Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Considered one of the most beautiful public buildings in the country, Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival masterpiece designed by William Mooser III. The iconic landmark features a clock tower with sweeping city views of red-tiled roofs stretching to the sea. The working courthouse is currently closed to the public but you can still explore the stunning exteriors, walk through the elegant archways and relax on the lawn of the sunken gardens while taking in the visual splendor of the 150,000 square foot building that occupies an entire city block.

Santa Barbara Harbor & Maritime Museum

Any visit to the waterfront should include a stop at Santa Barbara’s working Harbor and SEA Landing. This is command central for encounters of the aquatic kind—whale watching cruises, scenic sails, kayak and paddleboard rentals, fishing and SCUBA charters, and all sorts of oceanic goodness. The Harbor is filled with delicious seafood restaurants as well as the Santa Barbara Fish Market open daily. Occupying the former Naval Reserve Building, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum* (SBMM) has broad appeal across age groups thanks to the mix of dynamic exhibitions that delve into topics like tides, surf culture, marine conservation, and military history and include displays of historic photographs, gear, and historic vessels. Reservations are not required and tickets are available for purchase onsite day-of.