La Purisima Mission Guided Tours & Living History Events

Step back in time, and experience Mission life and early California history. La Purisima Mission is the most extensively restored Mission in all of California.

About La Purisima Mission State Historic Park

At La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, you’ll find ten reconstructed buildings, furnished rooms, mission gardens, and livestock and represent life at the Mission nearly 200 years ago. Guided tours of the buildings and grounds are offered Wednesdays thru Sundays also on holiday Mondays, starting at 1 pm.

Open 7 days a week, year-round (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day), the nearly 2,000 acre historic state park is also home to 25 miles of hiking trails to explore. Also, trail maps are available at the Entrance Station, Visitor Center and Gift Shop. Parking is just $6 while admission is free.

One of the best times to visit La Purisima Mission is during one of the Mission Life Day Event Series. Costumed docents and staff offer an opportunity to experience early mission life back in the 1820s with special demonstrations and activities.

Here’s what’s planned for 2017

Traditional Mission Life Day – March 18
Tour the grounds, and see demonstrations on tortilla making, candle making, bread baking, spinning. In addition, demonstrators will introduce visitors to weaving, carpentry, pottery and blacksmithing.

Sheep Shear Mission Life Day  – April 22
Watch the Mission sheep get their annual “hair cut” and learn about wool production. Technique demonstrations include fleece washing, spinning and weaving.

Hide & Tallow Mission Life Day – May 27
Learn about the leather and tallow crafts of the Mission with hands-on activities.

Children’s Mission Life Day – July 22
Unplug your gadgets, and bring your kids to experience Mission life the old-fashioned way with special activities for families.

Harvest Mission Life Day – September 9
Stomp grapes and thresh wheat at the end-of-the-season harvest while enjoying other traditional Mission activities.

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