Paseo de la Guerra

Paseo de la Guerra is a Spanish Colonial Revival building complex in downtown Santa Barbara featuring multiple connected structures with stucco walls, red tile roofs, and decorative ironwork. The heart of the site is an open courtyard around which shops, galleries, and offices are arranged.

Construction of the Casa de la Guerra began in 1826 as the residence of Commandant José de la Guerra y Noriega, who led the local military settlement. The complex was later expanded and transformed in the mid-1900s to include shops and public spaces while preserving its original character.

The name comes from the Guerra family, who held power in Santa Barbara for generations and left their mark on the town's identity. You can walk through the courtyard today and see how local artisans and shop owners continue to work in these spaces.

You can explore the open courtyard during the day and visit the various shops and art galleries located throughout the complex. The location is central within the historic downtown area and is easily accessible on foot when you are visiting Santa Barbara's older neighborhoods.

This complex serves as an architectural model for the historic district, with local building codes requiring new construction to follow its design principles. This long-standing regulation has helped maintain visual consistency across the entire downtown area.

Location: Santa Barbara County

Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 34.42010,-119.70000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:02