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Old Mission Santa Barbara vs Santa Barbara Zoo

Both are recommended by travel writers. On balance, Old Mission Santa Barbara is preferred by most writers compared to Santa Barbara Zoo. Old Mission Santa Barbara has a TripExpert Score of 91 with accolades from 7 publications like Afar Magazine, Concierge and Michelin Guide.

Old Mission Santa Barbara
Old Mission Santa Barbara
8 / 10
2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
From $0 /night
Concierge Concierge
"Even if you avoid church tours like the plague, head for this hilltop landmark—the view and historical experience are worth it."
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"Called the ‘Queen of the Missions,’ Mission Santa Barbara reigns above the city on a hilltop perch about a mile northwest of downtown." Full review
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
"Catch up on early California history at the beautiful, centuries-old Santa Barbara Mission." Full review
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
0 Stars
"Its twin pink-domed towers rising majestically against the foothills surrounding Mission Canyon, the church of California's 10th mission dominates the city both physically and spiritually." Full review
Afar Magazine Afar Magazine
" The legacy of this period lives on at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, a masterpiece of Spanish colonial revival architecture built in 1929 and just five minutes on foot from the Presidio." Full review
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Santa Barbara Zoo
8 / 10
500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
From $0 /night
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
"At the 500-animal Santa Barbara Zoo, where you'll also find beautiful gardens." Full review
Fodor's Fodor's
"This compact zoo's grounds are so gorgeous people book weddings here long in advance." Full review
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
1 Star
"Set amid 30 lush acres of cacti and palm gardens overlooking the ocean, the zoo contains some 500 animals of 160 species displayed in environments that approximate their native habitats." Full review
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"Small (so it's perfect for young kids) Santa Barbara Zoo has 146 species covering all creatures great and small, including several not found in many other zoos." Full review
i
Don't miss the chance to see endangered California Condors – probably your best bet for seeing them in the whole state – and giant anteaters.
U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report
4.0
"Neighboring the Andree Clark Bird Refuge in the east part of downtown, the Santa Barbara Zoo gives visitors a taste of the exotic just a block from the sandy shore." Full review
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