Santa Barbara has hosted community markets for more than a century, many of which grew out of early civic celebrations and grassroots gatherings. What began as small initiatives tied to cultural events gradually evolved into established marketplaces that now anchor the city’s social calendar.
Over time, these markets have helped shape Santa Barbara’s social, economic, and cultural life. Farmers, artists, food vendors, and small businesses have used them as gathering spaces, which are places to sell goods, exchange ideas, and build lasting community connections.
Markets That Reflect Santa Barbara’s Evolving Character
1. El Mercado de la Guerra
El Mercado de la Guerra traces its roots to the first Fiesta celebration in 1924, when community leaders organized “Old Spanish Days” to attract summer visitors and celebrate the city’s Spanish and Mexican heritage. Early fiestas featured temporary booths near El Presidio before the concept evolved into a more formal marketplace.
In 1949, community advocate Rosario Andera Curletti helped formalize the Mercado’s identity, and architect Robert Hoyt designed booths reflecting traditional Spanish and Mexican architectural influences…