I had visited this mission as a kid and didnt really remember how small it was. Apparently they took down most of the buildings and theres only one very small building left. If you really want to see a mission Id recommend driving down to San Juan Bautista because this mission isnt much of anything. It is free and it is need to see if youre in the area but I would certainly wouldnt drive to go see it.

Small location, good for a 20 minute visit. Better when there are events.

Here for a class trip with some 4/5th graders, great time with the class, we had Fiona as our guide and she was very awesome, she taught in a way that kept the kids interested. Would definitely recommend this place.

Self tour and organized childrens activities. Nice size picnic area with a good view.

Nice place to walk around old adobe buildings with the kids. Stopped by on a day where they had some art projects and activities planned, so it was even more of a hit.

This is a great place for outdoor events. they offer many. And they have a great view overlooking the city of Santa Cruz.

The top draw is the view over Santa Cruz and Monterrey Bay. The gift shop is kind of cute, a half scale replica of the original mission, but I would not promote this as a tourist attraction.

Mole and mariachi fest us held here very fun

Check this place out! So much hidden history...

180 year old building. Really wonderful staff, willing to go into detail about some of things we found such as the barrels, grinding contraption and wagon wheel. Room 2 has a model of the original mission and what it looked like. There are only about 5 rooms left of the original building. Worth a visit.

Kind of kool if u like history

While camping/visiting the area, we decided to stop by the mission, and we were extremely disappointed. First off, the mission is so very, very small. The brochures make it seem bigger, as if there is a lot to explore, but it is very small. Too small. So small, that is you decided to take a day to visit the mission, make sure you have one or two other things planned to fill your day. The park across the street has a beautiful fountain, shady trees, but no playground, and may have a couple of homeless people hanging around. If that were the worst I had to say, Id have given this 2 or 3 stars.The guide or patron who was there the day we went was very unfriendly, and not helpful at all when we had questions. She could not answer a simple question in regards to some letters on the fountain in the courtyard. It was a self-guided tour, which left many visitors there wandering aimlessly, not sure of what to do or what anything was once used for. Again, she didnt answer any of our questions, and when she did feel like communicating with us, it was with pointed fingers or single word sentences.We were very sad, because we wanted to like it and enjoy it. We wanted our son to experience this different culture and history of California, but it was HORRID! Well never go back there again, nor would we recommend it to anyone. Even when we asked where we could leave a donation, she just pointed, and did not smile or look up. We left there very disheartened. Visiting the nice woman at the Visitors Info Center was much livelier and happier. So sad.

During the summer they have a pop up picnic on Thursday afternoon which is amazing. Fantastic view out over the downtown santa cruz area as well

Very small but interesting museum, part of our food and history walking tour

Its pretty

Awesome historic place for locals and visitors to Santa cruz. I might be a bit biased because I went to holy cross next door for many years, and there is a sense of nostalgia forsure, but I do think this is a hidden gem in Santa cruz!If you are downtown there is easy access to the mission by taking the long staircase over by the clock tower. It is free to get in and they also offer guided tours of the mission. It is not very large and you could easily walk through it in a half hour or less.Highly recommended

This is a small landmark that tells the history of California, It is being preserved by a dedicated group of people that wants to explore the history and make it available to the public to see and learn. I highly recommend go visiting the place and see the historic value in your own eyes.

Cool little museum of an old adobe building from early in the Santa Cruz mission. Also nice that its free!

This is a awesome and instering mission

One of the old California mission sites, reconstructed quarters and interesting historical exhibits,on a hill overlooking Santa Cruz

Best hands on mission field trip for 4th graders!

Once the Indigenous people were baptised they could never leave the California Missions without permission. If they tried to they were kidnapped and often shackled and whipped. This is historical fact at every mission. The Padre at the Santa Cruz mission was so brutal the natives killed him and is the sight of Californias first autopsy. These places are very dark places where the natives were forced into labor and to renounce their language, spiritual practices, and could no longer sleep together with their families as the missionaries feared they would sin if they did. These places are important to visit, and they are important to be respected and related to with this history in mind as its one that is only briefly touched upon there because it is such a dark history and its uncomfortable to talk about. With deep respect for the Indigenous people of this land and the suffering that their ancestors endured in the Mission system.

Interesting history. Great views of downtown. Tour guide was a little terse.

Well not that good but its for my project for school so I have to look it up when my mom :( told me to uhh... wish I didnt have to go to school!!!!!!! :( : ( 1% good lol

Lots of history and beautiful architecture but is somewhat small

The mission was pretty interesting and pretty cool

Beautiful Mission!!!

Love the history!

Its ok not too big

Cool ancient church

Mm

Its so beatiful