I was just driving around and ended up having a thorough look at all the bldgs. As long as Ive lived in Santa Cruz I didnt realize the old mission was off to the side. I always enjoy visiting the California missions and the history.

By far one of if not the most smallest mission in California. A garden, a church, and a small museum. At least thats what we believe because it was closed the day we came. Please consult the site. Limited availability.

Went in after mass at the church across the street from mission. Great gift shop with vestments and other holy items from along time ago. The actual sanctuary in the mission had the holy Eucharist in the Tabernacle so it was extra special for me

A good museum exhibit right near downtown Santa Cruz showing what the first European settlement in town would have looked like. The building itself is not original since the actual mission was destroyed a long time ago, but the current building is a smaller scale recreation. The chapel and gardens are ncir, but most of the building is taken up by a gift shop. There is a docent staffing the gift shoe that will give a spiel about the history of the building, but there isnt any other information around the building or any more insight into what life in the mission was like. It only takes 20 minutes max to get through everything, so dont plan too long. The surrounding area is nice to walk through though

This mission is out of the way and quite. The mission is just another mission but the grounds are beautiful with huge trees. Its worth a 30 minute visit if you are close by.

Pleasure to visit these places. Make sure to stop by the museum to learn more about the history of this Mission

Unique small mission

Aladdin nursery is one of the best nurseries Ive ever seen.The plants all look healthy. The staff was very friendly and helpful.They have a wonderful gift store. It is full of beautiful items for your personal self and your house. A good place to shop for gifts.The nursery is laid out very well. It is easy to get around even for people that are handicapped. I give it an a plus.

Lovely historical church or Mission. It is interesting to understand more about the history of California, the Spanish kingdom and the United States

Small, store doesnt open on Mondays!

I want to thank everyone for making dreams come true. Amazing building with so much rich history. We need more locations to be kept for generations to come.

A worth while mission to view. Stopped there as my daughter was studying about missions in California.

Monday from 9 in the morning to 8 at night there is Eucharistic Adoration. A lovely place to encounter Jesus, especially in the summer when school is not in session. Very quiet and peaceful. Old school, quaint, historic.

Of (all) 21 missions visited, this was by far the saddest; basically, a gift shop for the parish church (built over the vanished actual mission) in a 1/3 scale model of a mission nearby. Virtually no interpretive material. Apparently a historical site in the vicinity has related exhibits but is only open on weekends.

Small mission and not much of it is original. There is not a lot to see. It is located in a nice area but was not worth the visit.

Such an amazing experience. Thankful that the schools require kids to do a mission project as it provides an opportunity for families to visit and learn some historical facts. We had a blast touring Mission Santa Clara.

Great visit. Right in middle of town

Nice historical place, they trick you as the mission no longer serves for Sunday services.

Small but nice. Friendly staff.

Great little Mission. The woman running it is super nice and informative.

Very peaceful area in general... sadly the main church is only open for services, however it feels like its own little peaceful universe- both the mission and the small park and the quiet above city feel

Small and quaint. A solemn place to pray.

Very peaceful and so much history. Nice place to visit with family.

This is one of the lovely Missions along the California coastline, it was beautiful, Went to visit my niece at UC Santa Cruz, great school

This is holy ground sanctified by the prayers of the pilgrims who have been here throughout the years..... Im very grateful to experience.

The guy at the counter called me a b***** and he said I was fat. I love the courtesy. ( sarcasm)

Warm welcome from everyone...glad we came here for Good Friday prayers

I love it whenever you first walk in.I am doing a project at school on it.

Small mission, but very peaceful. Nice site. Donation is 5.00 to get in. Nice gift shop and park. Parking is on local streets. 1/3 size replica built in 1930s.

Interesting, worth a trip if you enjoy California history. The Adobe is nearby, and also a good place to check out.

Wanna learn how to build your Adobe? Come here.

Pretty little replica of the mission, nice gift shop & I enjoyed the morning mass in the chapel!

Cool, very old historical Church

The volunteer at the counter was unfriendly. All other missions have been nice to go to and see. But this one was the opposite of a church.

Love this little coffee shop.very friendely

Not as welcoming and good as the other missions

Great mission to visit! Once again very different then the others with its own charm. Def worth a quick visit.

Small replica of the original mission which had been destroyed in an earthquake almost 100 years ago. Artifacts from the original mission are on display.

Quiet place, serene. The mission replica building is great to look through and the simple garden with coi fish. Going further to the long building, as part of the Mission SC State Park, some of the rooms had really interesting stories and facts.

Very small yet very informative.

So pretty and peaceful up here, and the gift shop is great

Pretty architecture

Very beautiful.

Its a church, chairs arent the most comfortable but its quiet and holy.

Knowledgeable staff. Sad its only a replica

Small and not very informational. We were not super impressed.

Well worth the time visit, you should also visit the Mission church.

Mission museum, chapel and garden closed on Monday (hours Tues-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-2pm). Disappointed that we came on Monday when we had checked the website, which didnt indicate any hours for the Mission. Noticed another couple disappointed in visiting to see the place was closed.

Awesome place

We had the privilege of visiting Mission Santa Cruz on our last trip to the area. It was very interesting. The ranger on staff was very informative.

God is good

Not welcoming.

Run by a very nice man with lots of knowledge.

Good place to sit and rest for a while. You can also learn more about the history of the mission here.

We came here for my sons Mission project but we stayed for mass. It was a very nice mass!

This mission is the one of the best missions that i have done in about 2 years and i am in 4 grade i love the colors i really recomend to go visit the mission you will love the mission

In 4th grade i did a project about missions my mission was Santa Cruz my group and i are doing it together my group is goofing off and me and my face partner are doing everything we are researching but the kid that i sit next to and there face partner arent doing anything just goofing off

Small, quaint. This one is a quick trip but frankly there is not much to see.

Went here on a weekday, supposed to be open 10-4. The gift shop, which might have had some information was closed, the chapel which is NOT original didt have info either. We just happened to walk down the side street because there were no signs, and found the original adobe buildings that were set up as a museum. No rangers (its run by the State Parks) were apparent, no information available, just museum labels & signs. This was just the most pitiful mission weve seen, went with kids that were studying missions. Fortunately we brought a book with us. I say skip this mission & go to Carmel.

I remember doing this in fourth grade as well and this place is amazing.

Great area, ok view

IT IS MY MISSION AND I LOVE IT.

YAY ITS GREAT YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

This is the good place for pray God bless you .

This mission is great and its a awsome idea for a report

SAVED! YOU CAN FEEL THE HISTORY.

Needs to give out information!!

Mission Santa Cruz is amazing! In 4th grade I did an informational artical onn it!

It is a wonderful place to go

This is a very good mission

So much history

I never went but it sounds kinda fun.Also I did a report on the santa cruz mission when I was in 4th grade.

The original Mission Sana Cruz took a beating in the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake and continued to decline into ruin over the years. The current structure is a 1/3-size replica of the original church. Quite disappointing.

Good place to sleap and reast

Beautiful and amazing.

Also 4th grade so useful

DO YOU KNOW DA WAE

Liked it.

Did you know to every mission is a one days walk?

Small, but okay

Cool

Cool and awsome it was my project

Loo k at this

Very nice place

Beautiful church

Helped me with my assignment

Nice nice

Beautiful!

Just another Mission

I like doritos.

I love mission Santa Cruz

I liked the garden it was amazing!! :) :o

Awesomely awesome

Very nice place

Sucks

That is hela tight

It is my project to.

My project cool

Its my science project

This was my mission in fourth grade!