Take a step back in time and discover Santa Barbara’s unique and rich history in the Presidio Neighborhood. Located in the middle of downtown Santa Barbara, this vibrant, bustling district is where Santa Barbara officially got its start. It’s home to a variety of neighborhood shops and eateries that capture the open-air appeal of coastal California and the European ambiance for which the city is known.
The ivy covered entrance to the walkways of El Paseo. Photo Credit: Mark Weber
Enjoy a self-guided or docent-led tour inside the Presidio walls and Casa de la Guerra, one of the first Royal Presidio army comandante homes, to gain insight into the daily lives of the city’s founders. If you skip the tours, be sure to walk through parts of the de la Guerra home and El Cuartel — the second oldest building in California — to see how the early settlers lived and worked with their families.
Can’t get enough Santa Barbara history? Visit the Santa Barbara Historical Museumwhere original relics and art pieces are displayed in rotation every few months from the vast collection housed in the 10,000-square-foot underground vault. Every trip to the museum guarantees a fresh perspective on Santa Barbara’s history. For an active history lesson, try a self-guided Red Tile Walking Tour via podcast any day of the week.
Wander through the catacomb-like hallways of Paseo de la Guerra, one of the oldest outdoor shopping arcades in California, for an afternoon of wine tasting. Half a dozen different tasting rooms make up the wineries of the Presidio Neighborhood and they await your expert palate and opinion.
Welcome to our tasting room, nestled in the historic Presidio neighborhood of downtown Santa Barbara at 813 Anacapa Street, Suite B. Here, you can explore the current releases and library wines from Au Bon Climat, Clendenen Family Vineyards, and…
Explore an 18th-century historic symbol of Santa Barbara—and the many cultures that intersected here—at the site of the last Spanish fortress in California. Operated by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) for…
Our beautifully designed space will inspire renewal. Featuring a coastal modern design, Float is light & airy, modern but comfortable, simple yet luxurious Santa Barbara spa. Come in for a quick fix or stay for the day and enjoy all the…
Voted Best Winery and Best Tasting Room by the readers of both the Santa Barbara Independent and the Santa Barbara News-Press! We are a family owned and operated winery and vineyard with a love for the land and a commitment to making the finest…
At Jamie Slone Wines our mission is to provide guests an outstanding Santa Barbara wine experience! Recent accolades include: Winner: Favorite Winery & Favorite Tasting Room 2019 Santa Barbara News-Press Readers' Choice Awards. BEST Urban…
Welcome back in time, back in Santa Barbara history to La Paloma Cafe. After 37 years, “the dove” has again taken flight on the iconic corner of Anacapa and Ortega streets in the historic Presidio Neighborhood. And like an old friend,…
The Lobero Theatre has been the heart and rhythm of Santa Barbara for the last 150 years. Originally founded as Jose Lobero’s Opera House in 1873, the Lobero is the oldest continuously operating theatre in California and the fourth oldest…
Take a fascinating journey from the past to the present at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Located on lovely grounds in the heart of downtown’s El Pueblo Viejo District, the Museum is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the city…
