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Mission State Park

46 Reviews

#30 of 94 things to do in Santa Cruz

Missions, State Parks, Nature & Parks, Sights & Landmarks

144 School St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-3726

+1 831-425-5849

Website

Review Highlights

“Don't overlook the State Park when visiting the Mission”

The Mission Church replica is owned by the Church. It was built in 1931 - the original Mission... read more

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Donald L

Cotati

“Replica but still Interesting”

Holy Cross dominates Santa Cruz landscape. It is the first thing you see entering on HIghway 17... read more

Reviewed 15 January 2018

JeriLG

Santa Cruz, California

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Overview

The park houses a replica of the mission founded in 1791.

4.0

46 reviews

Excellent19%
Very good52%
Average23%
Poor6%
Terrible0%

Travellers talk about

“holy cross” (3 reviews)

“active church” (3 reviews)

“gift shop” (5 reviews)

LOCATION

144 School St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-3726

CONTACT

Website

+1 831-425-5849

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1 - 10 of 45 reviews

Donald L

Cotati

4612

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Don't overlook the State Park when visiting the Mission

The Mission Church replica is owned by the Church. It was built in 1931 - the original Mission church was destroyed in the 1800s by an earthquake. A block away is the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park. It contains the only remaining original Mission...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

JeriLG

Santa Cruz, California

573203

Reviewed 15 January 2018

Replica but still Interesting

Holy Cross dominates Santa Cruz landscape. It is the first thing you see entering on HIghway 17 and is visible from multiple angels through out town. The mission park is adjacent and quite interesting. You get a feel for what it was like at the...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Woodpecker48

Walnut Creek, California

23353

Reviewed 24 November 2017

Small but nice

This is a small mission in a nice area in Santa Cruz. Free parking was easy to find right next to the mission. Another great California mission that I have been visiting as a photography project. Unfortunately the mission and gift shop were closed when...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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Amy H

Palm Springs, California

439

Reviewed 1 September 2017 via mobile

Interesting history

The gift shop is a half-scale replica of the original mission. Around the corner to the right is the State Park with the historical displays of what mission life was like for early Californian people. It is a small exhibit, but was just right for...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

JohnInItaly

Santa Cruz, California

480133

Reviewed 22 July 2017

Original mission is NOT the big building on the square!

I love history, and the establishment of the original European settlements here in California are of great interest to me. At this actual State Park, the Ranger on duty explained a lot more to us, which we appreciated. There are photos in the office of...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Tcard2013

Turlock, California

474126

Reviewed 23 June 2017 via mobile

Replica

This mission is not original. It has been rebuilt. It is very small and there are only a few pieces displayed in the gift shop. It still is very neat to see all the Missions.

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Raymond S

Los Angeles, California

518

Reviewed 2 May 2017

see where it all began

Although the original mission chapel is no longer, the recontructed one is simply beautiful. the mission chapel has a simple mueseum (religious items) and a peaceful play to pray. I have seen many missions and while this one doesn't have all the original buildings as...More

Ask Raymond S about Mission State Park

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

vacayfamily2016

Sacramento, California

141

Reviewed 17 January 2017

If touring the California Missions, this is a quick one to check off.

Small mission, free admission, self guided tour that will take just a few minutes. A humble place of worship that is an important part of California history.

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Oceandweller7

Larkspur, Colorado

459274

Reviewed 18 November 2016

Small Mission Rebuilt From Earthquake

This is an important but smaller historical California Mission that you should visit. It is in a park with a large Catholic Church and a park with lots of places to hang out. Quaint architecture and still serves as an active church with services.

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Linda S

Metchosin, Canada

1033463

Reviewed 12 November 2016

Mission site only

We went to the site of the old Santa Cruz Mission over which is now built a Catholic Church - old itself as built in 1889 The site is pretty The only surviving mission building is a dormitory that has been restored and functions as...More