The Bonilla Family in 1906 in front of their house (built in 1887)
ABOUT THE PRESIDIO
The Presidio Neighborhood is a community of businesses and organizations located within nine square blocks in the historic heart of Santa Barbara working together to foster community and enhance the cultural vitality of the area.
The district is managed by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) whose mission is to steward the past and present of the Presidio Neighborhood and inspire preservation advocacy throughout the County to create a more vibrant community.
The work is supported by the Presidio Neighborhood Advisory Council, an Affinity Group of SBTHP, which includes businesses across a range of specialties, including cultural nonprofits, wine tasting rooms, restaurants, retail, wellness, and more.
A MULTI-CULTURAL HISTORY
The Presidio Neighborhood includes the area in and around the site of the Santa Barbara Presidio, the last of four fortresses built by Spain in 1782 to occupy the lands it claimed in Alta California. The first European structures in Santa Barbara, the adobe quadrangle was constructed on unceded Chumash land and covered portions of four blocks of what is now downtown Santa Barbara.
The fort was occupied by fifty soldiers and their families, most of whom were mixed-race people from what is now Northern Mexico. The City of Santa Barbara grew out from this military and legal center as soldiers retired and built their homes outside the walls.
Later the site of a Mexican Pueblo, Chinatown, Japantown, the Presidio Neighborhood has a diverse and culturally rich history that still characterizes it today.
The Presidio Neighborhood houses a density of local businesses, cultural organizations and museums, resulting in a destination that will please any visitor. Many businesses and organizations occupy stunning architectural landmarks representing the area’s rich history, in an inviting, pedestrian-scale setting. Many historic properties are included in the five-acre El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, at the center of the district, which is operated by SBTHP and open to the public. We invite you to explore this special place in the historic core of Santa Barbara’s downtown!
The Asakura hotel, c. 1914. Photo is courtesy of the Presidio Research Center, gift of Julie Asakura Schlagle.
MEMBERSHIP & SPONSORSHIP
Grow with your community. Presidio businesses and organizations that join as members get enhanced marketing, exclusive perks, and real support from the neighborhood. Annual dues, rolling basis — join whenever you're ready.
BASIC BENEFITS – FREE
Internal Presidio Neighborhood emails and Teams channel
Invites to mixers
Benefit from general Presidio Neighborhood marketing
SYCAMORE – $500
Basic benefits
Manzanita and Stone Pine benefits
Featured in print marketing materials
Instagram Reel produced in collaboration with you business
Reciprocal benefits to PN businesses for five members of your management/leadership team (participation in this benefit requires that the member provide reciprocal benefits)
Discounted tickets for your team to attend block parties as guests
MANZANITA – $100
Basic benefits
Presidio Neighborhood webpage and location on the website map
Post shares on Instagram and Facebook
Invites to participate in block parties (ticketed public events) as a venue
SYCAMORE PLUS – $750
Basic benefits
Manzanita, Stone and Sycamore benefits
Add five additional team members to reciprocal benefits for a total of 10.
STONE PINE: – $300
Basic
All Manzanita Benefits
Benefit from general Presidio Neighborhood marketing
Presidio Neighborhood window decal/digital logo
Annual Instagram/blog post/profile of your business
Copies of printed collateral materials to distribute
COAST LIVE OAK – $1,000
Basic
All Manzanita, Stone, and Sycamore Benefits
Onsite hosted anniversary party and digital promotion
Custom Web analytics for PresidioNeighborhood.com marketing impact on your business
First Year Special (2025/2026): custom architect’s watercolor sketch of your business by Harrison Design
PRESIDIO NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL
Robin Elander
Downtown Santa Barbara
Improvement Association
Kathryn Graham
The Cheese Shop
Niki Hight
Zaytoon Restaurant
Laura and Paul Hughes
Loubud Wine and Puzzles
Cecilia Martini-Muth
The Lobero Theatre
Andrea Steward
Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant
Nicole Wasserman
Au Bon Climat Winery
and Frequency Wines
Brent Wilson
Longoria Wines
STRATEGIC PLAN 2025-27
Our Strategic Plan for 2025-2027 sets the following goals:
Goal 1: Increase marketing efforts and public events to promote awareness of the Presidio Neighborhood to visitors and locals.
Goal 2: Cultivate a sense of community among Presidio Neighborhood businesses and organizations.
Goal 3: Advocate for shared interests among Presidio Neighborhood businesses to external entities including the City of Santa Barbara, media, destination management, and business organizations.
Read the full Strategic Plan 2025-27 (PDF).
Goal 4: Ensure the sustainability of the district’s effort through consistent planning, evaluation and attention to revenue streams
Contact us
For questions related to the Presidio Neighborhood, membership, or general inquiries, fill out the form and we’ll get back to you soon.