Red Tile Roofs
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse provides a view of the city. (Sydney Snyder, cropped)
J
ust northeast of Los Angeles is a town that nearly all Californians would agree is paradise, even when compared to the multiple well-known cities of the state: Santa Barbara. Its downtown consists of white buildings with red tile roofs, a Spanish-derivative style that references lasting ties to the Spanish Franciscans who founded this paradise in the late
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eighteenth century. Even just a few days in Santa Barbara can show you why this old city is a treasure to California. The Santa Barbara Mission, one of the twenty-one California Missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans two centuries ago, is celebrated for its renowned architecture and affluent history. Perhaps the most significant historical attraction in the city, the
Mission spans 13 acres and has an active church, a historic cemetery, a museum, and an expansive garden. For a small fee, you can choose from six different tours based on your time available and your desire to see certain parts of the property. Another popular site in the downtown area is the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, which sits just a mile and a half southeast of the
