Architectural Walking Tour of Santa Barbara - Exclusive
Santa Barbara Architectural Walking Tour – Just for Spunky Seniors and Friends!
Join us for a special weekday architectural walking tour of historic downtown Santa Barbara, led by fellow Spunky Senior Betsy J. Green, a volunteer docent with the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara! The Architectural Foundation normally offers its popular Sabado Tour on Saturday mornings, but Betsy has arranged a special date just for Spunky Seniors.
DETAILS:
Thursday, September 10, 2026
10:00 AM – approximately 11:30 AM
Optional lunch afterward at La Paloma Cafe
TOUR DONATION:
$20 per-person donation to SB Architectural Foundation. Pay with RSVP - see below.
Betsy is volunteering her time and does not charge for leading the tour.
WHAT WE'LL SEE:
After the devastating 1925 earthquake damaged much of downtown Santa Barbara, the city chose to honor its Spanish roots by creating the picturesque Spanish Colonial Revival character we know today. On this walking tour, we’ll explore buildings that survived the earthquake and helped inspire the architecture that followed.
Along the way, Betsy will point out fascinating architectural and historical details at places including:
• Santa Barbara City Hall
• Casa de la Guerra
• Lobero Theatre
• El Paseo
• Hill-Carrillo Adobe
• And other historic downtown treasures
Even if you've lived in Santa Barbara for years, Betsy guarantees you'll notice architectural features you've probably walked past many times without ever seeing!
Learn more about the Sabado Architectural Walking Tour: https://afsb.org/santa-barbara-architecture-walking-tours
WALKING:
Approximately one mile with lots of stops along the way. Allow about 1½ hours, possibly a little longer depending on our pace and photo stops.
MEETING PLACE:
Meet on the steps of Santa Barbara City Hall under the giant Brazilian Pepper Tree in De la Guerra Plaza.
City Hall
735 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
PARKING
Betsy recommends City Parking Lot #10 on Ortega Street, about ½ block east of State Street next to Dargan's. From there, walk one block north to De la Guerra Plaza. The Architectural Foundation also lists paid parking at 18 E. Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
RSVP:
You must reserve your spot on TWO platforms:
Luma - RSVP required at luma.com/spunkyseniors.
Architectural Foundation - RSVP and $20 payment required at https://3common.com/spunky-seniors
ABOUT BETSY:
Betsy J. Green is a regular on Nextdoor and has been writing about history and architecture for more than 25 years. She is the author of a dozen books and writes The Great House Detective column for the Santa Barbara Independent. She has been leading Santa Barbara architecture tours for about a dozen years. A fountain of information! Check her out: betsyjgreen.com, Youtube channel: BetsyJGreen.
OPTIONAL LUNCH AFTERWARD:
After the tour, those who would like to can walk over together for lunch at La Paloma Cafe, just one block from De la Guerra Plaza and the parking lot.
La Paloma Cafe
702 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
https://lapalomasb.com/
Come discover the Santa Barbara you thought you knew — and see our beautiful downtown through new eyes!