THE MISSION STORY
The 11th of the 21 Franciscan Missions established
in California, Misión la Purisima Concepción de Maria
Santísima (Mission of the Immaculate Conception of
Most Holy Mary) was founded by Father Presidente
Fermín de Lasuén on December 8, 1787.
During the Mission’s early years, over 1,500 Chumash
Indians were baptized into the Catholic Church at La
Purisima, making them new citizens of Spain. Large
and small adobe buildings were built, a water system
developed, crops and livestock were raised, and La
Purisima grew and prospered.
On December 21, 1812, however, a major earthquake
destroyed many of the Mission buildings. Aftershocks
and drenching rains damaged La Purisima beyond
repair. The following year, the Mission community
was relocated four miles to a site with a better water
supply and climate, and safer access to El Camino Real,
California’s main travel route.
In a few years, La Purisima once again became a thriving
community with approximately 800 Chumash Indian
Neophytes (converts) living on Mission land. At times
over 20,000 cattle and sheep roamed the hills along with
hundreds of horses, mules, burros and other livestock. The
padres developed shops for weaving, pottery, leatherwork
and other crafts in addition to organizing the religious
activities for the settlement.
1834 marked the end of the California mission era when
the Mexican government took away control of the missions
from the Catholic Church and gave it to civil authorities. La
Purisima subsequently changed hands and uses a number of
times by the end of the 19th century.
EXPLORE CALIFORNIA
HISTORY & HERITAGE
Open Year Round
La Purisima Mission is open daily* from 9 AM to 5 PM for
self-guided tours, hiking and exploring. The Visitor Center
is a great place to start your journey (open 10 AM to 4 PM,
Tuesdays - Sundays and holiday Mondays). The Gift Shop
(open 12 to 4 PM) offers souvenirs and hand-crafted items.
STEP BACK
IN TIME
Admission is $6 per vehicle/$5 per senior vehicle.
*Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Guided Tours
When the property was given to public ownership by Union
Oil Company in 1933, the Mission was in ruins. Preservation
and reconstruction of the complex began in 1934, and
lasted seven years under the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Buildings and grounds were painstakingly restored and
furnished to appear as they had in 1820.
Guided tours of the buildings and grounds are offered
Wednesdays - Sundays and on holiday Mondays. Meet
at 1 PM at the Visitor Center for the 1.5 hour, 1 mile
walking tour. Groups of 10 or more are asked to book
two weeks in advance by calling (805) 733-3713.
Today, La Purisima stands as the most extensively restored
Mission in all of California with ten reconstructed buildings,
furnished rooms, mission gardens, and livestock to represent
life at the Mission during the 1820s. The nearly 2,000 acre
historic state park is also home to 25 miles of hiking trails
and a modern Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall.
La Purisima is the
only California
mission with hiking
trails, featuring
more than 25 miles
of trails to explore.
LA PURISIMA
Trail maps are
MISSION
LOMPOC
available at the
Entrance Station, Visitor Center and Gift Shop.
Hiking Trails
LA PURISIMA MISSION
STATE HISTORIC PARK
2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 733-3713 – Office
(805) 735-5185 – Visitor Center
(805) 736-3605 – Gift Shop
lapurisimamission.org
LA PURISIMA MISSION
STATE HISTORIC PARK
For places to stay and other Lompoc attractions:
COME VISIT… LET HISTORY SURROUND YOU
ExploreLompoc.com
Lompoc, California
2018
2018 EVENTS CALENDAR
LIVING HISTORY EVENTS
During the Mission Life Day Event Series (below),
costumed docents and staff offer an exciting opportunity
to experience early mission life back in the 1820s with
special demonstrations and activities.
Traditional Mission Life Day
March 17
Join costumed docents and staff for demonstrations and
activities that may include tortilla making, candle making,
soap making, spinning and weaving, carpentry, pottery,
and blacksmithing.
Natural History Day
April 7
Explore the colors and critters of spring with
our Park Rangers at La Purisima. Learn about
the park’s wild inhabitants at the Mammal
and Bird station, check out our Scales
and Tales Reptile Encounter, and hit the
trail for a wildflower/wildlife hike.
For all ages!
Hide & Tallow Mission Life Day
July 21
Unplug your gadgets, and bring your kids to experience
Mission life the old-fashioned way with special hands-on,
kid friendly activities for all ages.
Harvest Mission Life Day
September 15
Come stomp grapes at the end-of-the-season grape
harvest, and enjoy other traditional Mission activities.
September 22
Escorted by candlelight, guests travel back in time to the
1820s on a walking tour, moving from scene to scene
enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the evening
at La Purisima Mission.
Mission Gala & Auction
October 6
Enjoy a lovely evening in the Mission garden around the
Padre’s fountain while sipping wine, tasting appetizers,
and bidding on a bountiful array of gift baskets, handmade
items, travel packages and more.
December 8
Founding Day recognizes the day La Purisima Mission was
founded on December 8, 1787 which is the Feast Day of
the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Mass is held at noon
in the historic church, followed by a special concert by
candlelight in the evening.
April 21
Watch the Mission sheep get their annual shear and
learn about wool production during mission times with
engaging activities for the entire family.
Children’s Mission Life Day
Candlelight Tours
Founding Day Remembrance
Sheep Shear Mission Life Day
May 19
Come rope a steer, sew a leather pouch, dip a candle, and
enjoy traditional mission crafts and other engaging activities.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Las Posadas
Mountain Men Encampment
March 24 | August 24 & 25
Buckskin clad members of the American Mountain Men
share mountain men history and skills such as cooking,
hide preparation and tanning, leather working, rope
making and blacksmithing. Equipment will be on display
and tall tales will surround the campfire.
Village Days
August 25 | November 3
The Tule Village comes to life as visitors experience the
blending of traditional Chumash Indian and Colonial
Spanish culture. Visitors engage in activities such as
acorn grinding, basket weaving, making soapstone
beads and tule dolls, and playing Chumash games.
December 15
Based on a tradition that goes back over 400 years in
Mexico, Las Posadas re-enacts the journey of Mary
and Joseph as they travel from inn to inn on their way
to Bethlehem. Join costumed docents as they lead the
procession through the Mission.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
La Purisima offers a variety of programs and learning
experiences for students and educators. Please visit the
website for details.
March
17th
Traditional Mission Life Day
March
24th
Mountain Men Encampment
April
7th
Natural History Day
April
21st
Sheep Shear Mission Life Day
May
19th
Hide & Tallow Mission Life Day
July
21st
Children’s Mission Life Day
August
24/25th
Mountain Men Encampment
August
25th
Village Days
September
15th
Harvest Mission Life Day
September
22nd
Candlelight Tour
October
6th
Mission Gala & Auction
November
3rd
Village Days
December
8th
December
15th
11 AM to 2 PM
10 AM to 4 PM
10 AM to 2 PM
11 AM to 2 PM
11 AM to 2 PM
11 AM to 2 PM
10 AM to 4 PM
11 AM to 2 PM
11 AM to 2 PM
6 PM to 9 PM
4 PM to 7 PM
11 AM to 2 PM
Founding Day Remembrance
12 PM (mass) / 7 PM (concert)
Las Posadas
2 PM to 4 PM
For more information on all these special events:
www.lapurisimamission.org
