The Mission · State Street · The Waterfront
A coastal city between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific, known for its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and south-facing beaches.
Search Santa Barbara HomesThe story
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County. Because the coastline here runs east–west, its beaches face south toward the Channel Islands.
Red-tile roofs and white stucco define the downtown, from State Street to the waterfront at Stearns Wharf and the Funk Zone.
The history
The Chumash lived here for thousands of years before Spanish settlement. The Royal Presidio of Santa Barbara was founded in 1782, and Mission Santa Barbara, often called the “Queen of the Missions,” in 1786.
Santa Barbara incorporated as a city in 1850. Stearns Wharf was built in 1872.
After the 1925 earthquake, the city rebuilt in a unified Spanish Colonial Revival style. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse was completed in 1929. Old Spanish Days Fiesta has been celebrated since 1924.
Living here
Walkability varies by neighborhood. See current Walk Score®, Transit Score® and Bike Score® ratings.
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