The Presidio, built in the 1780s, was one four Spanish military outposts the along the coast of Alta California. Its role was to protect the missions and settlers, provided a seat of
government, and guarded the country against foreign invasion. The presidio was built by the local Chumash tribe - not completely willingly - of abode bricks on a sandstone foundation.
Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 and the presidio was abandoned. After the Mexican American War in the 1840s, the US took over vast amounts of western land in what is now California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. In the decades that followed, the growth of Santa Barbara and earthquakes destroyed most of the presidio. By the twentieth century only two portions of the original structure remained.
In 1963 the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation was formed to protect what was left of the presidio. Archeologists and volunteers began excavations and reconstructions which are ongoing. The site is managed jointly by the Trust and the state.
We were surprised by the amount of work that appeared to be left uncompleted for months or even years. The reconstructed chapel is well done as are the commander's quarters and the exhibits in the family quarters on the east side of Santa Barbara Street. The rest is a bit of shambles.
RVs cannot be parked on the streets in Santa Barbara so we parked in the designated RV spaces in the Garden Street lot and walked/rolled to the presidio on State Street. State Street is a entertainment and retail district with 10 blocks closed to traffic. All of the curb cuts are very good and the business have accessible entrances. Once off State Street the curb cuts are steep. Since the presidio is a couple of blocks east of state street, wheelchair uses may need assistance. Presidio 34.42248, -119.69865
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