La Purísima Mission State Historic Park in Lompoc is one of the most fascinating and immersive destinations you can visit. It is the most fully restored of all 21 California missions. Established as the 11th mission in the chain, it is by far one of my top favorites, probably second to Santa Barbara, really! It's absolutely beautiful, as you will soon read. It was actually destroyed by an earthquake in 1812 and was rebuilt at its current location. Today, you can explore over 20 reconstructed buildings, including the church, workshops, living quarters, and blacksmith shop, that reflect the daily life of both the people who lived and worked here. The park is open almost every day from 9 AM to 5 PM, and it's perfect for both self-guided and docent-led tours. The Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM and provides helpful information and exhibits to get you started. I highly recommend a docent-led tour, the docents are so incredibly knowledgeable, and there's so much to learn about this historic site. On Demonstration Days, which take place several times a year, the mission hosts hands-on living history events, including blacksmithing, weaving, and candle-making. I look forward to visiting during Demonstration Days. I seriously can't wait to get back here. The grounds are large, rural, and so peaceful. There's a nearly three-mile trail loop. Parking is $6 per vehicle and $5 for seniors. I saw several dogs, but it does get very hot, and they are only allowed on the designated trails, not in the buildings, for obvious reasons. There are tons of animals, too. There were horses, steers, chickens, and more. Do not miss La Tienda, the mission's gift shop, where you can pick up local crafts, mission-themed books, and souvenirs. The local crafts are beautiful. I highly recommend this site for a half- or full-day visit! Make sure to set aside enough time for this beautiful gem. The drive alone is so beautiful and serene. read more

I came to this park to do some hiking and there are many trails. I would be careful because I am pretty sure I heard rattle snacks in the distance though the trail path is very large you probably won't find any unless you go off the path. I recommend checking out the visitor center before doing the trails because you can get good information as well as all the different trails in the given map. Parking - I paid $6 to park on their private lot. The money goes to help them maintain the state park but if you don't want to pay I saw many people parking right outside on the street across and walking down. read more

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I've visited most of the 21 Spanish missions in California, as well as missions in Arizona and Mexico. I've even written a book about the California Missions (The California Mission Guide). In my opinion, La Purísima is a must-see for any California history fan. It was the 11th Spanish mission in California, founded in 1787. The mission was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, and rebuild a few miles from its original site. The plan of the mission is unique. All of the other California missions were built in the form of a quadrangle; at La Purísima, the buildings are arranged in a line. Today, the mission is a California state park. The mission itself and the surrounding outbuildings have been reconstructed and restored. There is a visitor center, a trail system, guided tours, and historical re-enactments. Of all the 21 California missions, La Purísima is the best place to understand day-to-day life during the mission period. read more

Fantastic park to visit. Great for strolling, history, and launching off for longer hikes. We visited this park as our start to our day. It was a beautiful day, the buildings were open, and you can see the beautiful colonial chapel/living quarters. The visitor center has all the amenities that most modern learning venues have. The site is part of the larger Camino Real trail networks. On a pretty day, and if you're local to the area, this is a great location to check out. read more

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Best mission in the state! There are hiking trails, live animals, spaces with period decor, a visitor center, and great rangers & docents. Parking on site is only $6 and admission is free. A lot of people park on the street and walk in, but remember that the $6 helps maintain the park. Even if you are alone, $6 for one person is a bargain, so support the California State Park system by buying a souvenir and paying for parking. If you want make it on a mission day with reenactments, you will get a bonus, but every visit has been great. They decorate for Christmas inside the church. read more

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Probably one of the lesser known missions in California, this is probably one of the better ones to visit for a true historical feel. Instead of being located in the center of town this is in a remote area alone. The facility is spread out with a big open area where farming, cattle or even settlements may have existed. The structure is not modernized to accommodate people for weekly services but is presented in its original state. read more

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We loved visiting La Purisima. The visitor center is really interesting and has lots of interesting artifacts and displays. We enjoyed seeing the fountains, horses, cattle, and turkeys in addition to the church. It was nice that this is a replica of the original mission- since it's not an active parish it was very quiet and we could explore freely. A must visit for 4th graders and anyone who enjoys California history. read more

La Purísima Mission State Historic Park - Bell tower - Parks Near Me - Lompoc, California

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There are 21 Spanish missions in California, so you'd think a nearly native Californian like me would have visited most of them by now. However, this is only the third mission I've visited, and it took Jamie W. and me an hour to drive from where we were staying in San Luis Obispo (Madonna Inn). We passed by Vandenburg AFB - which was recently redubbed a Space Force Base - but there was no indication of a visitors center (and more importantly, a souvenir shop). Needless to say, we didn't stop. So was it worth the drive to Lompoc? Most definitely since it's the only complete mission complex in the state that remains intact - even though much of it had to be rebuilt and restored in the middle of the last century. That didn't compromise its authenticity. It made it feel like the mission was more recently inhabited as the building interiors were well maintained - especially the church that anchors the unusually linear design of the complex. We ended up tailgating a tour group led by one of the local docents dressed as a Franciscan friar. He provided animated accounts of life in the mission three centuries ago. There's an elaborate irrigation system to sustain their garden and the livestock that still exists here. And unlike Vandenburg SFB, there is a huge, modern visitors center that offers the full history of the area - though I have to admit the staff was not all that forthcoming with helpful information. Fortunately there was enough insight to be absorbed in the displays to give us the proper context for what we were to see in the mission. One down, twenty more to go. RELATED - Exploring California's Central Coast? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3zSyudU read more

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We love visiting California missions (we're hoping one day to see them all)! While staying in Los Alamos, we saw that La Purisima was somewhat near us so we decided to take an adventure. The drive to Lompoc was filled with windy roads and tailgaters galore so we were white-knuckling it at certain points. We finally made it and paid $6 for parking (reasonable). We didn't know that this mission is part of a park so there were several hikers around. We went to the visitor center first to look around at their educational displays. This is by far the largest mission we've ever been to - the grounds are massively spaced out! You're definitely going to get your steps in so wear comfortable shoes! And maybe don't wear any open shoes since there are animals around (scared the hell out of us when we almost stepped on a snake). There's also poison ivy around so be careful with what you touch. Probably the most authentic mission we've been to, La Purisima is an interesting experience for anyone in the area. There's not much shade so definitely plan on dressing more for a park/hike than a church. Can't wait to check off another mission! read more

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I have been trying to call their office to reach out if they were open called multiple times with no reply. Left voicemails no reply. We are 3 hrs away from the location and can't risk driving thereif they are closed. I'm giving them this score for their bad customer service. Whoever is running this mission should change management. Never had issues with other missions except this read more

When so many Yelp Elites gave a place 5 stars, trust them! This was what I thought when I read the reviews and now I follow their foot steps in giving this beautiful mission another 5-star review - because it deserves it! Situated near the sleepy and quiet town of Lompoc is this most beautiful and well-reconstructed old mission of La Purisima Concepción, named after a Roman Catholic event about Mary, and the 11th of the 21 missions in California. It's a huge place where you can spend half a day walking around and enjoy the scenery, the iconic church bells, old buildings, a few farm animals, and best of all, a visitor center with excellent curated content about the history of the Spanish colonial forces, the Chumash Indians, and the many Americans who traveled and lived on this land. The center has exhibits with pictures, paintings, models, texts, and a video to tell the stories of the mission and the struggles of the native Americans. Of all the missions (the famous Santa Barbara mission and the Carmel mission, to name a few) I've visited, none has a visitor center at this level. Incredibly beautiful grounds with green meadows, huge trees, and majestic mountains in the background. Truly a piece of "California Gold" and definitely worth a visit. read more

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Great area for day hikes! Plenty of trails for short and long hikes. When you are done hiking, take a stroll through the Mission Village. Bring a picnic lunch and hang out at one of the picnic tables for lunch. Great day trip! read more

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What a lovely place. Great paths to walk and longer ones to hike. Clean bathrooms. A few animals to see. I saw some people riding their horses on a path above the mission. The mission was restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps and they did an excellent job. We stayed in Buellton and the mission is about a 15 minute drive from there. If you don't want to pay for parking you can park on the street just across from it. Next time I will bring a day pack and hike the trails. read more

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My first visit was back in 2012 with my dog, aka my travel companion, and it's Thanksgiving Weekend. The reason I picked Lompoc was because this is probably the ONLY mission that allow dogs (except Visitor Center and Exhibitions). 7 years after, I made my way back here following bittersweet memories, without my dog. The rain came down in bucket, most grounds were unpaved and covered with mud. I was glad I had my waterproof boots and rain coat. There's only a handful of visitors so I can enjoy my solitude. Be sure you stop by Visitor Center first (opens 10am-4pm Tuesday to Sunday and Holiday Mondays). The exhibitions are educational and would give you an overall idea of this part of history after spending a good amount of time. There's a guided tour (for about 1.5 hours) ONLY one tour per day at 1pm Wednesday- Sunday and Holiday Mondays. Cute little Gift Shop (opens 12-4pm) It's straight ahead of the parking lot. They carry some hand crafted stuffs that you don't see elsewhere, like the pig with angel wings. The gift shop was operated by volunteers, on my 2nd visit, on a heavy raining day, the shop was closed earlier than posted hours. (I was going to buy the pig angel on my way out but they closed early:( I was planning to walk some trails on my 2nd visit but the weather did not permit. I will be back! This is probably one of the best place to go when in Lompoc and what's Lompoc known for:) read more

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Yelp 100 Challenge 2019 - # 78/100 Haven't planned on visiting this Mission/State Park but when we checked it was only 20 minutes away and we had a whole day ahead of us. Luckily we decided to swing by as they had a special event called Children's Mission Life Day. They had kid-friendly activities, docents dressed up and showed the visitors life in the mission especially children's. Because this is a State Park most of the buildings were well kept. Entrance free is also the parking fee $5 per vehicle because we had mom with us. Regular is $10, I think. Workers and docents are pretty knowledgeable and friendly. We were even given the chance to try milling corn how they did it in ancient times. There was a tortilla making station- we got to try some fresh-made tortillas and bread baking in the stone oven. We had such a blast. Definitely a must visit on days they have events which are posted on their website. read more

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Well worth a visit. The mission church diverts from the usual cruciform shape, to adjust to the land shape. The mission is remarkably preserved. I like that the museum points out the history culture conflict of the Chumash people and the Spanish friars. read more

This Mission is a wonderful site to see. With so much history and areas to see, plan on spending at least 2 hours here. Parking is $6 for the day which you pay at the self meter. I am so glad we decided to stop and visit this mission. This has to be one of my favorite California missions especially with the layout and the farm animals. There is also a hiking path that you can explore. Clean restrooms are also located next to the vistor center. The visitors center was open during the week when we visited on 11/12/20. I really enjoyed the well put together sections which took you through the history of the mission from the beginning to the restoration of the mission. It was fascinating to learn about everything and I really enjoyed the self guided tour. Definitely check out this Mission if you are in the area! Major kudos to the staff and volunteers who keep this mission open to the public, maintain the grounds and the animals. read more

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i went here earlier today and i loved it. at first, i felt like leaving because all the bushes were kinda covering the mission, so i thought the mission was probably destroyed or just at the wrong location, but after exploring a bit, i saw it. it was very big, and i even got to see some live animals. i spent at least more than an hour here and i would DEFINITELY come back. i couldn't go inside because it was closed for new year's day, but i walked around it and saw so much cool and agricultural stuff. i love looking and exploring missions, and this is definitely my favorite one out of all the other ones ive already been to. the garden is easy to get lost in, but very pretty at the same time. i took countless pictures at this place. i also like how there's signs to tell us what each building or equipment was used for. 10/10, definitely worth the 1 and a half hour drive from LA read more

La Purisima is the best Mission experience in California and the perfect place for a fourth grade project... This mission has everything you're looking for in a Mission experience. They have a new visitor center building, large grounds with various animals, the long mission includes several rooms filled with displays and artifacts, and there are also short hiking trails on the property.. Wow.... Tip - I highly recommend the Cross trail just behind the gift shop. This is an short uphill walk to the cross that has sweeping views of the mission and the surrounding landscape. The trail is quite sandy and does make it more difficult to hike but it's doable by most. - This isn't a 30 minute stop like some California missions, this can be a 2 hour visit. - About 20 minutes away from the tourist town of Solvang. - Don't forget to pick up your mission token in the gift shop. read more

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This was a recommended place to check out virtually through one of my Meetup Outdoor Fun for 20 and 30 group. Upon checking out La Purisima virtual tour ; the best of the experience was its rich history dating back to December 1787. It originally was a mission were ten of the original buildings were restored by California Parks department. These buildings included: church, curtel, weaving room, la sala, la herrera, and visitor center. The tour makes you feel like your right there back in that time frame after the California earthquakes experiencing the heart and soul of the mission. My personal preference of the tour was the visitor center as you walk around or should I say scroll an open area with scenic windows, that lets visitors learn through displays and travel back in time on California history. If your bored one day take a virtual visit. It looks like pre COVID 19, they offered docents dressed like the time period that provide guide tours for visitors. The park may be closed, but I'm sure when its open to visitors precautions for staff and visitors will e in place to continue its reputation as a great place to visit. read more

So heading out to our last home game in Oakland we decided to drive out and make a stop in a Mission or two, or so we thought. Well this is going to be #5 for us now. They do charge $6 for the parking but since it's a historical landmark you can use this parking pass anywhere else you go in California as long as it's on the same day. We made a stop by the visitors center first and got a tour map for a $1. They also have a lot of historical information there, so don't forget to stop by the visitors center. Once you are done there you can start your walk to the actual Mission. Be careful of your surroundings, they do have poison ivy around but they do have signs too so if you have little one's watch their little hands. If you are planning on seeing the whole Mission you will not be done in 45mins, shoot I don't even think an hour covers it unless you plan on running through the whole thing. This one is a big one. There was no way we were going to a different Mission after we were done with this one. Every room here had a purpose and they have it nicely stocked on how it looked back in the day. It's very well detailed. Once you finally finish All the rooms you can walk to the garden, there is a little pathway (where mind you we got lost for a bit, see what happens when you follow other people) that leads you to a very small spot of where the Chumash people were living at. We both loved seeing the history of this Mission, I would say give yourself enough time to go through everything don't rush it. We wouldn't mind returning to do those hiking trails one day. #11 of 21 read more

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We had such a great time at this mission. The tour was excellent. The girl giving it was very informative and engaging. The kids even paid attention throughout and learned about all of the different ways and items used in the past. It was nice to learn about how they lived. The preservation of buildings and items was breathtaking. Just a great spot to stop in at on our way to the beach. There is also a building with more information and visual items displayed throughout. Big clean restrooms and even a shaded picnic area with lots benches and tables. The gift shop was filled with great items too. From jewelry to books to ornaments, instruments and magnets. Highly recommend if you get a chance to stop in and see for yourself. They have live animals as well, horses, donkey, longhorns and sheep. Such a great experience. Thankful to our tour guide who had lots of information to share. Great for 4th graders who will be learning about missions in school. Dogs are also allowed on leash outside of the buildings. read more

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This by far is my favorite mission so far. This mission sits on 2,000 acres as a state park. There is 25 miles of hiking trails and over 20 buildings. They have a beautiful visitor center with so much things to look at. Everyone is so nice there. We did a guided tour at 1pm and our docent was Robin. We learned so much from her, very nice tour. If you take the guided tour you get to go in the doors that are locked. It was awesome! You can easily spend two hours looking around. read more

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This mission is owned by CA state parks and you can tell! It is the best preserved with the most nicely presented mission and museum. I loved it! Of all the CA missions, I have visited this one is my favorite! A must-see if you are in the area or passing through this area!! read more

out of all the 21 California missions I would say this one should definitely be on the short list for visiting. It is without a doubt the most authentically depicted of all the missions currently in existence. The original missions where basically working farms and were many acres in size. And this one tries to show that by putting large pens for livestock and open fields for what would have been farm land for crops. It's currently just a bunch of open trails for hiking and biking and exploring. The buildings are spread out in such a way that mimics how it would have been arranged. Nearly all other missions just have the chapel and a small courtyard and a few connected buildings. This is definitely worth the trip to a most dreary part of California. Let's be honest, Lompoc, there's just not much happening here. So if you are willing to make the drive this is definitely worth checking out. read more

This is a cool place to stop and visit. This restored Mission is very well set up. There is a couple hours worth of buildings to walk through and explore. Pay the couple bucks to park in the lot. It is safer than trying to walk in. Stop by the visitors center first and get the overview of the entire mission. From there head out and explore. Walk down the roads, not all the buildings are right next to each other. Some of the most interesting are away from the main cluster. Bring some water with you and explore! read more

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Nice relaxing National park where you can learn a lot about history. Bring some water/food because you'll be walking and there are no vendors allowed in the park. read more

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Great place. Only $6 to park and there is so much to see. This mission is not like the others. Here you can really see how things were and walk all over the property. Highly recommend it. We were here for about 2.5 hours. There was a 4th grade class touring the property and we were able to join and really get to learn some of its history. read more

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This was a great California State Park and large mission to explore. Parking was $6 and is good all day so you can explore other parks without having to pay for other places. There are a lot of trails on the park itself, so you can plan a hike there if you want. The mission's exhibits have been set up so you can see what the daily life may have been, there are even some livestock there. I recommend going to the visitor center first to understand the history and establishment first before touring through. You can get wheel trails and trikes for disabled and elderly there that have fat tires that are easier in the dirt! This is wonderful! We didn't need them, but I thought it was really cool! We used our Garmin watches and walked approximately 2 miles exploring the whole mission - excluding the other paths that probably took us to see additional interesting areas of the grounds. My favorite part was the two churches that had the painted walls and paintings. We went to the first shop and purchased a blanket like the ones that are woven there. They are $15 and go to the park. Much more affordable than other tourist locations!! Great color selections too. read more

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This is about as close as you will get to stepping back in history into California missionary life. First, know that there is a large parking lot next to the new Visitor's Center that was finished around 2006. Take the time to enjoy what displays and artifacts they have inside, and appreciate the bathrooms, because the mission itself is a small dusty hike away. And the proud docents are a talkative bunch if you let them. So much information, so little time! You cannot see the mission very well from the parking lot, but once you follow the paths past the large trees it comes into full view. It is awe inspiring. It and the raw, expansive grounds with water channels, fruit trees and herb garden, fountains, animal pens complete with a longhorn bull, sheep, and donkeys, black smith, and so on, are all intact. There is no "picture perfect", well groomed landscaping as compared to the other renovated missions in this area, like Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, San Luis Obispo. This is the real deal. It is dusty. I highly recommend wearing better shoes than I, as my insolent sandals kept picking up the dirt and stones as we wandered on the pathways. Weather was pleasant because it was overcast during our visit, however it can get downright hot, very little ocean influence, so a hat and water bottle is highly recommended. There are also benches and many ancient, shady trees to find respite. Plan to spend a good 2 hours to get a full appreciation of this mission. And keep an eye out on their website for special re-enactment days on weekends. The docents dress in full costume (both missionaries and Indians) and give talks as well as demonstrate day to day mission life in the 18th and 19th century. This is a place that should definitely be on your bucket list for its beauty, authenticity and tranquility. And the kids will really get a kick out of it. read more

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Visitors Center is closed due to Covid, but don't let that stop you from visiting this beautiful state park that includes the old mission buildings. Self-park for $6 ($3 handicap) and then take your time strolling about the gorgeous grounds. There are very few people during the week, which makes for such a peaceful, unhurried self-guided tour utilizing the free info brochure that you can find on the visitors center door (honestly you can do without the pamphlet, even). If you have the energy, climb up the hill to the large wooden cross that affords a stunning vista of the bucolic valley and be reminded of all the earthly splendor that we still are blessed with in these trying times. read more

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A fun stop to see the most restored mission in California. If you have friends and family visiting and wanting to learn more about CA or a local wanting to educate yourself of the significance of the mission movement this is a great place to start. Know before you go: 1) Parking is $6.00 or $5.00 for age 62 and older. The parking lot was large and even on a busy day I was able to park my SUV without issue. 2) The info center has a lot of history available if you aren't wanting to actually walk the mission and is accessible for those who may have mobility needs. 3) The rest of the mission is very walkable, but bring your water and sunscreen it gets hot. 4) There isn't an admission cost so with 1 person or 10 you will only pay for parking your car. 5) Keep an eye out for special events. We visited the children living history day and had the opportunity to speak with docents that were set up at different interactive spots (black smith, pottery, weaving, Chumash children's games.) 6) Stop in the gift shop. Usually I am not a huge fan of gift shops, but this one had several options to pick from. The kids in my group picked up a few arrow heads for 50 cents each, and a necklace for $3.00. They also sold mission patches and coins to remember your time. read more

This mission is massive! One of the biggest I have visited. I loved how they had the rooms set up like they would have been used. The fountains were beautiful and the animals make it seem so authentic. It was a joy to visit! read more

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This is my favorite California mission because it's no longer an active church. It makes it easier to delve into the history without knocking into the religion even though it doesn't feature much of the over-the-top devotional art featured at the other missions. The lack of religion may turn people off but keep in mind that: 1. this is the most extensively-restored mission; 2. there are animals on display; 3. there are rooms recreated with great period items to help the visitor understand what life was like; 4. there are candlelight tours, village days, and other great events; 5. San Juan Capistrano doesn't have a lock on the swallows because the birds visit here, too; 6. the place may be haunted; and, 7. you're in wine country. What's not to like? read more

Great place to go for a walk Make sure to lock up Your personals if you are going to go for a wall Trail and hiking paths Rangers available M-F until 5pm read more

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Wow! What an incredible tour we had here. First off, I want to give a big thanks to Parker, our docent. He was very knowledgeable and I loved how interactive he was the whole time. I learned so much in an hour and really enjoyed seeing the Mission and how the way of life was back then compared to now. I highly recommend taking the tour and taking the time to see as many rooms as possible. read more

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Historic place to visit, definitely bring the kids! Highly recommended. La Purisima mission is a place to come and learn about the past and reflect in the way of living in those days, is a big place, we spent 3 hours learning, reading, exploring and walking around. There is garden and a water fountain, farm animals too, also an area that shows the ruins from the old housing. The buildings are interesting to see and to cool off inside, the day we went it was a hot day outside, we got there early as it open, we walked by the picnic area, lots of shade from large trees, cool seating area. Trails to hike, if you are up for it, bring a hat, the sun was intense by the time we left. read more

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Spectacular. You don't have to be a history buff OR a religious person to thoroughly enjoy a visit here! I have been to six of the 21 missions in California, all completely gorgeous and well preserved, tho this one felt especially completely/perfectly FROZEN IN TIME. Truly special. This one had a garden with medicinal plants and herbs and olive trees; pens with sweet animals (donkey, horses, turkey etc) Dog friendly, our dogs toured with us which was super appreciated. Can't wait to explore the other 15 missions!!!!! Love the Franciscan's. read more

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There are a lot of missions in California. Some of them are privately owned and operated as churches. Some have been turned into a museum like La Purisima Mission State Historic Park. This large complex is located on the outskirts of Lompoc easily accessed off the main highway. La Purisima was extensively restored by the CCC and other agencies to resemble how it may have looked when originally built over 200 years ago. The history of missions in California is complex and often abusive, but the museum does honor their legacy with a fair account of the role they played in the development of the state. The architecture lives on in the mission style buildings found along the central coast. The park is easy to wander through with many rooms open to the public. They have recreated many of the areas to near original condition with decent explanations of the uses and history. There are still livestock on the facility which can make for a more authentic experience seeing and smelling animals consistent with its original purpose. Paid parking is available near the large visitor center, and there are several hiking trails on the property. This is one of the better missions I have visited in the state and is recommended for those looking for a rich history lesson on the central coast. read more

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Didn't get a good welcome from the person behind the desk when I entered. Had my small dog with me and she hurriedly told me the dog wasn't allowed...only service dogs. She didn't bother to ask me if the dog was a service dog. That was rude to me. read more