La Arcada Plaza

La Arcada Plaza is recognizable by the Spanish Colonial Revival arches that stretch over the walkway, creating a shaded corridor between State Street and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Opened in nineteen twenty-six, it was the vision of architect Myron Hunt. During the nineteen thirties, the space hosted the popular studio of muralist John Gamble, whose paintings of local wildflowers helped define the region's artistic identity. The plaza remains a collection of small courtyards filled with hidden fountains, bronze statues, and quiet dining nooks.