La Purisima is a MUST mission but take your hiking shoes because this mission is like no other mission. It is designated as a California Historical Park and was restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's and 40's, part of Roosevelt's New Deal. Built in 1787, the eleventh mission, it originally sat on 330,000 acres, yes that's right, three-hundred and thirty thousand acres....say what? It is the most extensive mission with numerous buildings including the actual mission, all the living and work quarters, and even a classroom used to teach Native American girls domestic skills. Original furnishings are found in the majority of rooms ranging from the tanning and candle making rooms to the foreman's bedroom which is much nicer than the Father. Corrals are still active with longhorns, horses and pigs and the rugged ground is home to many four legged furry friends and not so four legged furry friends such as the horned toad the kids wanted to take home as their new pet. After you have toured the grounds, there are hiking trails from the mission into the surrounding areas. Mr. Rogers and myself were only armed with flip-flops and were not about to hike in them with three kids ....maybe next time!
La Purisima is only a hop, skip, and a jump from Solvang (15 minute drive West before Lompoc). It's location, just north of Santa Barbara, makes it a fantastic weekend get-a-way for those living in both Southern and Northern California. All California children study the California Mission System in 4th grade, usually visiting their local mission, but truly Mission La Purisima has to be the most exciting of all 21 missions (don't mind my somewhat unwarranted claim as I have only been to half the missions)!
Our Last Get-A-Way Before School
wow! I had no idea it was so huge!!!
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