Mission Possible

The Old Mission is a popular visitor spot in Santa Barbara, but many visitors are unaware of what lies beyond this stately historic landmark, on the east side. The 10-acre Mission Historical Park  features a maze of sycamore- and oak-shaded walking and biking trails. But it’s the waterworks ruins, built by Chumash Indians and dating back to the early 1800s, that are most intriguing. The majority of the infrastructure is located in the northern section of the park, including stone-lined aqueducts, a grist mill, and two reservoirs. Explore the upper reservoir and grist mill. Climb atop the retaining wall of the empty reservoir (which is really just an old relic) and you’ll come to a crumbling stone staircase leading down into it. From inside the reservoir a penstock leads down into the grist mill below. In the park south of Alameda Padre Serra you’ll find a jail cell; the roof is gone but stone walls remain.

Park near the Old Mission at 2201 Laguna St. in Santa Barbara and cross to the east side of Los Olivos St. The 10-acre park is located across E. Los Olivos St. and is bisected by Alameda Padre Serra, so make sure to explore both the upper and lower portions to catch sight of all the ruins. Dog-friendly!