Mission Rose Garden

Santa Barbara, CA Print   Leave a comment

Description

Make your way amongst myriad colors of roses, stopping to smell the sweet scents. Some smell fruity, others smell musky, others smell, well, rosey. The ones closest to the fountain are known for their perfumed powder smell. Bring a big blanket and sit out on the green hilly lawn, taking in the regal Santa Barbara Mission above. Note its unusual architectural mix of Spanish and American Indian influences. Join the many people playing frisbee on a sunny day. Look down upon the quaint Spanish-style houses that line Plaza Rubio, the street below. It's the perfect scene, and you'll leave bubbly with joy.
From the top of the lawn, near Los Olivos Street, you can see the ocean!
At sunset the Mission Rose Gardens are cast in a saturated coppery light. Your shadow will extend all the way down the hill! Cuddle up to your lover and feel the magic of Santa Barbara! The mulit-layered views of mountains dotted with sandstone outcroppings and tall eucalyptus trees on the hill will awe you.
By Plaza Rubio, the street below the gardens, there is a Spanish fountain that kids enjoy.
For a walk, you can explore the ruins in the wooded area adjacent to the lawn. Or, walk down Laguna St, and explore the beautiful upper-eastside neighborhood, with its Victorian homes and pretty gardens. From Laguna Street, walk west on Micheltorena Street and you will be at two parks that are absolute heaven: Alice Keck Park and Alameda Park, which has a wooden castle playground called Kidsworld.
For another playground nearby, set in a wooded area with a short hike and a stream, check out Rocky Nook Park.
Or, walk up Garden Street for a peaceful walk past ornate gates and landscaped gardens.
If you're hungry, head to Flavor of India- grab a mango lassi and one of their delicious combo plates- their lunch buffet is also scrumptious. 

Photo Gallery

Spanish fountain at the entrance to the rose garden.	Running up the hill at sunset. Long shadows.	High school students sitting on the lawn, like they do in France.
Bench and yellow roses.	The rose garden, the houses on Plaza Rubio, and the ocean behind!	Bench at the top of the lawn.
Bench amongst the roses!	View of mountains and eucalyptus trees from Plaza Rubio, at sunset around Christmastime.	The rose garden and lovely mountains behind!
View from the top of the rose garden lawn, looking down on Plaza Rubio, where there is a row of cute Spanish-style houses.	Picnic on the hill below the mission.	Roses with the mission behind.
Looking toward the mountains from Plaza Rubio- I love this view!	Silver dew drops.	White rose.
Closeup of a pink and yellow rose, with dew drops.	Red roses, so full and beautiful.	Red rose and silver dew drops.
Rose bud and dew drops.	Yellow roses and the mission behind.	Yellow rose with dew drops.
Dark yellow rose and little houses on Plaza Rubio.	Pink rose- what a delight!	Bench under a tree in front of the rose garden.
Pink roses and mountains behind.	Yellow roses with mountains behind.	The mission and red roses.

Directions

The Mission Rose Garden is located at Plaza Rubio, Santa Barbara CA 93103.
From Highway 101, take the Mission St exit and follow the signs to the mission. From Mission St, turn left on Garden St, right on Los Olivos St, right on Laguna St, and immediately left on Plaza Rubio. Park along the street.
Flavor of India, 3026 State St, Santa Barbara CA 93105, call (805) 682-6561.

This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.

Overall Visitor Rating:

jillian 08/20/2010 16:39	serene
kira 04/09/2010 20:37	OMG, it is crazy beautiful!
Aaron 10/01/2009 15:37	Stopping to smell the roses this afternoon- hopefully there's some left
Carla 09/19/2009 19:12	Wow! GREAT spot to take pictures or set up a photo shoot. Gorgeous views. Very interesting to visit the mission too.