Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Santa Barbara

Wow! Wish all courthouses looked like this. It’s really a treasure. I’m so glad a friend recommended it to us. We arrived early and were able to find free parking right up front. Really worth a visit to locals and visitors.

Looking for a place to sight-see? A place to bring out-of-town folks? Or maybe just jazz up your day? If it's before 4:45pm, check out the Courthouse Clock Tower. There is the option of elevator (kinda slow) or stairs. If you can, be sure to take the stairs one way, either up or down, because along the way there are some lovely mosaics and various views of the inner courthouse. The view on a relatively clear day is lovely and being on the tower is so refreshing with the breeze. On each of the four sides there are maps labeling what you can see from that side of the tower so you can view some of SB's popular sightseeing destinations from above! Below the viewing platform of the tower is the Clock Gallery, though be sure to check the open hours if you decide to go because it closes up pretty early and is not open every day! The Mural Room is also breathtaking with beautiful historical moments depicted on each wall. Fantastic for photos. In general, the courthouse and its grounds are perfect for meandering or finding cool refuge on a hot day. It's truly a work of art inside and out.