About Earl Warren Showgrounds

34 acres of multi-use property located in the City of Santa Barbara

Earl Warren Showgrounds is Santa Barbara’s multi-use community event center

Our Mission

Our Values

Our Shared Beliefs

Who We Serve

The Earl Warren Showgrounds is a multi-use community event and emergency resiliency center serving the existing and changing needs of Santa Barbara's culture, history, and community.

Service ✶ Flexibility ✶ Accessible
Affordable ✶ Trust ✶ Inclusive ✶ Stewardship

✶ Providing space for shared experiences.
✶ Serving as a hub for gatherings.
✶ Agile, accessible, affordable.
✶ Serving the needs of our community.
✶Serving the changing needs of our community.
✶Serving as a trustee of public trust and of a public asset.
✶Inclusivity, place where all can belong.
✶Environmental and agriculture stewardship.

The Showgrounds exists:

To serve as stewards of a public resource and asset and make the resources and asset available to the community.
To provide locally relevant activity and event space that is multi- purpose and diverse in its offerings.
To celebrate community talent, diversity, spirit and provide the ties that bind the community together.
To promote, educate, and connect the community to agriculture.

The Earl Warren Showgrounds serves the entire community, particularly the communities within the parameters of the 19th DAA District. (Defined as Carpinteria to Gaviota).

Our Beginnings

Earl Warren Showgrounds was originally developed as the permanent location for the Santa Barbara National Horse and Flower show as well to attract and support other equestrian and agricultural events to the Santa Barbara area. In 1950, a site at the corner of Las Positas Road and Calle Real was selected for the showground. To gain support for construction of the facilities from the City of Santa Barbara and the local community, the District gave eighty-two acres to the City to add to the community golf course and ten acres for the construction of Adams Elementary School.

In 1955, the 19th Agricultural District received State authorization to plan and build the fairgrounds. The Equestrian Facility was completed in 1958, with the Exhibit building finished 1959 and the administration building was added in 1961. The Satellite wagering building was completed in 1993.

Our History

Earl Warren Showgrounds has served many needs of the Santa Barbara community over the years. The home to many events and historic moments and performances, we continue to evolve with the times and our community needs. Stay tuned for more content.