La Purísima Mission State Historic Park

Misión la Purísima Concepción de María Santísima (Mission of the Immaculate Conception of Most Holy Mary), located in the Santa Barbara County town of Lompoc, is the most restored of California’s 21 missions and is the only mission with hiking trails surrounding it. La Purísima Mission, founded in 1787, offers ten original furnished buildings. Explore the church, shops, living quarters, and blacksmith shop, occasionally fitted with volunteers dressed in period attire during living history days. The gardens and livestock provide additional flavor by showcasing life in the 1820s. After touring the mission, head out on to the Purisima Hills to ...

Misión la Purísima Concepción de María Santísima (Mission of the Immaculate Conception of Most Holy Mary), located in the Santa Barbara County town of Lompoc, is the most restored of California’s 21 missions and is the only mission with hiking trails surrounding it. La Purísima Mission, founded in 1787, offers ten original furnished buildings. Explore the church, shops, living quarters, and blacksmith shop, occasionally fitted with volunteers dressed in period attire during living history days. The gardens and livestock provide additional flavor by showcasing life in the 1820s. After touring the mission, head out on to the Purisima Hills to explore Los Berros Creek along the El Camino Real trail. Additional features of the park include horseback riding, self-guided tours, a visitor center, and bird watching.

About the Expert

Michele Bigley is the author of Northern California: An Explorer's Guide and Great Destinations Kauai from Countryman Press.