In the mid 1800s, Santa Barbara County was a beautiful area that was cut off from the rest of the world by mountains and oceans because it lacked one very important piece of infrastructure: a wharf. In 1872, one of the county’s entrepreneurs, John Peck Stearns, set out to build one. 

When the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1, 2022, Stearns Wharf turned 150-years-old, and the county is ready to celebrate.

Now, Santa Barbara’s Stearns Wharf — the oldest functioning wood wharf in the state — has become a hot spot for locals and tourists to stroll among merchants selling a variety of art, jewelry and clothing while enjoying several nearby food vendors and restaurants — all under the backdrop of one the county’s beautiful beaches.

When the wharf was built, there were no roads into town and no railroad, according to the city. 

Stearns Wharf has seen some rough days during its 150-year existence, but has endured four fires, boat crashes, a water spout and earthquakes.

In 1921, a spark from a fire at the Potter Hotel landed on wood pilings at the wharf, but the wharf managed to escape being burned down. In 1973, a fire at the Harbor Restaurant caused severe destruction, and the wharf was only opened to the public again seven years later.

Steamships loaded with lumber dock at Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara.  (Edson Smith Photo Collection)

In the 1980s, the wharf was damaged by more fires and two big storms that caused costly repairs.

In 1998, some of the wharf’s most famous restaurants Moby Dick, Mike’s Bait and Tackle Shop and Santa Barbara Shellfish Company were hit by a fire that decimated their respective buildings.

Debbie Pech, one of Moby Dick’s current restaurant managers, has been an employee at the restaurant since 1987. When the restaurant burned down in 1988, Pech no longer had a job; Pech said “when the pier burned down, [she] wasn't sure if [she] was going to come back.”

“I've been here since 1987. Never planned on being here that long, but it's got my heart, you know,” Pech said.

Locals and tourists enjoy Santa Barbara’s Stearns Wharf, which was built in 1872. (Atmika Iyer / Noozhawk photo)

“I feel like it's kind of my place because I've been here so long. And then when the pier burned down, I wasn't sure if I was going to come back,” Pech continued. “But the thought of being brand new and everything, so I did come back for three days a week. And now I'm managing and serving five days a week. It sucked me back in again.”

For the 150-year anniversary, some of the businesses on Stearns Wharf are holding Wharf Wednesdays on the first week every month with deals on their food and drinks. 

This week, on Feb. 2, there will be live music by the Paradise Kings in a free concert from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Harbor Restaurant parking lot. 

In October, the wharf will celebrate the anniversary with a special event and fireworks. 

— Noozhawk contributing writer Atmika Iyer can be reachd at news@noozhawk.com.