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Santa Barbara's Red Tile Walking Tour takes you past some of the most
spectacular and historical architecture in California. The downtown
area is a beautiful blend of restored 19th century adobes and Mission
Revival architecture. The most captivating locations are the Santa
Barbara County Courthouse, the Lobero Theater, Casa de la Guerra,
El Paseo and Lobero Theater. Mission Santa Barbara, the Queen of the
Missions, is approximately nine blocks up Anacapa St. Click
here for downtown maps that show points of interest, parking,
and transportation.
The Courthouse Sunken Gardens as also serve as a venue for free concerts and festivals throughout the year. Director Gisele Ben-Dor conducts the Santa Barbara Symphony's salute to Independence Day each Fourth of July. During Old Spanish Days in August, dancers from as far away as South America put on a wonderful exhibition of flamenco under the stars. |
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Santa Barbara Mission was founded December 4, 1786 by the Spanish Franciscans, and built by Indian labor. Preserved from the The fountain and lavadero are nearby, in front of the mission, and a dam built in 1807 is located in the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, one and one-half miles up Mission Canyon. Only ruins remain of the mission's pottery kiln, guard house, and tanning vats. Known as the "Queen of the Missions" for its beautiful setting and impressive architecture, it still serves as a Catholic parish church. |
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Stearns
Wharf was built in 1872 Today
it is the oldest working wharf in California and home to fine restaurants,
shops, and exhibits. Drawing over five million visitors annually,
Stearns Wharf is Santa Barbara's most popular attraction. |
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 The
entrance to Stearns Wharf is marked by Santa Barbara's Friendship
Fountain. It was created by Bud Bottoms to honor the Chumash Indians
and their close bond with the dolphins of the channel. He also crafted
similar fountains for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Toba City, Japan,
sister cities of Santa Barbara. |
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 Wednesday
through Sunday you can see the efforts of The Santa Barbara Flag Project
along the breakwater of the Marina. Each of the twenty-six handmade
flags has a small plaque on the flag pole describing the community
organization it represents. |
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The
Santa Barbara Courthouse is world famous for its architecture and
gardens. For seventy years, the Spanish-Moorish structure has been
one of the city's most photographed attractions. The elegant interior
includes hand-painted ceilings, wrought-iron chandeliers, giant
murals, carved wooden doors, and imported tiles. The top of the
80-foot clock tower affords a panoramic view of the city, ocean,
and mountains.There are free guided tours Monday through Saturday
at 2 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.
Escape
Santa Barbara's morning marine layer and bask in the sunshine of
the valleys! 
by
J.P. Stearns to serve cargo and passenger ships. In the 1930's
it was used by gamblers to board floating casinos, then during WWII
it operated as a naval installation.