Mission Santa Cruz 1791 - Santa Cruz, California

Mission Santa Cruz, established in 1791, is a historic landmark and tourist attraction that holds a rich cultural and religious significance in California's history. Located at Address: 120 Emmett St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States, this mission is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning more about the state's past.

The mission was the twelfth of twenty-one missions established by the Spanish Franciscans in California and was dedicated to the Holy Cross. Today, Mission Santa Cruz is an active parish and welcomes visitors to explore its historic buildings, museum, and grounds.

One of the mission's most notable features is its Mission Church, which was rebuilt in 1822 after the original church was destroyed in an earthquake. The church's adobe walls, wooden beams, and colorful frescoes are a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of the early California settlers.

In addition to the Mission Church, the mission also offers a museum that showcases artifacts and exhibits related to the mission's history, including Native American crafts, religious objects, and tools used by the early settlers. The mission's grounds are also worth exploring, with beautiful gardens, a cemetery, and a replica of the original mission's Indian village.

Mission Santa Cruz is accessible to everyone, with wheelchair-accessible parking and entrance available on-site. The mission also offers various services, including masses, baptisms, weddings, and funerals.

According to Google My Business, Mission Santa Cruz has received 283 reviews with an average rating of 4.3/5. Visitors have praised the mission's historic significance, beautiful architecture, and friendly staff.

Overall, Mission Santa Cruz is a fascinating destination that offers a glimpse into California's rich history and culture. We highly recommend visiting the mission's website at holycrosssantacruz.com to learn more about the mission's hours of operation, events, and visitor information. Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique experience, Mission Santa Cruz is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Reviews of Mission Santa Cruz 1791

James Gilmore

5/5

Quiet place of respite, overlooking downtown Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, with interesting exhibits, a gift shop and a nice picnic area.

Mary Ryan

4/5

Kinda weird to rate a place that was built on the forced labor and torture of indigenous peoples. Regardless of how you feel about missions or religious colonialism, this place is historical, and I appreciate learning about history. The mission and chapel are replicas of the original mission, which was destroyed during earthquakes in the 19th century. It features a tiny museum with artifacts from Fr. Junipero Serra's time, a gift shop, and a nice garden and fountain behind the chapel. One of California's smaller missions. Worth a visit if you're into California history and in the area.

Katie Park Saephanh

3/5

Self guided tour, we had to look for the signs and follow them as there is no one around to help guide us. It was our first time in the area from out of town.

Christopher Le Jeune

1/5

This Google maps location is to the church not the “mission” in a general sense. We yried to visit on a Friday at 11.55AM but it was closed. Apparently it is run by volunteers from the Catholic Church and in 2024 the opening hours are erratic. However there is an interesting museum about the mission referred to as “state park” around the corner which was open according to the schedule.

Amy Byrd

5/5

Absolutely love visiting the CA Missions. This particular mission is smaller and newer than others. The original was destroyed in earthquakes in the 1800s. This one was built in the 1930’s

Connie Bautista

3/5

Just saw from afar. It doesn't look like a Misdion

Margarita Alonso

5/5

Cute small Mission, well maintained. Masses are celebrated here, there's a small gift shop, and a walk to the pass, entrance is free.

Ben Park

5/5

Quaint mission. Small but nice to take a peek at. It’s free.