Each year, Old Spanish Days Fiesta celebrates the traditions and people who helped shape Santa Barbara. The celebration reflects many chapters of our community’s story — including the Chumash people […]
Joseph Garnica
Joseph Garnica is an eighth-generation Santa Barbara native and local history enthusiast. Through his mother, Carmelinda Valencia (Rodriguez), and the late David A. Valencia, he is connected to two of Santa Barbara's oldest family traditions: Barbareño Chumash and Californio heritage. The opinions expressed are his own.