Tour the Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Introduction to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse

While visiting a courthouse on vacation might sound unusual, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is not your typical government building. A National Historic Landmark, the courthouse is a beautiful example of the Spanish-Moorish architecture that is found across the city.

Completed in 1929, the complex impresses visitors with its intricate tile mosaics, graceful arches, painted murals, and jaw-dropping views of the city and ocean. The lush and colorful gardens are particularly exquisite, and are a major reason why many couples choose it as their wedding ceremony site. You’re likely to see one or several couples tying the knot – even Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker married here.

Exploring the Bisno Schall Clock Gallery

Make sure to visit the four-faced clock tower in the Bisno Schall Clock Gallery, which remains operational. To reach it, you’ll climb an ornately-tiled staircase leading to a mural room, before ending up in the clock gallery. Along the way, don’t forget to look up—the ceiling is just as richly decorated as the walls with a gorgeous design inspired by a 14th-century synagogue in Spain.

What to Expect Inside

Inside the clock tower, you can learn about the history of clockmaking, climb to the rooftop to enjoy views of Santa Barbara, or, if you time your visit correctly, you’ll be able to actually view the mechanism that creates the sounding of the chimes each hour.

Visiting Hours

The clock tower is open to the public free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis during regular hours. The schedule is:

• Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Guided Tours and Further Information

For a deeper dive into the courthouse and Santa Barbara's history, consider joining a docent-led tour. These tours take place Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m., except for holidays.

For more details, visit the courthouse visitor website.