El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

Built to protect the missions between Monterey and San Diego, this 18th-century former Spanish fort of the El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park was protected by adobe walls nearly 4ft thick and more than 9ft high. But its purpose wasn't solely to protect - the presidio, which recently celebrated the 225th anniversary of its founding, also served as a social and political hub, and as a stopping point for traveling Spanish military.

Today, the small urban park, between Anacapa and Santa Barbara Sts, harbors some of the city's oldest structures, which seem to be in constant need of propping up and restoring. Be sure to stop by the chapel: its interior is radiant with kaleidoscopic color.