Combining history with architecture, your guide will walk you through the City’s original town center while discussing the evolution of Old Town from 1850 to the present day; stroll through the Brinkerhoff district – home to 32 historic homes mostly Victorians; and finally, mesmerize you with buildings designed by local architect Jeff Shelton (including the famous “Dr. Seuss” house) which rival the Old Mission and Courthouse in terms of “must see” sites in Santa Barbara. This 2-hour adventure begins in the 700 block of State Street and ends in the 500 block. If you ever wondered how Santa Barbara was able to create a uniform architectural style – Spanish Colonial – this is the tour to take! As an added bonus, on weekday tours we often visit Shelton’s studio!
Not Included on This Tour:
Historical information and other sites of interest above Ortega Street e.g., El Paseo, Lobero Theatre, Courthouse, Meridian Studios, etc.
Things to Know
- The tour is tip-based and our volunteer guides rely on your generous gratuities as their compensation (Cash and Venmo accepted)
- Reservations recommended. Use the reservation system to see available dates and secure a spot.
- The tour is limited to 10 persons. Two (2) person minimum needed for the tour to run.
- The tour starts at 10am and lasts two (2) hours (unless we stop to visit architect Jeff Shelton – add 5-10 minutes) and covers a walking distance of one mile. There is no seating on this tour.
- See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for additional information
