Santa Barbara County Courthouse, a Spanish Colonial Revival style building built by William Mooser III in 1929, is a Spanish Colonial Revival-style structure. Charles Willard Moore, an architect, called it the "largest Spanish Colonial Revival building ever built" and the best example of Santa Barbara adopting Spanish Colonial as its civic design.
It is located at 1100 Anacapa Street in Santa Barbara, California. The building replaces a smaller Greek Revival courthouse that was built there in 1872-88, but badly damaged by an earthquake on June 29, 1925. For its architecture, the complex was made a National Historic Landmark.
Four buildings make up the courthouse, which covers 150,000 square feet. The Jail Wing is no longer used for prisoner detention. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the El Mirador clock tower at 85 feet. It has labeled photos that show where the viewer is looking in every direction.
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is currently undergoing several restoration projects in its various wings. Just recently, they have completed the restoration of the front fountain that was disintegrating. Over $150,000 has been spent on maintenance and improvements in the last two years.
The grounds cover an entire block of the city and contain specimen trees and palms from over 25 countries. Many events are held at the Sunken Garden, the site of the 1872 courthouse. Nearly 7000 visitors came from 60 different countries to the courthouse in 2015.
A large facade is visible at the main entrance of the courthouse. It depicts two figures seated in a throne. Between the figures is an inscribed translation of Marcus Terentius Varro's quote. On the right side of the door is the equivalent English translation.
The famed Santa Barbara County Courthouse Clock Tower offers 360-degree views over Santa Barbara. During your visit, take a look at the famous mural room, which highlights Santa Barbara’s rich history and roots in Chumash and Mexican immigrant cultures.
One-hour tours are available Monday through Friday at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm, and weekends and holidays (except Christmas) are at 2:00 pm. Reservations not required. The tours begin in the stunning Mural Room on second floor. A trained guide will lead visitors through the gardens and building, highlighting the landmark's history and focusing on the artisans and architects who made it possible.
The Courthouse is often referred to as the most beautiful building in government in America. The Spanish-Moorish style Spanish-Moorish building was designed by William Mooser III and completed in 1929 after the 1925 earthquake that decimated much of the city. It is located in Santa Barbara's downtown area on a block. This courthouse is surrounded by gardens and lawns. The attractively landscaped Spiral Stepcase Sunken Garden, where the 1872 courthouse was once located, is used for civic events, performances, and many weddings. The Santa Barbara County Parks Department can provide information about the Sunken Garden's use for wedding ceremonies and other events at this link. Information about marriage licenses can be found at County Clerk Recorder's.
For breathtaking views of the coast, mountains and city, visitors can take an elevator up to El Mirador's clock tower at 85 feet. The Mural Room and the fountain "Spirit of the Ocean", which are both notable for their architecture and intricate tile work, are just a few of the attractions.
The lobby is near the main archway and there is an information booth. The information booth is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday and from 10am to 4:30pm Saturday. The historic Santa Barbara Courthouse is open for free to docent tours at 10:30am and 2:20pm on Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday tours available
