La Purisima Mission State Historic Park

There are over 25 miles of established trails in La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, plus game trails that interconnect these on 2,000 acres of mixed chaparral and oak woodland. The historic buildings are usually open for visitors to see; however, during the pandemic, buildings are either locked or barred just inside the entrances so that you can look inside without entering completely. Because the Park is owned by the State of California, it is secular and not owned or run by the Catholic church. La Purisima is widely acknowledged as the most authentically restored of the original Spanish missions in Alta California. There is a visitor center and several buildings, ranch animals, gardens and lots of wildlife to see (mainly birds), also coyotes and deer, foxes, squirrels, and bobcats. Mountain lions also roam the Park but are very seldom seen.

There are two large hiking loops, one on the west side of the Park (the upper 4.1-mile Cuclillo trail loop), and one at the Park's center (the 3.3-mile lower loop). Both are very easy to hike, making them the most popular places for tourists to go with children; you can also ride your mountain bikes here. Horses are ridden on all the trails.

The best places to be alone and enjoy the chaparral are on the east and northeast sides of the Park on the less-traveled trails. If you go there, bring water and allow extra time. On the south side of the Cuclillo Trail (upper loop on the west side of Park), you can watch rockets launch from nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base—these are conducted several times per year and are announced in advance. (See SpaceFlightNow.org for scheduling info.) Wild flowers are visible throughout the Park during the spring months of March and April. The best times of year to visit are spring and fall, although the weather is often pleasant year-round in this part of California.

Don't forget to take water, especially during the summer months. Overall, this is a fun place to stop and visit if you are traveling between Los Angeles and San Francisco and want a quick hike. You can get a trail map at the Visitor Center for $1.00. I am a volunteer docent at the Park (the resident blacksmith) and can answer your questions about where to go (English, und ein bisschen Deutsch).