Sunday, November 15, 2015

Buellton, CA, La Purisima Mission

We are having a very nice week in Buellton.  Located near Solvang and the ocean and more wine country there is plenty to do!


We did the Gaviota Peak Overlook hike in Gaviota State Park nearby and enjoyed some really nice views of the area:

 In the distance here you can see the ocean and a couple of oil platforms:
 We've been out to Lompoc and enjoyed a walk about checking out the murals:




a painter is refreshing a mural of the Chumash Indians


this coyote posed for me just outside of Lompoc

La Purisima Mission sits on 2,000 acres of what was originally a 300,000 acre mission property.    Built in the 1700s by the Franciscans to convert the Chumash Indians.

Ten of it's original buildings were fully restored by the CCC in the early 1940's and authentically refurnished.

You can wander the buildings and grounds for hours and/or hike on some of the 25 miles of hiking trails.
the top bell was made from wood before the mission could afford metal bells


Mike and I hiking on the mission property are looking down on the mission roofs....

we did not realize this whole area is sand dunes and the hiking was challenging in many places!

beautiful manzanita forests


the two main buildings of the mission


blacksmith shop



fountain detail from the laundry "pool"




the padres business office


indoor bathrooms;)









the Chumash Indians were taught how to weave rugs which were used in the mission and sold for income

the main church





2 comments:

  1. The sandy trail looks challenging! That warbler photo is adorable!

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    Replies
    1. It was certainly a good workout Lisa! Good light on the warbler:)

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