Our Centennial
Celebration
A Century of Architecture, Art, and Community
100 Years on State Street
Since 1926, La Arcada Plaza has shaped the character of downtown Santa Barbara. Designed by renowned architect Myron Hunt during the rise of the Spanish Colonial Revival movement, the courtyard was conceived as an intimate marketplace—an architectural gathering place where commerce, culture, and community meet beneath open skies.
Historic photo of La Arcada Plaza on State Street Santa Barbara
Constructed at a defining moment in the city’s architectural history, La Arcada reflects the craftsmanship and proportion that anchor Santa Barbara’s built identity. Its tiled walkways, arcades, fountains, and ironwork remain intact—not as relics, but as living design within a working courtyard.
Over the decades, the plaza has evolved into a cultural touchstone within the Santa Barbara Arts District. Sculptural works by J. Seward Johnson, George Lundeen, Bonifatius Stirnberg, and Santa Barbara artist Bud Bottoms animate the space, reinforcing its role as both public gallery and civic gathering ground.
Above the courtyard, professional offices continue the original mixed-use vision—integrating retail, galleries, dining, and business within a cohesive architectural environment that has endured for a century.
Under the stewardship of current ownership, La Arcada Plaza continues to be preserved and thoughtfully maintained, honoring its architectural heritage while supporting the evolving needs of Santa Barbara’s Arts District.
As La Arcada marks its centennial, it stands as both historic landmark and active civic space—rooted in tradition, strengthened by art, and continually renewed for future generations.
La Arcada Plaza
1114 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-6634