Although long since paved over, early maps of Santa Barbara show this as the site of the De La Guerra family garden. Water was abundant back then, being handily supplied by several springs as well as the nearby la laguna (the little lake). A far cry from the severe drought conditions of today!
As the city of Santa Barbara grew, the lagoon was filled in and the springs dried up. This likely explains the prevalence of drought-tolerant succulents in today's gardens. Despite the arid nature of the land, the streets of Santa Barbara are still home to hundreds of gardens, from small plots tucked in alcoves and under trees, to massive affairs like Lotus Land and the Botanic Garden. One of the joys of geocaching in the downtown area is to come across a surprise garden, lovingly tended by a local resident.
This is the twentieth in a series of geocaches placed along historic streets in Santa Barbara. You are looking for a micro, with room for a few small trade items, hidden from sight. The cache is located alongside a public sidewalk away from any nearby windows, so you should be free from prying eyes as you conduct your search. However, the nearby intersection is one of Santa Barbara's busiest, so please use stealth when searching for this cache.
PLEASE NOTE: There is no need to leave the sidewalk or destroy the landscaping when searching for this cache.Also take care when removing and replacing the log. You will need to bring your own pen or pencil.
Special thanks to Neal Graffy for doing the research on the facts and stories behind the street names.