Santa Barbara’s Historic Heart: From the Presidio to the 101
This is our second of three posts describing downtown Santa Barbara’s landmarks . Our first post can be found here. Our journey begins at the Santa Barbara Presidio, a military outpost established in 1782 by the Spanish to defend the coast and protect the nearby Mission Santa Barbara. Today, the Presidio stands as a state historic park, offering visitors a window into California’s colonial era. The adobe buildings and reconstructed fortifications provide a tangible link to Santa Barbara’s Spanish roots, showcasing the architectural style that would later influence the city’s iconic look.