
Museum Hours

Dedicated to stewarding the past and present of the Presidio Neighborhood and inspiring preservation advocacy throughout the Santa Barbara County in order to create a more vibrant community.

UPCOMING LECTURE
Santa Barbara Water History and the Mission Tunnel
by Hugo A. Loaiciga, Ph.D.
Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 6 p.m.
The Alhecama Theatre • 215A East Canon Perdido Street
Take a deep dive into Santa Barbara’s water history! Join us on Thursday, October 23rd at 6:00pm for a talk by UCSB Geology Professor and Hydrologist, Dr. Hugo Loaiciga.
Discover how flow reduction rendered Santa Barbara’s Gibraltar Reservoir and Mission Tunnel water systems obsolete, after reliably providing the city with water for most of the 20th century. Hear about the City’s recent water provision solutions, including Cachuma Lake, seawater desalination and wells. Consider future water challenges Santa Barbara will face and some possible pathways forward.
Hugo Loaiciga, Ph.D, is an expert in Hydrology, especially in the subjects of groundwater hydrology, hydrogeology, water resources systems, and applied mathematics. Dr, Locaiciga applies numerical, statistical, and field methods to answer complex problems involving the interactions between surface water, groundwater, and human activities. A professor in the Department of Geography, Dr. Loaiciga also serves as Director of UCSB’s Hydrology Laboratory. He has published over 350 archival papers and received several awards for his research and work.
Annual Community Events

Ready to Join Us?
Become a member today and take part in deepening the legacy of Santa Barbara through place, story, and community.