El Presidio

Visit a Spanish military fortress in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.

The El Presidio fortress in Santa Barbara is the last of 4 fortresses built by the Spanish during their occupation of Alta California (1769 to 1821). The other three fortresses were in San Diego, San Francisco and Monterey.

Set aside 2 hours to explore this entire fortress, including two original buildings from the 1700's.

The first is the El Canedo Adobe (1782) which now houses the Visitor Center. The second is El Cuartel Adobe (1782) across the road from the rest of the Presidio on Santa Barbara Street.  

Some reconstructed buildings to visit at the Presidio are the Padre's Quarters, Comandante's Quarters, and Presidio Chapel.

Check tickets & hours.

5 best things to do at El Presidio

1. El Presidio Visitor Center (El Canedo Adobe).

The Visitor Center is in the Canedo Adobe (1782) on E Canon Perdido Street. It has historic exhibits on the Presidio, a gift shop, and visitor map.

The Canedo Adobe is the third oldest building in California, and originally housed a Presidio solder, Jose Maria Canedo. Today it's only one of two original buildings left at the Presidio.

2. Presidio Chapel.

The original Presidio Chapel was built in 1872 to provide church services for the Spanish army. It was destroyed in the 1857 earthquake, then a replica was rebuilt in the 1980s.  The highlight is the stunning altar with religious statues. Some of Santa Barbara's earliest citizens were buried beneath the chapel floor, but their remains were exhumed and relocated when the chapel was rebuilt.

Today the Presidio Chapel is available to rent for weddings and other community activities.

3. Padre's Quarters.

The reconstructed priest's residence is adjacent to the church, and known as the Padre's Quarters. Peer inside a simple room, with a bed, writing table and cross on the wall. A statue of King Carlos III stands directly outside. He was king of Spain when the Presidio was constructed.

4. Comandancia

The Comandancia is where the Presidio's Commandant lived. Today you can see a reconstructed living room and study. The red tiled floors conveyed more status than the dirt floors of the Padre's Quarters.

The viaduct is visible here, inside the defense wall. 

5. El Cuartel 

El Cuartel (1872) is across Santa Barbara Street, and is one of only two original structures at the Presidio. It's also the second oldest building in California. This adobe was used as a family residence for a soldier guarding the western gate of the Presidio. Today you can see a working loom inside.