a day / 2 miles / 31 minutes
This pleasant downtown walk will introduce you to Santa Barbara’s most interesting historic landmarks in approximately 12 blocks. Numerous restaurants and shops can be found along the way. The Red Tile Walking Tour was originally developed by the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce.
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Day 1
1. Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Start at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse,a Spanish-Moorish architectural masterpiece with an 80 foot clock tower. The interior includes hand-painted ceilings, giant murals, rare art, imported tiles, and more. It is a National historic landmark built in Spanish-Moorish design in 1929. The Courthouse is surrounded by beautiful sunken gardens and offers stunning panoramic views from the four-story clock tower. Open daily. Free.
9:05 am - 0.1 miles / a minute - 9:07 am
9:12 am - 0.0 miles / - 9:13 am
3. Santa Barbara Museum Of Art
The Museum features important works by American, European and Asian artists and rotates an impressive collection of exhibits and events.
9:18 am - 0.1 miles / 2 minutes - 9:22 am
Has bronze statuary and informational plaques on buildings
9:27 am - 0.2 miles / 4 minutes - 9:33 am
Has the city’s first wooden floor inside. Some Adobes may require advanced reservation to go inside.
9:38 am - 0.2 miles / 3 minutes - 9:42 am
California’s first shopping center, built in the 1920s. Enter at the corner of State and De la Guerra Streets. El Paseo houses popular restaurants, specialty shops and art galleries.
9:47 am - 0.0 miles / - 9:48 am
Continue through El Paseo to De la Guerra Street, and enter the charming courtyard of Casa De la Guerra. Casa De la Guerra was constructed between 1819-1827 by the fifth Presidio comandante, José de la Guerra, who was among Santa Barbara’s wealthiest and most influential citizens.
9:53 am - 0.1 miles / 2 minutes - 9:56 am
This is where the first city council met in 1850. Next to it stands both City Hall and the offices of the Santa Barbara News-Press.
10:01 am - 0.0 miles / - 10:02 am
Formerly owned by some of early Santa Barbara’s wealthy families. (but today feature businesses)
10:07 am - 0.1 miles / a minute - 10:09 am
The oldest street in Santa Barbara! See the plaque commemorating the Guard’s House at the corner of Presidio Avenue and De la Guerra Street. Now go into the Presidio Gardens on the site of the Presidio parade grounds.
10:14 am - 0.0 miles / - 10:15 am
One of the city's oldest structures, next door is Lugo Adobe.
10:20 am - 0.0 miles / - 10:21 am
Lugo Adobe is nestled in a picturesque courtyard.
10:26 am - 0.1 miles / a minute - 10:28 am
11. Santa Barbara Historical Museum
Check hours first and enter through the museum front door. The museum holds documents, furniture, decorative and fine arts from all periods of the area’s history, plus rotating exhibits and artwork. Open daily except holidays.
10:33 am - 0.0 miles / - 10:34 am
10:39 am - 0.0 miles / - 10:40 am
10:45 am - 0.1 miles / 2 minutes - 10:48 am
Built with some of the bricks salvaged from the Presidio walls.
10:53 am - 0.1 miles / a minute - 10:55 am
14. El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
Turn left on Canon Perdido Street and take note of the reconstructed Presidio Chapel and Cañeda Adobe, named after the Presidio soldier to whom it was deeded when the Presidio became inactive. Presidio was the last military outpost built by Spain in the New World, dedicated in 1782. You can visit authentically restored quarters, living history exhibits and take a docent guided tour. Open daily except major holidays. Free.
11:00 am - 0.0 miles / - 11:01 am
The family residence of the soldier assigned to guard the western Presidio gate.
11:06 am - 0.0 miles / - 11:07 am
The post office is a prominent example of Mission Revival-influenced Art Deco design
11:12 am - 0.1 miles / a minute - 11:14 am
One of California’s oldest theaters
11:19 am - 0.2 miles / 4 minutes - 11:24 am