara is not currently included in any city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPass.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in June 2026.
How to get to Old Mission Santa Barbara
The mission is at 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, in the Upper East neighbourhood approximately 1.5 miles from downtown State Street. By car, take US-101, exit at Mission Street, and follow signs uphill. The on-site car park is accessed off Los Olivos Street.
By public transport: The mission is not directly served by a bus stop. MTD buses serve the State Street/Pueblo Street area, which is approximately a 15-minute walk away. Most visitors arrive by car or on a guided tour that includes transport. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are widely available in Santa Barbara and take around 5–10 minutes from the downtown area.
Parking at Old Mission Santa Barbara
Free parking is available in the mission’s spacious car park off Los Olivos Street during opening hours. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The lot is generally large enough to accommodate demand, though it can fill during peak summer periods and on event days. There is no charge and no time limit.
How long to spend at Old Mission Santa Barbara
Most visitors spend one to two hours. The self-guided audio tour covers the church, museum rooms, gardens, and cemetery at a pace of around 45–60 minutes. Allow extra time for the docent-guided tour (one hour) or if you plan to spend time in the gardens or gift shop.
The mission grounds cover 15 acres. The tour follows a one-way route through nine museum rooms, the church, the historic cemetery, and the gardens. The route is not reversible; follow the arrows and exit through the gift shop.
Accessibility at Old Mission Santa Barbara
Most of the tour route is accessible via paved paths, but the historic site has some uneven, narrow, or steep surfaces. The cemetery is not accessible to wheelchair users. Stair-free alternatives exist for most other tour areas.
The standard public restrooms at the front of the mission are not ADA-compliant. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms and family restrooms are available by asking at the Porter’s Office on arrival. Wheelchairs are not available for hire on site. An assistive hearing loop is fitted in the church. Service animals are permitted throughout; pets are not. For specific accessibility queries, contact the mission at [email protected] or call (805) 682-4713 ext. 100.
Inside Old Mission Santa Barbara: what to see
The Mission Church – The current church dates from a rebuild following the 1925 earthquake, which restored the original twin-tower facade. The interior features an ornate altar and two large paintings. The church remains an active Catholic parish; Mass takes place at weekends, during which tour access is restricted.
The museum (nine rooms) – The museum displays colonial-era Chumash artefacts, Spanish colonial art, religious objects, and documents relating to the history of the California missions. Exhibits include original vestments, tools, and household items from the mission era.
The historic cemetery – One of California’s oldest cemeteries, with graves dating from the early mission period. Among those buried here is Juana Maria, the real-life subject of the novel Island of the Blue Dolphins, who died at the mission in 1853. The cemetery is not accessible to wheelchair users.
The gardens – The grounds include several garden areas with plants significant to the Chumash people and to the mission era. The rose garden is noted for its variety and seasonal display.
The mausoleum – Adjacent to the cemetery, the mausoleum provides burial spaces connected to the active parish.
The audio tour – A self-guided audio tour is included with admission and available in English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Korean. QR codes throughout the route provide written and audio information in English and Spanish.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check the church schedule before visiting | The church closes to tour visitors for Mass on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, and for weddings and funerals. If seeing the church interior is important, visit on a weekday or arrive before 3:00 PM on a Saturday. |
| Follow the one-way route | The tour follows a fixed direction through the museum rooms, marked with arrows. Backtracking is not permitted. Pick up a map and audio guide at the ticket desk before entering. |
| Use restrooms before starting the tour | There are no restrooms on the tour route itself. Use the facilities near the entrance before purchasing your ticket. |
| Arrive for the docent tour on time | Docent tours run once per day and are first-come, first-served with a 20-person cap. Arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour start time to secure a place. |
| No food or drinks inside | Food and drinks are not permitted on the tour route or in the gift shop. Picnic areas and outdoor seating are available on the front grounds and in the parking area. |
Frequently asked questions about Old Mission Santa Barbara
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Old Mission Santa Barbara open on Sundays? | Yes, but with reduced hours. Self-guided tours run from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM on Sundays, with the last ticket sold at 4:00 PM. The church is closed to visitors during Sunday morning Mass (9:30 AM to 12:30 PM). |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Old Mission Santa Barbara? | No advance booking is required for self-guided tours; tickets are purchased at the admissions desk on arrival. Docent-guided tours are first-come, first-served and cannot be pre-booked. |
| Is Old Mission Santa Barbara accessible for wheelchair users? | Partly. Most of the tour route is accessible via paved paths. The cemetery is not accessible by wheelchair. ADA-compliant restrooms are available on request at the Porter’s Office. |
| Are bags allowed at Old Mission Santa Barbara? | Yes. There are no restrictions on bags. Food and drinks must not be brought onto the tour route or into the gift shop. |
| Is Old Mission Santa Barbara an active church? | Yes. It is an active Catholic parish with Franciscan friars in residence. Mass is held on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, during which the church and cemetery are closed to tour visitors. |
Things to do near Old Mission Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History – Around half a mile from the mission in Mission Canyon, this natural history museum covers the Pacific Coast and Channel Islands, with a planetarium and outdoor exhibits. Admission charged.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden – Around one mile north of the mission, with 78 acres of California native plants and over five miles of walking trails.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse – Around 1.5 miles downhill in the downtown area. A functioning courthouse with ornate Moorish Revival architecture; visitors can access the clock tower and observation deck for panoramic city views. Free to enter.
Alameda Park – A public park two blocks from the mission with tree-lined paths, a children’s play area, and open lawn. Free to enter.
Rocky Nook Park – A shaded county park along the Mission Creek, less than half a mile from the mission, with picnic tables and walking paths. Free to enter.
What to visit tomorrow: historic missions within two hours of Santa Barbara
Mission Santa Inés, Solvang – Founded in 1804, around 35 miles north of Santa Barbara via US-101. The museum holds a notable collection of vestments and church records, and the gardens retain much of their original character.
La Purisima Concepción State Historic Park, Lompoc – Around 55 miles north-west, this is one of California’s most completely restored missions, with 37 furnished rooms and extensive grounds managed as a state park.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, San Luis Obispo – Around 100 miles north, this 1772 mission is located in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo, with a museum and active parish. Free public access to the grounds; museum admission charged.
Mission San Buenaventura, Ventura – Around 30 miles south-east via US-101. Founded in 1782, this is the last of the California missions personally established by Father Junípero Serra. It is situated three blocks from the ocean in central Ventura.
Mission San Fernando Rey de España, Mission Hills (Los Angeles) – Around 90 miles south-east. Founded in 1797, with a large convento and gardens that have been significantly restored.
More California travel
Other California travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- The best places to see sea lions in California.
- Guides to Santa Barbara attractions: Santa Barbara Zoo, Arroyo Burro Beach County Park.
- What to know before visiting the California Academy of Sciences – one of the top science museums in California.
- Complete guide to day tours to Monterey and Carmel from San Francisco.
- The best way to visit the Autry Museum of the American West and the Travel Town Museum in Los Angeles.
