Show
Building
A Show
Plants
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Welcome to the Self-Guided Exterior Tour. Press black button above to show or hide architectural highlights. Press green button for plant highlights.

Great Arch
Fountain
Geothermal Field
Clock Tower
Garden Arch
Rotunda
Fiesta Stage
Jail
Jail Entrance
Figueroa
Entrance
Hall of Records
Lawyers' Entrance
Landmark Plaque
i Courthouse Grass
Courthouse grass
  • Custom ‘Courthouse Blend’ is a special mix of Tall Fescue and Rye cool season grasses by local company Agri-Turf
  • Sustainably managed by using a mulching mower to return cut grass, enhance soil health and reduce green waste
i California Fan Palm
California Fan Palm
  • Only palm native to American southwest
  • Often found along desert streams below springs
  • Native Cahuilla tribe used seeds & fibers for food, clothing and roofing
  • Courthouse specimens are over 100 years old
i King Palm
King Palm (~30 surrounding block and on grounds)
  • Native to Queensland, Australia
  • Prolific seed producer
  • Fronds attached to trunk by large detachable crown-shaft (pod)
i Giant Yucca
Giant Yucca
  • Native to Mexico & Central America
  • Historically used for food, clothing, roofing & alcoholic beverages
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Giant Bird of Paradise
Giant Bird of Paradise
  • Native to South Africa
  • Flowers are perches for pollinating birds attracted by tasty sap
i Split-leaf Philodendron
Split-leaf Philodendron (aka "Elephant Ear")
  • Native to Brazil
  • Air roots may attach to nearby trees for support
i Saucer Magnolia
Saucer Magnolia
  • Native to China
  • Related to Southern Magnolia
  • Prolific blooms in early spring
  • Aromatic petals, pinkish-purple outside, white inside
i Kentia Palm
Kentia Palm (aka "Paradise Palm")
  • Native to tiny Lord Howe Island off Australian coast
  • Tall slender sinuous trunk
  • Very photogenic in plantings near walls of buildings
i Mexican Fan Palm
Mexican Fan Palm
  • Native to Northwest Mexico
  • Related to California fan palm with taller, narrower trunk
i Chilean Wine Palm
Chilean Wine Palm
  • Once nearly extinct in native Chile, now protected
  • Sap used historically to produce wine
i Coast Redwood
Coast Redwood
  • Native to California coastal fog belt from Monterey to S. Oregon
  • World's tallest tree, up to 379 ft.
  • Superior lumber tree for decks, fences and construction
  • Thick bark protects tree from fire & insect damage
  • Lives to 2500 years (Giant Sequoia 3500 years, Bristlecone pine 4000 years)
i Hong Kong Orchid
Hong Kong Orchid Tree
  • Native to South China
  • Not a true orchid -- flowers resemble cymbidium orchid blooms
  • Fixes nitrogen in soil (legume family)
i Franceschi  Palm
Franceschi Palm
  • Native to Mexico; possibly extinct there
  • Named for local botanist Francesco Franceschi, originally from Italy
  • Franceschi introduced ~200 new plant species to California, including this diminutive Brahea palm.
i Queen Palm
Queen Palm (~25 surrounding block and on grounds)
  • Native to Brazil and Argentina.
  • Fronds are attached directly to trunk, need to be pruned
  • Leaves & flower spikes used historically for cattle fodder
i Coral Tree
Coral Tree
  • Native to South Africa
  • Official city tree of Los Angeles
  • Bright red flowers attract birds
i Southern Magnolia
Southern Magnolia
  • Native to southeast U.S.
  • State tree & flower of Mississippi
  • Large, shiny, leathery leaves & huge aromatic white blooms
  • Excellent wood for furniture and veneers
i Bunya Bunya Tree
Bunya Bunya Tree
  • Native to Queensland, Australia
  • Huge cones up to 12 in. long and 10 lbs.
  • Courthouse tree is over 100 years old
i Norfolk Island Pine
Norfolk Island Pine (aka Star Pine)
  • Native to Norfolk Island off Australian coast
  • Symmetrical horizontal branches form star patterns
  • Historically used for wood carvings in Hawaii
i Canary Island Date Palm
Canary Island Date Palm
  • Native to Canary Islands off African Coast
  • Thick trunk and massive crown
  • Fruit not palatable
i Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea
  • Native to South America;
  • Courthouse variety is the San Diego Red;
  • Hardy and showy perennial
  • Blooms year-round
i Jelly Palm
Jelly Palm
  • Native to Brazil & Argentina
  • Historically fruits used to make jelly

Tap map buttons for details;
Please give us your Feedback after the tour.

PLANT HIGHLIGHTS

The plantings create a Mediterranean garden feel with ~70 species from 25 countries and 6 continents. Noted local landscape architect Ralph Stevens designed the garden. Tap buttons below to see plant locations.

i Bougainvillea
i Bunya Bunya Tree
i California Fan Palm
i Canary Island Date Palm
i Chilean Wine Palm
i Coast Redwood
i Coral Tree
i Courthouse Grass
i Franceschi Palm
i Giant Bird of Paradise

i Giant Yucca
i Hong Kong Orchid Tree
i Jelly Palm
i Kentia Palm
i King Palm
i Mexican Fan Palm
i Norfolk Island Pine
i Queen Palm
i Saucer Magnolia
i Southern Magnolia
i Split-leaf Philodendron

ARCHITECTURAL HIGHLIGHTS

J. Wilmer Hershey, a Santa Barbara draftsman, sketched the iconic look of the courthouse. Architects William Mooser II & III, father & son, of San Francisco completed construction in 1929 at a cost of $1.4M in 2 1/2 years. Tap below for details.

 Great Arch
 Fountain
 Geothermal Field
 Hall of Records
 Garden Arch
 Rotunda
 Fiesta Stage

 The Jail
 Jail Entrance/Turret
 Figueroa Entrance
 Lawyers' Entrance
 Clock Tower
 Landmark Plaque