Old Town
El Presidio, State Street, the Courthouse and the streets the city rebuilt in Spanish style after 1925.
El Presidio de Santa Bárbara, then and now
Spain's last fort in Alta California nearly vanished under a growing town. Two adobes survived, and the rest has been rebuilt on the original foundations, one room at a time.
Up the Courthouse clock tower
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a working court, a public garden and the best free view in town. Start in the Mural Room, then climb El Mirador and look down.
The Red Tile walk, stop by stop
A dozen blocks, two centuries of building and one consistent idea: white walls, deep shade and red tile. Here is the classic downtown loop, and what to look at in each place.
Also in Old Town
The earthquake that made Santa Barbara Spanish
Before 1925 downtown Santa Barbara looked like most small American cities. One summer morning shook it down, and a handful of determined people decided what would rise in its place.
State Street, from the mountains to the sea
Santa Barbara's main street runs straight from the foothills to the ocean. Since 2020 much of its downtown stretch has been closed to cars. Here is how to walk it, block by block.
Queen of the Missions
On its rise above the city, Mission Santa Barbara has faced the sea for two centuries. Here is what to look for, from the twin towers to the cemetery and the old waterworks.
Old Town's museums, one by one
Downtown Santa Barbara packs a surprising number of museums into a few blocks. Here is what each one is best for, and how long to give it.