Old Spanish Days - Fiesta 2024: Road Closures, Parking, and Public Safety Updates

Santa Barbara Police Department (SBPD) expects a large influx of people into the city during the Old Spanish Days-Fiesta annual celebration. Additional Officers will be assigned to foot patrols along the State Street Promenade, Funk Zone and Waterfront.

There will also be additional traffic patrols throughout the city starting Wednesday, July 31, through Saturday, August 4, 2024. These Officers’ primary duty is to prevent collisions and driving under the influence (DUI) throughout the week. We request that all those driving, bicycling, and walking within the community abide by traffic laws. Please have a sober driver, utilize taxis, or use ride-share services if you are consuming alcoholic beverages.

Please instruct children to seek assistance from a police officer if they become separated from you.

“If You See Something, Say Something!” Report suspicious activities and packages to the police, please contact SBPD’s Dispatch Center on the Non-Emergency Line.

Non-Emergency Line: (805) 882-8900

For emergencies or if you see an impaired driver, dial 9-1-1.

Though State Street has been reconfigured into a Promenade, it is important to remember it is still a public thoroughfare and open alcoholic beverages are prohibited on any public street, sidewalk, or area.

Santa Barbara Municipal Code 9.05.010 prohibits the consumption or possession of any open alcoholic beverage upon any public street, sidewalk, parking lot, or alley. Citations could be issued as a result of possessing an open alcoholic beverage or consuming an alcoholic beverage in public.

Smoking and electronic cigarettes are also prohibited in the city while in public per Municipal Code 9.20.020. Santa Barbara aims to be a “smoke-free” city to protect the health, safety, and well-being for all.

All parking enforcement rules and regulations including timed, 15, 60, and 75-minute zones, and all other parking regulations, will be enforced throughout the city during the week.

Exception from timed parking: only on Friday, August 2, 2024, for the Historical Parade, with no time enforcement primarily in the West Beach and Funk Zone neighborhoods. The "Friday, August 2 Exception from Timed Street Parking Map " indicates the exception from timed parking in the area shaded in RED; north of Cabrillo Boulevard, east of Castillo Street, south of the U.S. Highway 101, and west of Garden Street.

The "Friday, August 2 Exception from Timed Street Parking Map" indicates the exception from timed parking in the area shaded in red with a perimeter to the north of Cabrillo Boulevard, east of Castillo Street, south of the U.S. Highway 101 and west of Garden Street.

If you are participating in the Fiesta celebration for an extended period, you are encouraged to utilize one of the City’s downtown parking lots, garages, or harbor, beach, and waterfront lots. Please note that waterfront, harbor, and beach parking lots will still require payment for parking.

Temporary no-parking areas will be clearly designated with signage.

• Friday, August 2, 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cabrillo Blvd, between Castillo Street and Niños Drive, and surrounding streets.
• Saturday, August 3, 8:00 am to Noon. Cabrillo Blvd, between Garden Street and South Milpas Street, and surrounding streets.
   

Riding a bike is a great way to attend the festivities! The City provides additional bike racks on Cabrillo Boulevard and in the Harbor during the event.

Bike Share Pilot Program

The Mexican market across from City Hall in De La Guerra Plaza.
Mercado hours of operation: Wed. July 31 to Sat. August 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

• Closure of De la Guerra Loop Road - Sat. July 27, 5:00 a.m. to Sun. August 4, 7:00 p.m.
• Closure of East De la Guerra Street between State Street and Anacapa Street - Tues. July 30, 5:00 a.m. to Sun. August 4, 7:00 p.m.
  
   

"Little Fiesta", will occur at the Old Mission Santa Barbara on Thur. July 31, 2024.

• 6:00 p.m. - Street closures in the surrounding area of the Old Mission Santa Barbara.
• 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. - Street Closure of Los Olivos Street between Laguna Street and Alameda Padre Serra. Street Closure of Laguna Street between Padre Street and Los Olivos Street. 
• 10:00 p.m. - Roads will start to be opened.

Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Pequeña Street Closure Map

It is highly recommended you use alternative modes of transportation to this event other than a vehicle.

The Historical Parade, El Desfile Histórico, will occur along Cabrillo Boulevard on Fri. August 2, 2024.

• 5:00 a.m. - Street closure of Cabrillo Blvd. between Niños Drive and Castillo Street, and adjoining streets in this area.
• 9:30 a.m. - Stearns Wharf closed to vehicles.
• Noon - El Desfile Histórico Begins!
• 4:00 p.m. - Approximate time when roads will start to reopen after the parade.

The Fiesta Historical Parade Map (Google Maps) includes detailed information about street closures, public parking, and parade details for the August 2nd Historical Parade.

Accessible Parking and Parade Viewing: Additional ADA parking spaces with accessible paths to the parade route and accessible restrooms will be available at the eastern end of the Main Harbor Parking Lot, and payment for parking is required. Access to the Main Harbor Parking Lot is via Loma Alta and Shoreline Drive.

 

The Children’s Parade, El Desfile de los Niños, will occur along Cabrillo Blvd on Sat. August 3, 2024.

• 8:00 a.m. - Street Closure of Cabrillo Blvd., between Garden Street to South Milpas Street and adjoining streets.
• 10:00 a.m. - El Desfile de los Niños begins!
• 1:00 p.m. - Approximate time when roads will start to reopen after the parade.

The August 3rd Children’s Parade Map (Google Maps) includes information about street closures, public parking, and parade details.

Accessible Parking and Parade Viewing: Additional ADA parking spaces with accessible paths to the parade route and accessible restrooms will be available at the eastern end of the Palm Park Parking Lot, and payment for parking is required. Access to the Palm Park Parking Lot is via Garden Street and Cabrillo Boulevard.