The Granada Theatre

The Granada Theatre rises eight stories above State Street, topped by a tall, illuminated sign that glows red against the Santa Barbara skyline. Built in nineteen twenty-four, it served as the tallest building in the city for decades. When the massive nineteen twenty-five earthquake hit, the steel-framed structure stayed standing while surrounding masonry crumbled. Local architect Russell Ray and developer Charles Urton saw their work endure the tremors, and today it remains the primary home for the Santa Barbara Symphony and Opera.