Upper East in Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Santa Barbara Mission

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 10, 2023

1. Santa Barbara Mission Marker

Inscription.
Santa Barbara Mission, founded December 4, 1786. Present church completed 1820. Destroyed by earthquake 1925. Restored 1927 & 1953.

Santa Barbara Mission has been designated a registered National Historic Landmark under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935. This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating and illustrating the history of the United States.
U.S. Department of the Interior - National Park Service, 1961.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1786.

Location. 34° 26.302′ N, 119° 42.788′ W. Marker is in Santa Barbara, California, in Santa Barbara County. It is in Upper East. It can be reached from the intersection of Los Olivos Street and Laguna Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara CA 93105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Central Coast,

specifically on the Coast Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Juana Maria (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Barbara Mission Aqueduct (within shouting distance of this marker); Don Jose Francisco De Ortega (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Moorish Fountain and Indian Community Laundry (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Barbara Mission Lavanderia (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Barbara Mission Early Water Supply (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mission Historical Park (about 600 feet away); Assembly Required (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Barbara.

Regarding Santa Barbara Mission.
Known as the “Queen of the Missions”.
Founding date - December 4, 1786.
Founding priest - Father Fermín Lasuén.
Built - 1820.
Architect - Father Antonio Ripoll.
Architectural style - Colonial, Spanish colonial.
Founding order - Tenth mission.
Headquarters of the Alta California Mission System, 1833 - 1846.
Designated California Historical Landmark No. 309 in 1939.
Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Also see . . . Santa Barbara Mission visitor information. (Submitted on November 13, 2023.)

National Historic Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 10, 2023

2. National Historic Landmark

Santa Barbara Mission and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 10, 2023

3. Santa Barbara Mission and Marker

National Historic Landmark Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 10, 2023

4. National Historic Landmark Plaque

Santa Barbara Mission image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 10, 2023

5. Santa Barbara Mission

Santa Barbara Mission in 1876 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Carleton Watkins

6. Santa Barbara Mission in 1876

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 508 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 13, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.