Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Santa Barbara (must see)
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is often called one of the most stunning public buildings in the U.S.鈥攁nd for once, that kind of praise isn鈥檛 just brochure talk. Built in 1929 after the original 1872 version was leveled by an earthquake, the city didn鈥檛 just rebuild but seized the moment and went full architectural drama. The result was a bold embrace of Spanish Colonial Revival style, featuring red-tiled roofs, hand-painted tiles, white stucco walls, and arches with serious charm. Architect William Mooser III wasn鈥檛 shy about ambition, and it shows. This place takes up an entire city block and still serves as a working courthouse, though you'd be forgiven for assuming you accidentally wandered into a Mediterranean film set.
One of its top features is the El Mirador Clock Tower, soaring 85 feet and offering a panoramic sweep of Santa Barbara鈥攆rom tiled rooftops to the Pacific blues and the rolling Santa Ynez Mountains. Its best part is an elevator, so no heroic stair-climbing required.
Then there鈥檚 the Mural Room, a former courtroom turned ceremonial showpiece. More than 4,000 square feet of murals by Dan Sayre Groesbeck kick the city鈥檚 early history into vivid gear鈥攄ramatic, detailed, and perfect for those who prefer their history served with a side of artistic swagger.
Outside, the vibe holds strong. The Sunken Garden, planted where the old courthouse once stood, is now a favorite for outdoor concerts and sun-soaked lounging. And the Spirit of the Ocean Fountain, dating back to 1927, keeps the scene playful with sculpted figures flanking a dolphin that exudes timeless confidence.
With its mix of grand design, historical storytelling, and unexpected flair at every turn, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse proves that not all government buildings are built equal鈥攕ome are built to be admired...
One of its top features is the El Mirador Clock Tower, soaring 85 feet and offering a panoramic sweep of Santa Barbara鈥攆rom tiled rooftops to the Pacific blues and the rolling Santa Ynez Mountains. Its best part is an elevator, so no heroic stair-climbing required.
Then there鈥檚 the Mural Room, a former courtroom turned ceremonial showpiece. More than 4,000 square feet of murals by Dan Sayre Groesbeck kick the city鈥檚 early history into vivid gear鈥攄ramatic, detailed, and perfect for those who prefer their history served with a side of artistic swagger.
Outside, the vibe holds strong. The Sunken Garden, planted where the old courthouse once stood, is now a favorite for outdoor concerts and sun-soaked lounging. And the Spirit of the Ocean Fountain, dating back to 1927, keeps the scene playful with sculpted figures flanking a dolphin that exudes timeless confidence.
With its mix of grand design, historical storytelling, and unexpected flair at every turn, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse proves that not all government buildings are built equal鈥攕ome are built to be admired...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santa Barbara. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: 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.
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
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
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