Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Santa Barbara (must see)
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse features Spanish-Moorish Architecture, dating back to 1929. This lovely courthouse building enjoys a reputation as being America's most beautiful government building. As a working courthouse, the court's schedule may influence how often public touring is available, but it is worth your time.
There are lawn and garden areas that surround this building, with the Sunken Garden being a popular venue space. This garden area stands on the former site of the 1872 courthouse, destroyed in the 1925 earthquake. Outdoor performances are popular evening and weekend events.
The courthouse has an 85-foot clock tower known as El Mirador. Visitors who ride the elevator to the top of this tower can enjoy city views. Coastal and mountain views are also visible from the tower.
In addition to being an architectural marvel, this courthouse also boasts impressive tile work. The Mural Room is one of the most popular places for visitors to see. These canvas murals span over 4,000 square feet and depict the founding of the original Spanish mission.
The Spirit of the Ocean fountain, dating back to 1927, still stands on the courthouse grounds. This fountain features the images of a man and woman on either side of a dolphin.
The main lobby has an information booth where visitors can inquire about docent-led tours. Mondays through Fridays, tours are usually available at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, tours are at 2:00 pm.
Why You Should Visit:
Unique architecture and art beautifully tell the story of the area's history.
Gardens feature beautiful landscaping that offers perfect photo opportunities.
There are lawn and garden areas that surround this building, with the Sunken Garden being a popular venue space. This garden area stands on the former site of the 1872 courthouse, destroyed in the 1925 earthquake. Outdoor performances are popular evening and weekend events.
The courthouse has an 85-foot clock tower known as El Mirador. Visitors who ride the elevator to the top of this tower can enjoy city views. Coastal and mountain views are also visible from the tower.
In addition to being an architectural marvel, this courthouse also boasts impressive tile work. The Mural Room is one of the most popular places for visitors to see. These canvas murals span over 4,000 square feet and depict the founding of the original Spanish mission.
The Spirit of the Ocean fountain, dating back to 1927, still stands on the courthouse grounds. This fountain features the images of a man and woman on either side of a dolphin.
The main lobby has an information booth where visitors can inquire about docent-led tours. Mondays through Fridays, tours are usually available at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, tours are at 2:00 pm.
Why You Should Visit:
Unique architecture and art beautifully tell the story of the area's history.
Gardens feature beautiful landscaping that offers perfect photo opportunities.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santa Barbara. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Santa Barbara County Courthouse on Map
Sight Name: Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Sight Location: Santa Barbara, USA (See walking tours in Santa Barbara)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Santa Barbara, USA (See walking tours in Santa Barbara)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Santa Barbara, California
Create Your Own Walk in Santa Barbara
Creating your own self-guided walk in Santa Barbara is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Ranking as one of the most attractive places on earth, if only in terms of climate and geography alone, Santa Barbara boasts a wealth of historic architecture tastefully and seamlessly accommodated into the city's modern-day incarnation. To a first-time visitor to Santa Barbara, even the most cursory observation reveals the predominant role that these historic locations play in the identity... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Santa Barbara Introduction Walking Tour
A popular weekend location and coastal city, Santa Barbara, has some of Southern California's top locations. Originating as a Spanish mission in 1782 and incorporated as a city in the state of California in 1850, the city enjoys great popularity for its beaches and beautiful architecture.
This city's name comes from the original Spanish mission's name, and the mission property... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
This city's name comes from the original Spanish mission's name, and the mission property... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Santa Barbara Shopping Tour
Shopping in Santa Barbara, California is a serious affair! To those who may take it lightly, one can say (jokingly paraphrasing Oscar Wilde) that it is so shallow of them:) Indeed, from boutique-lined streets to charming courtyards, this coastal city boasts a wide retail spectrum, spanning from world-class stores to a multitude of local crafts shops fit to please even the most discerning and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles