The best way to explore a city is by making friends with the locals, but what if you are an introvert like me who can’t make friends quickly enough? You go on a tour with a local guide! So when ToursByLocals reached out to me for a collaboration, I jumped on the opportunity. The tour I chose was the Historical/Architectural Tour of Santa Barbara, California. It was guided by Meredith, a Santa Barbara local. She is very knowledgeable, easy-going, funny, and involved with the city.

Meredith took us around Santa Barbara and explained a lot about the city. I finally found out why all the buildings in the downtown area are all built in the Spanish Colonial styles. And learned about the frog wall; Sen and I will be bringing a couple of frogs to add to this collection the next time we are in Santa Barbara.

Here are some images I took during our tour, along with descriptions:

The tour started with an overview of the history and a literal view of Santa Barbara (from Franceschi Park at the Riviera.

The Montarioso Mansion in Franceschi Park, the city has plans to revamp the mansion.

Some frogs at the frog wall at the Riviera, Santa Barbara.

Our next stop was the Mission of Santa Barbara, learned where the name Santa Barbara came about. There is a saint named for every day of the year. Saint Santa Barbara’s day is on December 4th, and Santa Barbara was founded on December 4th, 1786.

The entrance of Santa Barbara Courthouse, the building, is to resemble a castle!

Do you know what the building in this photo was used for?

It was used as the city jail! It is now used as the sheriff's office.

Sen and I have been to Santa Barbara a few times before but never really learned about it. On this tour with Meredith, I realized that a tour is not something that should make you feel like you've done it all in that city. It's supposed to make you want to stay longer and do more.

Ideally, you want someone who loves and is excited about the city to take you on tour the first time you are there. So you appreciate and have stronger feelings towards the city when you explore it on your own; Meredith from ToursByLocals had done that for us. She also offers winery, wine tasting, biking, and hiking tours. So definitely check her out next time you are heading to Santa Barabra via ToursByLocals. We are planning to take more tours from now on.

I'm a travel blogger, and photographer, recently moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma from Los Angeles, California with my husband Sen, our cat Shadow, and dog Lumi.

Our current mission is to road trip and eat around the USA.

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