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The Santa Barbara Courthouse, a historic landmark and architectural masterpiece, stands as a symbol of the city's rich cultural heritage....

Nestled in the heart of Montecito lies a piece of living history—the Montecito Firehouse . Originally built in 1931 , this architectural...

Nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Junior High School stands as more than just an educational institution—it is a...

Nestled along the scenic coastline of Santa Barbara lies one of the city’s treasured aquatic landmarks: Los Baños del Mar Pool. Steeped...

Santa Barbara, often referred to as the American Riviera, is renowned for its Mediterranean-like climate, scenic coastal views, and rich...

When discussing architectural landmarks in Santa Barbara, one name rises above all others—George Washington Smith. Known as the father of...

Santa Barbara, known for its stunning coastal views and Mediterranean charm, is also home to a rich cultural scene. Nestled in the heart...

The years following World War II saw an evolution in the use of Stearns Wharf. Previously, the wharf had served as the city’s primary...

One of the most tranquil places on the South Coast is the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge. The serenity of this park today holds little clue to...

Santa Barbarans have long been proud of their city's heritage from Spanish founders and from the Spanish, Mexican and North American...

The San Ysidro Ranch, located high in the Montecito hills, is today one of the area’s most exclusive resorts. It boasts a history that...

Stone has been a time-honored building material in Santa Barbara since the earliest days of the city. Wood was never in great supply....

The Loberos story began in the 1840s, when a young Italian trombone player named Giuseppe Lobero arrived in San Francisco to take part...

Plaza Rubio, which faces the rose garden of Mission Historical Park, is a small-scale example of early urban planning. The seven homes...

The 1870s was the decade when tourism first became an important factor in the South Coast’s economy. An important element in this...

Architect Robin Donaldson once remarked, "This isn’t the only Hill House out there," and indeed, he was onto something. From the Scottish...

Jeff Shelton's upbringing in the artistic hills of Santa Barbara, immersed in a family of musicians and artists, laid the foundation for...

by Walker A. Tompkins Our area is rich in California history. First written mention of it was made in Portola’s diary on April 20, 1769,...

by Walker A. Tompkins Samarkand meant “the land of heart’s desire” in the archaic Persian tongue. It identified the fabulous Asian city...

Nestled to the east of State Street and extending beyond Valerio Street, the Upper East neighborhood stands as one of Santa Barbara's...