Welcome to the Self-Guided Exterior Tour. Press black button above to show or hide architectural highlights. Press green button for plant highlights.
Entrance
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
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
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)
Giant Yucca- Native to Mexico & Central America
- Historically used for food, clothing, roofing & alcoholic beverages
Giant Bird of Paradise- Native to South Africa
- Flowers are perches for pollinating birds attracted by tasty sap
Split-leaf Philodendron (aka "Elephant Ear")
- Native to Brazil
- Air roots may attach to nearby trees for support
Saucer Magnolia- Native to China
- Related to Southern Magnolia
- Prolific blooms in early spring
- Aromatic petals, pinkish-purple outside, white inside
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
Mexican Fan Palm
- Native to Northwest Mexico
- Related to California fan palm with taller, narrower trunk
Chilean Wine Palm- Once nearly extinct in native Chile, now protected
- Sap used historically to produce wine
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)
Hong Kong Orchid Tree - Native to South China
- Not a true orchid -- flowers resemble cymbidium orchid blooms
- Fixes nitrogen in soil (legume family)
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.
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
Coral Tree- Native to South Africa
- Official city tree of Los Angeles
- Bright red flowers attract birds
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
Bunya Bunya Tree- Native to Queensland, Australia
- Huge cones up to 12 in. long and 10 lbs.
- Courthouse tree is over 100 years old
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
Canary Island Date Palm- Native to Canary Islands off African Coast
- Thick trunk and massive crown
- Fruit not palatable
Bougainvillea
- Native to South America;
- Courthouse variety is the San Diego Red;
- Hardy and showy perennial
- Blooms year-round
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.
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.
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Bougainvillea
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Bunya Bunya Tree
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California Fan Palm
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Canary Island Date Palm
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Chilean Wine Palm
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Coast Redwood
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Coral Tree
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Courthouse Grass
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Franceschi Palm
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Giant Bird of Paradise
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Giant Yucca
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Hong Kong Orchid Tree
i Jelly Palm
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Kentia Palm
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King Palm
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Mexican Fan Palm
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Norfolk Island Pine
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Queen Palm
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Saucer Magnolia
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Southern Magnolia
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Split-leaf Philodendron
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