Subscriber Comments for
Downtown Walk

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 134580	2011-01-08 09:48 AM
The Santa Barbara Public Library is actually at the corner of ANAPAMU St. and Anacapa St. La Arcada is in the interior of the block bounded by Anacapa, Anapamu, State and Figueroa. You can enter from any of those streets, but it is most straightforward from State or Figueroa.
COMMENT 134656	2011-01-08 02:43 PM
The Presidio as you see it today is a recent fabrication, done in the last 20 years. Prior to that, only original foundation stones remained underground, with thriving modern businesses sitting on the ground above those. The powers that be in the SB Trust for Historic Preservation decided it was OK to up-end life as we knew it in that part of town, evicted those in the line of fire, and demolished the perfectly good buildings only so someone's historic agenda could be realized. The current building was based on a sketch by artist Russel Ruiz, and not much more. I'm not sure if he ever saw the original. The building and grounds are nice to view in their present condition, but we must remember that it came about with much anger in the community because of what they tore down to make this "Disney-ish" reconstruction happen. To me, this unwanted destruction is an integral part of what is there now... a price was paid by the community that should not be forgotten.
COMMENT 134678	2011-01-08 05:01 PM
I agree with 656, the original Playa Azul was so cozy. It's just a memory.
COMMENT 134695	2011-01-08 06:46 PM
I wholeheartedly agree with 656 and I, too, remember! I think there should be a plaque commemorating the structures that once were part of that area. I also remember talk of buying the buildings across the street, including the Post Office, and demolishing those. Let's hope THAT doesn't happen.
AQUAHOLIC	2011-01-08 07:01 PM
The original Playa Azul will always be a special memory for me and my mate...this was the scene of our first date. It was such a romantic spot for a Mexican food restaurant! I loved that they had a single taper candle and tablecloths on each table. It felt like dining in someone's home.
COMMENT 134732	2011-01-09 07:45 AM
It's too bad we can't also celebrate just as enthusiastically architecture from the late 1800's and early 1900's (and other periods), rather than just one period of history and recreations of that time. Understood that a lot of it was destroyed in the earthquake. Also understood that this was a walking tour of one area. But in general, someday, maybe we can move on from the Pearl Chase dogma and grow up and appreciate more than one style of architecture and let various and new styles complement the city.
EL BARBARENO	2011-01-09 08:27 AM
A very nice article and tour for locals as well as toursits! However...there are only two pieces of the original presidio. "El Cuartel," the little adobe between Jimmy's and the Post Office and the Caneda adobe a small piece of the newly constructed section across the street. Thus, age-wise, the presidio chapel is no more historic than Paseo Nuevo (and the chapel's bell tower is a complete fantasy). I do feel that the Trust has done a great job of giving us an idea of what the presidio looked like and a peek into the Spanish settler's life here. It is well worth a visit. It is unfortunate that the El Paseo which was "the blueprint" for the new Santa Barbara has degenerated from a wonderful arcade of shops and restaurants to a financial complex all completely due to the Trust's incompetence and mismanagement of anything older than their late 20th century adobe recreation.
BOOKSALELADY	2011-01-09 09:27 AM
People interested in the history and architecture of Santa Barbara might want to know that the Architectural Foundation of SB has walking tours every Saturday and Sunday from 10-12. The Saturday tour begins on the steps of City Hall and covers the downtown area. The Sunday tour begins in front of the central library and covers pre- and post-earthquake buildings. The tours cost $10 per person. You don't need to sign up ahead of time--just show up.
COMMENT 134839	2011-01-09 02:02 PM
BOOKSALELADY - thank you! This, to me, is Edhat at it's finest. Connecting community info with a community in a timely fashion. I'm sure someone has posted pictures to Edhat with a write-up about going on one of those walks in recent months. My recollection of reading that/those was "bummer I missed it". My radar wasn't set then to walking. It's one of my 2011 new-self ideas to walk SB neighborhoods more. So now walking IS on my radar, and today I've read this thread and the other (with their accompanying map), and because of you posting I've learned the Architecture walks are every Sat and Sun and I just show up. I will do so. Many thanks again.

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