Find the Best Things to Do in Mission Canyon
By Geneva Ives
Santa Barbara Local Expert
About Mission Canyon
Photo courtesy of DieselDemon
The Mission Canyon area of Santa Barbara is one of the prettiest neighborhoods in the city. Home to the Santa Barbara Mission, this spot was chosen by missionaries for its prime location on a rise of land situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains. The views in this primarily residential region are spectacular.
See & Do
Mission Canyon is bursting with great activities for every interest. Visitors looking for a taste of history can schedule a tour of the Santa Barbara Mission, known as "the queen of the missions" and built in 1786. If botany is your thing, spend a few hours hiking the trails at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden while you learn about the region's indigenous plants. And the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a big hit with every age group, offering great exhibits about the many natural wonders that surround us every day, from gems to butterflies.
Eat
While there may be a technical lack of restaurants in this region, it's absolutely the best place in town for a DIY picnic. Bring a blanket a stake your claim on the soft, grassy lawn that's part of the Mission Rose Garden. There's plenty of open space for a game of frisbee or freeze tag. This is also a popular area for flying kites. You'll have a great view of the Mission and, from certain key spots, you can even see the ocean, too!
Party
This a very quiet area of Santa Barbara, primarily visited by people interested in its various historical attractions and lush parks. There are only really two evening activities to choose from in Mission Canyon. 1) Star gaze: the lawn at the Mission Rose Garden has few trees and little overhead lighting, so it's the perfect place to spot some constellations. 2) Star gaze: take in a movie at the Riviera Theater and spot famous celestial bodies onscreen. This one-screen movie theater tends toward artsy and independent films.
Stay
The Mission Canyon area is primarily residential. It's just a few blocks from busy State st., where you can find hotels, motels and inns galore. However, Mission Canyon was once home to the El Encanto Resort, a beautiful hillside escape renown for its riviera-like setting and stunning views. Word has it that a new owner is busy restoring it to it's former glory, and even making modern improvements, so keep your eye on this area for a luxury resort coming soon!
Shop
This region may not be known for shops in the traditional sense, but you can still walk away with some great souvenirs. The Museum Store at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is bursting with fun gifts and treats. From area maps to semi-precious stones to educational toys, it's ideal for the curious traveler. And if your visit to Mission Canyon happens to coincide with one of the local festivals, like I Madonnari or Old Spanish Days, you'll have the opportunity to suss out a souvenir from one of the many vendor booths on the Mission grounds.