Beautiful building for architecture lovers and free for backpackers and families. Design on the inside is very well preserved. There are murals upstairs also with viewing. Worth your time! read more

Santa Barbara County Courthouse - Interior designs in the stairwell - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Centrally located and significant tourist spot. Enjoy the clock tower by entering and making your way up to the fourth floor where a panoramic view of the city is before you. read more

Santa Barbara County Courthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Excellent! One would not know the beauty of the interior based on the exterior (white-washed walls with red roof tiles). I can see why brides and quinceneras choose this location as the garden is picturesque. Please note, this is a functioning courthouse. There is a security check upon entry. Be prepared for that. I love the colorful tiles and details of the light fixtures!! The mural room is quite intriguing which is located on the second floor. This location not to be missed if you are in the area! read more

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This place was absolutely gorgeous! We went to apply for our marriage license and I never expected to end up at a place as gorgeous as it was. It is a Spanish styled building with beautiful views all around the place. There were so many brides actually getting married there. They were outside taking pictures and sharing their special day with their families and friends. We parked accross the street it wasn't hard to walk out there and we had two hours. The inside of the building was epic! Our clerk was kind... she was a bit serious but we got her to laugh every now and again. I think she was observing us making sure we were legit lol. I had never heard of this place but it is known worldwide as the most beautiful court in the world and now I know why! Our love for the ocean is deep and this place was right around the corner from the big blue! If u r getting married... you might consider this place! read more

Santa Barbara County Courthouse - Walking around the courthouse! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We've enjoyed photographing elopements at the courthouse for many years now. It's a breathtaking backdrop in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. www.BurgundyBlue.com read more

Santa Barbara County Courthouse - https://www.burgundyblue.com/blog/2020/3/9/ahh-the-santa-barbara-county-courthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Absolute must see while in SB. This site is so beautiful with amazing architecture and views. It's like taking a step back in time. Thoroughly enjoyed our time there!! read more

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Santa Barbara Courthouse is such a beauty!! My husband and I got married at the Santa Barbara courthouse and we are so happy with our decision. My husband and I did not want a big traditional wedding. We wanted something small, intimate and with a beautiful backdrop. The Santa Barbara Courthouse checked all of our boxes. Booking the ceremony was fast and easy online. On the day of our ceremony we brought in any necessary paperwork/identification, waited for our photographer and outside was held our ceremony. Shout out to the county clerk that married us, David! He was great and made our experience much memorable. If you are debating on getting married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse, don't!! Just do it! read more

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I was here in attendance to a wedding. Me and a few guests needed to use the restroom. We saw a security/cop. She was in conversation so i politely said excuse me to get her attention. She looked at me so I continued to ask. She then rudely said "first you passed two signs walking here, second I'm talking to someone" so I said "okay" and went to go tell the group. She then continued to say "excuse me, excuse me turn around" and continued to answer rudely. I understand the frustration of her talking to someone but a simple question. The power trip because a uniform is on is plain disrespectful. She was working March 8th at 11. Didn't get her name but make sure to give her a reality check. read more

This place is one of my favorite buildings in Santa Barbara and (why not?) in California. The Spanish style of architecture is breathtaking, the lawn is spotless, the vegetation is lush, and the views from the top are amazing. You can go up to the rooftop daily till 5 pm. It's something you need to do if you visit Santa Barbara. Also, check the first level, the decorations, the paintings, the cool Moorish style balconies and chandeliers. This place is one of the kind. There are nice restrooms inside, it's free to visit and an elevator will take up to the terrace to see great views of the ocean and of the City. This place has good energy, sometimes there are events on the lawn, a nice wedding, a festival, a zombie dance around Halloween, an outdoor screening in the summer or just a cool guy playing flamenco at his guitar, because... The building reminds me of Spain and each time I visit Santa Barbara, I always stop by. This place never ceases to amaze me with its beauty! read more

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Such a beautiful piece of architecture in Santa Barbara. I think it warrants a must-visit if you are in SB. The Spanish Colonial Revival style is so prevalent in the city, but the courthouse is the paragon of all the buildings here. The main facade of the main entrance is absolutely stunning and monumental. The surrounding area has lush gardens to stroll through and a large grassy area that is perfect for afternoon naps, picnics with friends, and scenic backdrops. I saw a lot of people stopping by to enjoy the sunshine after work hours or sitting in the grass to enjoy a quick lunch. A wedding photo shoot was going on nearby. There's some free parking around the area. However, tours and access inside the courthouse is currently unavailable due to the pandemic. read more

Prettiest courthouse I've ever visited- with daily free tours at 2pm, it's worth a stop! Shout out to my fellow history addicts The architecture of the building is the traditional Santa Barbara, Spanish mission style. The white stucco walls, the tiled roofs, the large rafters. The building is a walk in history. It's very outdoor indoor style, with the spiral staircases that looks immediately out onto the lawn and garden below being completely open to the air, not enclosed. Although we missed the daily tour, we still enjoyed walking the site. The large paintings and adhered tiles are beautiful works of art. We also took the stairs up to the clock tower which was such an interesting room to view. The mechanics and craftsmanship is readily apparent behind the glass. Panoramic views await you at the top- you can see the majestic riviera, meandering homes up the Santa Barbara mountains & the ocean in the distance. The tiled roofs below reminded us of an Italian overlook, reminiscent of Florence or Rome almost, just modern. Even on our cloudy visit it was worth the stop in. read more

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This review, like most, is for the striking architecture and manicured grounds of the courthouse complex. I'd heard for years about the sunken gardens interior, site of many weddings. Last weekend we were visiting nearby historic sites. Seeing that it was only a few blocks away, I suggested that we walk over. We came in via Santa Barbara Street, strolling over lush grass. Moving into the extensive sunken area, I could see the appeal to bridal couples. The intriguing architecture against a blue sky must make for amazing photos. Given how precious fresh water resources are today, I'm surprised that some of the massive lawn areas haven't been converted to native plantings, saving some water for the impressive fountain out front. The fountain is currently dry, for want of a better balance of choices on available water. We walked around 3 sides of the complex, finding each to sport unique facades. All are grand and photogenic. One day I hope to return and see the view from the stately clocktower. Checked another landmark off the to-be-explored list! read more

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Saw some social media posts about being this being the most beautiful courthouse, and I'd have to agree. Very interesting, and once you go through security, it's free to walk around and go up to the tower for a view, as well as the mural room and hallways and such. Certainly worth a few minutes diversion, and if you're in the area and getting married, I wouldn't blame you one bit for selecting here. read more

Spectacular views of the mountains and the coast from the Santa Barbara Courthouse & Clock Tower. Climb the Clock Tower to see the 18th century clock and take in breathtaking panoramic views of downtown Santa Barbara with wide mountain vistas and low hanging clouds. read more

The best place to have a courthouse wedding! The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. The ceremony is intimate and beautiful. Would absolutely recommend having your civil ceremony here! Thank you Conn for marrying us and recommending all the best spots around the courthouse to take pictures! Couldn't have asked for a better experience. read more

Santa Barbara County Courthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The courthouse is located a block or two off State Street and is a nice pitstop if you're walking around downtown. The courthouse grounds are a must-see -- they're very picturesque and you just need 10 minutes or less to take a lap around it and snap some pictures. If you happen to be around at 10:30 or 2, I highly recommend doing the hour-long tour. You'll get to see the inside and outside of the courthouse and learn its history. The tour is free and you don't need to make reservations-- just head up to the Mural Room on the 2nd Floor. read more

"Sir, please tell the jury what you witnessed on the eve of the event" "I saw people. Happy people using this courthouse for their phones and their instagrams. A sight to behold indeed sir" I attended a wedding here in the spring, the weather was great and the venue is unique and cute. The outside especially has some beautiful gardens and architecture for wedding photos and backdrops. It's also walking distance from other points in santa barbara. read more

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What an extraordinarily beautiful building. The architecture for this courthouse is unbelievable. So many intricate carvings! The ceilings were beautiful! Then going up to the tower - what a view indeed. Stairs, stairs and stairs - then the surprise and reward of a splendid view of Santa Barbara from the top. This is a must for everyone - it is worth your time. read more

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Brilliant view of the whole area, from the mountains to the ocean, once you climb up (or take the elevator up) to the top of the Courthouse. One floor down you'll find what looks like a fascinating floor devoted to the clock (unfortunately, it was closed on our visit). Murals throughout the main floor (in both the hallways and the chapel) are nice, though the subjects frequently involve the Spanish conquest of the native Americans. read more

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This is a surprise... I work in politics so I spend a LOT of time in Courthouses and I don't generally find them places I want to visit on my free time. But this one is actually pretty interesting. Well worth a stop if you're doing a Santa Barbara trip. The views from the tower are spectacular. And some of the stained glass and light fixtures are awe inspiring. We didn't make it in time for the tour but turns out a talk was being given in one of the court rooms about the history of the building. Spend 15 or 20 minutes listening to this... it's fascinating. And if you show up when they give the free tour, bonus! The fountain outside is gorgeous. Lots of folks want to get married here so no matter when you show up you're likely to encounter a bride or two. It's a romantic place... I admit.... we did a little kissing here. It somehow gets you in the mood... I'm all about Frank Gehry and modern design, but this structure is definitely something to see. I dare say it might even be a good start to a romantic dinner somewhere nearby... read more

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During our short stay in Santa Barbara, my wife and I had wandered by the enormous and beautiful courthouse building several times, always stopping to admire the architecture. Then a local mentioned we could actually walk the grounds and go inside, so we made a beeline here the next morning. The highlight was the clock tower section, with beautiful mural rooms, the clock & bell mechanism itself, and fantastic views at the top. I was pretty much snapping photos the entire time. Note: this is an operating building, with occupied offices and active courtrooms, but stay-out zones were well-marked and we were able to wander and explore pretty freely. It made for a wonderful morning adventure. read more

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Located in beautiful downtown Santa Barbara, the courthouse is truly an amazing place to visit with its Mediterranean style architecture. Beautiful artwork and tilework deck the floors, walls and halls of this still functioning courthouse. As beautiful as the view is from ground level be sure to take the elevator up to the clock tower to get a birds eye view of courtyard, the sunken garden, as well as gorgeous panoramic views of all of Santa Barbara. read more

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My good friend was providing us a tour of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse which is located at 1100 Anacapa Street, in downtown Santa Barbara. If you are a lover of architecture, this Spanish Colonial Revival style building is quite an enjoyable visit. I always was in great belief that Greeks had a hand in some way in almost every new architecture structure that exists and they definitely did with this structure. The new building replaced a smaller Greek revival courthouse at one time long ago. We visited the clock tower, which has many views from all directions. The clock tower mechanics some levels below was surely quite impressive engineering. I also enjoyed reading the history painted on the walls in the beautifully architected main court room. This is an active court house to this day and it is surely worth the visit and especially for those love creative architecture. read more

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While this is an active courthouse, most people set foot inside or on the grounds because it is so pretty. Very well manicured grounds, lots of green grass and foliage, not to mention the courthouse itself, make this one of the major tourist attractions of Santa Barbara. We came here on a Saturday, and while the building was open, obviously court was not in session, and we couldn't see inside the courtrooms. We came too late for the 2pm tour, so we just walked around on our own. read more

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Beautiful view of the city of SB when you go all the way to the top! It's free, and it's a couple flights of stairs where you'll see a clock tower on your way up. It closes at 4:45 though so make sure to get there in time! read more

Santa Barbara County Courthouse - At the top! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This court house is amazing! Just wow! The garden is big and full of flowers. You can married here ok. Hahaha Also, the interior and the designs are amazing. It doesn't even look like a court house to me. Go to the top of this court house where the bell is and the big clock and you will see a nice view of Santa Barbara. P.s. The parking is not bad. Street parking is 90mins read more

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The courthouse is a wonderful place to get married!!! My husband and I said our vows here in November 2013 and had the best time. We inquired about the Mural Room in September (we planned our wedding pretty quickly) and were able to reserve it for a few hours on a Saturday morning in Nov. Judge Brian Hill married us and he was absolutely everything we hoped for- funny, engaging, wonderful at vows (we were not up to writing our own!) and he got everyone all teary eyed several times. We highly recommend him- he is a judge at the courthouse and was very sweet; my entire family loved talking with him. I could not have asked for a better experience. Linda Van der Wyk helped me book the room and was very kind over the phone. She explained that there was no Plan B if it was raining which is why we chose the gorgeous historic Mural Room instead of the outdoor gardens (also beautiful!). Our guests were mostly from LA and the east coast.. east coasters were especially amazed by this historic building. There's nothing like the SB Courthouse over in NJ, CT, or NYC.. ;) The best part.. the price. We paid well under $300 to rent the room for the allotted time. Our photographer got amazing shots in the Mural Room and in the gardens after our ceremony. Guests loved visiting the tower at the top too! Highly recommend this place for a headache free experience and wonderful wedding day. read more

Santa Barbara County Courthouse - Mural room - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I'm willing to bet that most people have an overall negative connotation of courthouses. It's one that is associated with jury duty, being sued, divorce proceedings, etc. Therefore, unless you've been rewarded in a courtroom in some way; it isn't your idea of a relaxing, beautiful, almost-vacation like spot. Well, think again because the Santa Barbara Courthouse will crush all of those preconceived notions! The Santa Barbara Courthouse is an architectural wonder which can't be missed when in the downtown area. The lumbering, tall structure with fountains, a bell tower, palm trees, and green grass will make you feel that you are at some Spanish resort. Oddly enough, there is an instant striking feeling of calm and serenity (not one you expect at such a place!). The Courthouse offers FREE tours and let me just say: this is highly recommend! Upon entering, there is much to see and behold at the Courthouse and all of it is breathtaking. The corridors dazzle the eyes with archways, winding staircases, high ceilings, wooden beams, tiles, and Spanish (almost Moroccan) details and are perfect for photo-taking. One can visit the actual courtroom which combines elements of an art museum (with beautiful wood and murals) with an antique courtroom. It is awe-inspiring. If that isn't enough for you, take the elevator or steps to visit the clock and the Bell Tower. You don't have to be the Hunchback to appreciate the jaw-dropping views from a bird's eye. One can see all of Santa Barbara, the mountains, and even the ocean. It seriously feels like you are on vacation in Europe or something. There is NO reason to pass up the opportunity to take photos which will look straight off of a post card. Warning though, it is very crowded up there with all of the tourists jostling for photos so definitely have some patience and time-management skills as the deck closes earlier than the courthouse. Once you've gotten your fill of the sky; head down to the gardens where birds chirp, trees provide shade, and the soft, greener-than-a-crayon grass will calm your mind. Also interesting are the views of historic parts of the building such as the solitary confinement rooms of the old jail from the 1920s. The Courthouse is nothing short of a beautiful gem (ask the staff about ghost stories!). To be noted is the great customer service (at least during my visit). The woman manning the Help Desk was kind, peppy, and answered any questions we had. There were also various younger (college-aged and most likely students at UCSB) walking around as curators throughout the building who were clearly more apt at socializing with each other and didn't really care to provide service but because of this; they left us alone to venture by ourselves and I would rather have it that way anyway. I could rave about this place forever but the point is that the Courthouse is gorgeous, peaceful, provides amazing views of Santa Barbara and is FREE! You really can't beat that either for a special occasion (my visit was on my 30th birthday) or just a casual day in Santa Barbara. So although you may cringe at the thought of a courthouse; make sure to visit this wondrous spot when in town. read more

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The Courthouse has one of the best views of Santa Barbara. The outside of it is so beautiful and has a huge grassy lawn on which is perfect for picnics. The day we went there was a huge wedding going on. There is a lot of history and there are many floors to it. It's actually still functioning as an actual courthouse as well. Every hour the clock still rings. There is also someone also down in the section where the mechanics of the clock are. They are there to explain everything and how it all works. Once you past this section you will be on the observation deck. This deck provides some of the most incredible views of Santa Barbara. You can see everything from here. Sometimes you can even see the Channel Islands! Even as a local I come here sometimes just to relax and remind myself that I live in such a beautiful place! read more

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I love this place! Luckily, I've never been here on business :) I believe it's one of the most beautiful places in Santa Barbara. -The garden area is wonderful. A great place to relax and lounge for an hour or so. -Parts of the building are open to the public, you can take a walk around and enjoy the beautiful building. -The view from the tower is probably one of the best views in the city. A "high tower" with 360 degree views of the city. I highly recommend spending an hour or two here if you visit Santa Barbara. read more

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Gorgeous historic facilities in Santa Barbara! So nice that they allow visitors to wander the echoey halls at leisure to enjoy to architecture, artwork, and the placards throughout that explained the historical significance of the various pieces and spots in and around the buildings. Take the stairs up to the clock tower. The spectacular views from up there are well worth the exercise! We enjoyed the visit, but I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a tour or docent around to answer questions for our group. read more

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The drive from Ventura here is about 40 mins with light traffic on the 101N. Things you want to know about the courthouse: 1. Free!! Yes people, it is free. We are lucky to have this hidden gem in the heart of SB 2. Parking is free too if you can find street parking for 75 min or the parking lot across the courthouse. 3. Closes around 4:30/5 pm everyday so make sure you make it here before they lock the doors 4. Pet friendly! My pup loved it up there 5. Lastly and most importantly, 360 degree view of Santa Barbara! The view is just fantastic from the clock tower read more

Santa Barbara County Courthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We came in Sept 2016 to visit the grounds and the tower for some great sight-seeing. The views from the top are gorgeous and great for photographs. The grounds were nicely maintained and wedding ceremonies happen here all the time (in the mural room). In fact, they had a wedding going on when we were there that wknd! You can only pop your head into the mural room when there is a wedding ceremony, but everything else is open to the public. read more

Well, I guess this might make going to court a bit easier, for work, jury duty, any worse and you might not appreciate it quite as much. Beautiful, everywhere you look it is amazing, the views stunning, Santa Barbara is magical and the courthouse a must see while visiting. read more

Santa Barbara County Courthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I went on a beautiful self guided tour of the courthouse. On a Sunday afternoon, there was a wedding and quite a few personal photography sessions, in addition to tourists strolling throughout the property. The building is beautiful, with lots of ornate wrought iron, murals, concrete carvings and painted tile inside and out. The gardens are well manicured and the lawn is a great place to sit and relax. There are stairs and an elevator to go into the tower for a 360 view of Santa Barbara, including the ocean, mountains and other old buildings. There are maps which help you locate points of historical interest in the town below. As far as accommodations, we parked on the street and walked less than a block. The building has ac and bathrooms. There is a visitor center where you can get more information, purchase postcards, or sign up for a guided tour. read more

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Somehow tourists visit "America's Riviera" (our lovely town of Santa Barbara) without visiting one of its most well-known landmarks, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. How this is possible, I just can't quite put my finger on it! So I have decided to give it a shout out to hopefully bring it to the top of the Yelp search list when searching: "Must See" / "Tourists Must See List" / "Must See Places" / "Local Flavor" / "Sightseeing"...and beyond. Instead of a long-winded review about the in's and out's of this historical landmark, I'll refer to my fellow Yelper's 240+ reviews and focus on some tips and facts for your visit: - Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am-5 pm and weekends 10 am-4:30 pm. If you happen to be available for an informative tour, they are FREE and start in the second-floor Mural Room daily at 2 pm on the dot, and Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 am. Inside the main arched entrance, there is always a docent available for questions. - An important place to begin my "Yelp tour" is with parking. Parking is plentiful and free for 75 minutes in the nearby city parking garage/lot #7 (1115 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101) or all around the rectangular city block of the building. - If the county is not in a drought, stop at the main entrance off of Anacapa Street to see the beautiful fountain. The main archway also has the Spanish inscription of "Dios nos dio los campos. El arte humana edificó ciudades." which translates to "God gave us the fields. Human art built cities." There is a detail topographic map of the Central Coast valleys that make it credible how Santa Barbara is one of the only places where the Pacific Ocean is actually directionally due south versus due west. - The Courthouse was designed and built in the Spanish-Colonial style and completed in 1929. It remains purposefully the tallest building in downtown Santa Barbara at a whopping 4 stories. While this does not seem very tall to those of us who grew up in cities, it does offer amazing views from its four-sided clock tower known as "El Mirador." The free viewing deck does close a tad earlier at 4:45 pm but allows 360-degree swooping views of the Pacific Ocean with almost all the Channel Islands, Santa Ynez Mountains, downtown theaters, Stearns wharf and the famous Santa Barbara Mission in the distance. - For a short history lesson, this courthouse is fairly new since the original sat on the same lot from 1872 to 1888 but was destroyed in the 1925 earthquake; the exact location is where the Sunken Gardens now resides. The current courthouse is 150,000 square feet in size and has four wings, one of which is a Jail Wing that no longer holds prisoners. - On the third "story" there is the Bisno Schall Clock Gallery with visibility of the clock mechanism which was installed in 1929 and is still functioning. Few know but the ceiling features the exact constellations from the night sky using fiber optic lights from when Santa Barbara was named in 1602. - The second level has the "cherry on top," the Mural Room. While it used to be the actual courtroom (which is now behind it), this room has gorgeous handpainted murals that walk you through the history of Santa Barbara starting with the Canaliño/Chumash native tribe. The curtains and pews are original too. - Walk down the hallways to see how the arches, shapes, designs, tiles and decor are purposefully not uniform in order to carry on a Moorish-style. On the first level, there is an memorial flag made of various firehoses for those who assisted in the destructive Thomas Fire and Montecito mudslides. Nearby, there is an old payphone that still functions and a spiral staircase with the seal of the Native Sons of the Golden West from 1929. - Head outside from the back entrance toward Santa Barbara Street to see the time capsule, massive castle-like doors, and neat dragon stances. After all this walking, relax by laying down in the Sunken Garden which has beautiful palm trees and plants from more than 25 countries! - If you fell in love with the building, you can always rent out the Sunken Gardens for your wedding, quinceñera or other events. In the summer they have free public outdoor movies on the lawn too. Otherwise, if you are visiting and want to take home a memoir, they sell postcards and historical brochures on the main floor at the entrance. Tips are always welcome to assist with necessary restorations. Please enjoy our beautiful beach town of Santa Barbara and please support small businesses along downtown State Street! read more

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I came while waiting for folks to get ready based on a recommendation. This place is gorgeous! I loved all the architecture and art. I wished I had the foresight to hang out around the clock tower room to see the bells go off. I felt like I was in a Spanish Mission-style Hogwarts. Totally worth checking out! read more

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Came early hoping it'll be open. Stayed till 10:30am and still was closed. Sad but ended up enjoying the outdoor. Came early and dodged the crowd. Clock tower was shut down due to construction ...BUMMER! read more

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Our wedding day was perfect. We eloped this past weekend and everything was so easy. We made our appointment online, filled out our license application and showed up ready to start our new life together. Our officant made us feel special and our ceremony had us in tears. The grounds are amazing. I didn't know we would be allowed to walk around freely afterwards, I wish I had researched better. I paid to to photos at another location after the wedding but we didn't go. My feet were done after our photo shoot at the courthouse. (Check out the pic in flip flops) Anyone thinking about getting married here, DO IT! read more

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Just came back from a visit to Santa Barbara, and they're doing a lot of construction on the Anacapa side. They must be doing some major gardening. And a little history about the building (esp. for Steph C.): The courthouse is modeled after the Andalusian castles of Spain. The original building was Greek-inspired, with columns for a more authoritative look. An earthquake destroyed it, so the city decided to make it the way it is to not only blend with the rest of the city's architecture, but to also embrace its Spanish heritage. So it's not ridiculous at all. This building is so beautiful, it's no surprise that many have their weddings held there. I've even seen a small ceremony done at the clock tower. Now that's romantic! read more