Presidio of Santa Barbara

The Presidio of Santa Barbara was a military installation built by Spain in 1782. It is now a popular tourist attraction as well as an active archaeological site. It is the second oldest surviving building in California, beaten only by the chapel at Mission San Juan Capistrano near Los Angeles. Only a small portion of the original Presidio is still standing, and it has been restored.

The site of the Presidio was chosen by Filipe de Neve, the first governor of the Californias. It was strategically located at a spot along the harbor which was sheltered from severe storms. The first commandante, Jose Francisco Ortega, planned the fortifications and set up farms. Shortly thereafter, the city of Santa Barbara was built around the Presidio, which offered its citizens protection. The Presidio was in operation for 60 years. Although it was never attacked, it suffered devastation from earthquakes. By the time of the Mexican War in 1846, very little of it remained, and it no longer offered any protection.

Restoration of the Presidio began in 1963 and has been continuing since. In 1966, the land of the Presidio was established as a State Historic Park.

Address: 123 E. Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Telephone: (805) 965-0093
Hours: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM daily
Website: www.sbthp.org/presidio.htm

LANGUAGES: French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese