Santa Barbara Amtrak Station
Schedule
Sat, 20 Dec, 2025 at 09:15 am
UTC-08:00Location
Amtrak Santa Barbara Train Station | Santa Barbara, CA
Advertisement
Join us for an urban sketching session at one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved historic landmarks, the Santa Barbara Amtrak Station.Built in 1902 (with the current Mission-Revival depot completed around 1905), the station was designed by local architect Francis W. Wilson. Its distinctive arcades, red-tile roof, and sweeping Mission-style details were chosen to fit the aesthetic then emerging in Southern California architecture.
For decades, the station served as a major portal for travelers arriving by rail, especially in an era when trains linked Santa Barbara with Los Angeles, San Francisco and beyond. The surrounding area grew with hotels and services to accommodate visitors, helping transform the city into the scenic, vibrant coastal destination it is today.
The original structure was lovingly restored in 2000, including upgrades to its interiors, but it retains all the grandeur of its early twentieth century design.
Whether you draw the grand façade, the arches and tile roof, or the gentle bustle of arriving/departing travelers — it’s a perfect place for capturing architecture, history, and everyday life.
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
Amtrak Santa Barbara Train Station, Santa Barbara, California, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
