Sabado Historic Architectural Walking Tours of Santa Barbara

On the Sabado (Saturday) Tour, see the historic de la Guerra Adobe, El Paseo, the Hill-Carillo Adobe, the Meridian Studios, the Lobero Theatre and much, much more. Hear the rich anecdotal history of these buildings, their designers, and their builders. Learn what created the stunning transformation and forever changed Santa Barbara from ordinary to extraordinary. Celebrate with us the rich cultural heritage left by the first Spanish and Mexican settlers and those giants of Southern California Architecture Julia Morgan, George Washington Smith, Reginald Johnson, Joseph Plunkett and many others.

Casa De La Guerra, where the city held its first official meeting in 1875.

The historic courtyard of El Paseo,“Street in Spain”; De La Guerra St. Unfortunately this space is now taken up with businesses and offices, but it used to be full of cafes and botique shops which would have been fantastic.

Domingo Historic Architectural Walking Tour

I've really enjoyed other walking tours that I've done, and so why not in Santa Barbara? So on Sunday I thought I'd get out in the sunshine and take one of these walking tours. Walking always seems to be the best way to get to know a city. The buildings here are really nothing like anything I've seen in Australia, which I guess is because we don't have a Spanish herritage.

On the Domingo (Sunday) Tour, see the historic art and architecture of downtown Santa Barbara as it was reborn after the 7.1 1925 earthquake. From the Public library and it’s famous murals,

through La Arcada Court, (complete with turtles!)

up State Street, experience sculpture, famous courtyards,

historic Arlington Hotel, the Granada Theater and other architectural delights.

Learn about the architectural history and how the Women’s League and Pearl Chase forced the city to maintain an architectural integrity, beautiful public park spaces and rich landscapes making Santa Barbara “The Riviera of America”

San Fancisco - Palace of Fine Arts

One thing I found fasinating in San Francisco was the Palace of Fine Arts. While I was on the walking tour, it just stood out in the SF skyline - so different from the 'Painted Ladies' of the city streets.

It was originally built in 1915 as a temporary building as part of the Panama Pacific Exposition held in SF to 'rebirth' the city. The building was preserved, and here it is today.