Give it an hour. Old Mission Santa Inés, founded in 1804 on Mission Drive in Solvang, runs self-guided tours from 9am to 4:30pm for $9 per adult, and kids 5 and under, veterans and active military get in free. Docent tours cost $12 and need booking two weeks ahead. It's still an active Catholic parish.
This week
- Nov6–8Buellton Fall Festival · Visit Buellton
Avenue of the Flags; Fri 4-10pm, Sat-Sun 12-10pm; carnival rides, live music on two stages; Ales on the Avenue beer and wine tasting Sat (tickets) · Free · by City of Buellton
- FriNov 6NatureTrack Film Festival · Visit NatureTrack Foundation
8th annual; reception 6pm, program 6:45pm at the SYV Grange Hall · $25 · by NatureTrack Foundation
- SatNov 7SYV Historical Museum Vaquero Benefit Dinner & Auction · Visit Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum
42nd annual · Tickets (early bird from Aug 1) · by Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum
- SatNov 7Alma Rosa Fall Harvest Dinner · Visit Alma Rosa Winery
Winery event; check access on the listing · Not published · by Alma Rosa Winery
Jump to: What to see · Docent tours · Tips · Good to know · Don't miss · Nearby · Quick answers
Mission Santa Inés quick facts
- Address
- 1760 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93463
- Self-guided tours
- 9am–4:30pm. Adults (13+) $9, seniors (64+) $7, youth 6–12 $5, 5 and under free
- Free
- Veterans and active military with ID
- Docent tours
- About 1 hour, Wed–Mon 10am–2pm, by reservation: adults $12, youth 6–17 $8
- Gift shop
- 9am–5pm, next to the museum
- Closed
- New Year's Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas (gift shop and museum)
- Phone
- Gift shop 805-688-6763; office 805-688-4815
What is there to see at Mission Santa Inés?
You can see the mission's collection of art and artifacts, which the mission dates back to the 17th century, plus the church and the museum. Old Mission Santa Inés was one of the last of California's 21 missions to be founded, and the Capuchin Franciscans still run it as a working parish.
How do you book a docent tour?
Call the gift shop at 805-688-6763. Tours run Wednesday to Monday between 10am and 2pm. Give two weeks' notice for groups up to 15 and a month for larger groups.
Tips before you go
- It's an active church, so check the parish calendar for Masses, weddings and funerals.
- The mission is on Mission Drive (Highway 246), so you can walk there from the village center.
- Pair it with lunch at peasants FEAST, which closes at 6pm.
Good to know
How much does it cost to visit Mission Santa Inés? Self-guided tours are $9 for adults 13 and up, $7 for seniors 64 and up, $5 for ages 6 to 12, and free for kids 5 and under, veterans and active military.
Is Mission Santa Inés still a church? Yes. It's an active Catholic parish run by the Capuchin Franciscans.
Do you need to book a tour at Mission Santa Inés? Not for a self-guided tour. Docent tours need a reservation two weeks ahead, or a month for groups over 15.
Don’t miss
- Veterans and active military get in free with ID. source
You might also like
- peasants FEAST · about 0.4 miles, walkable. Lunch two minutes away. Tip: No reservations; open Wed–Sun 11am–6pm. Official site · source
- Alisal Ranch · about 7 min drive (2.7 mi). The other Solvang landmark, a ranch since 1946. Tip: Non-guests can book the River Grill on Tock. Official site · source
- OstrichLand USA · about 6 min drive (2.7 mi). An easy add-on with kids. Tip: Open daily 9am–6pm. Official site · source
Drive times are without traffic.
Nearby: eat, taste, stay
- La Purísima Mission: The restored mission near Lompoc, about 35 min by road
- peasants FEAST: Bib Gourmand lunch on Atterdag Road
- Breakfast in Solvang: Aebleskiver and Danish pancakes
- Wine tasting in Solvang: A downtown crawl on foot
- Solvang hotels: Walkable village inns
Plan your day
- MorningBreakfast first: Breakfast in SolvangDanish pancakes to bear claws
- MiddayGo tasting: Wine tasting in SolvangNebbiolo to Rhône in an adobe
- EveningBook dinner: Solvang restaurantsBib Gourmand chicken to aebleskiver
- LateNight out: Solvang happy hoursSpritzes, Industry Night, 8pm deals
- OvernightFind a bed: Solvang hotelsNordic rooms to a 1946 ranch
Your next move
- GoHours and menus change; the official site has today's. Visit Old Mission Santa Inés
- Then readMore to eat, taste and do in Solvang. Our Solvang guide
- Every ThursdayWhat to eat, where to go and what to book this weekend. Get the weekend note
Quick answers
What are Mission Santa Inés hours?
Self-guided tours run 9am to 4:30pm and the gift shop is open 9am to 5pm. The museum and shop close on New Year's Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
When was Mission Santa Inés founded?
In 1804. It was one of the last of the 21 California missions.
Sources
Updated · tap to open
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