El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

Dating from 1782, this military compound is the only extant one of four that the Spanish built in the area. Locus of government and military activities, the presidio was in use until the mid-19th century. In 1963, an historic preservation group instituted efforts to preserve the complex, and now, many of its buildings have been restored or rebuilt on original foundations. The chapel is especially impressive, and El Cuartel (a guard family's living quarters) is California's second oldest building. A fascinating glimpse of early state history. El Presidio does not accept the Annual California State Parks pass.