The California State Historical Resources Commission voted on Feb. 6, 2026, to add Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens and the adjacent Chung family residence to the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP).
The National Register is the federal list recognizing cultural resources significant to the nation’s history and worthy of preservation.
SBTHP purchased Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens and the neighboring Chung residence in 2007, citing the site’s cultural importance. California State Parks acquired the restaurant portion in 2014 and incorporated it into El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, which SBTHP operates. The City of Santa Barbara designated the building a Structure of Merit in 2018.
The listing acknowledges the property’s central role in the Presidio Neighborhood and its long-standing ties to Chinese and Asian American communities in Santa Barbara. The nomination includes both the former restaurant and the associated residence.
The National Register nomination was authored by Heidi Reidel, Associate Planner for the City of Santa Barbara. “Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens and the Chung Family Home are the only remaining buildings from Santa Barbara’s historic Chinatown and the Jimmy’s building is the only visual representation of Chinese heritage in the area,” Reidel said. “The nomination process required a lot of work and research, but I felt honored to be a part of protecting these important buildings… His family’s journey and the impact he left on the community is indicative of the contributions of immigrants to America and the way that complex and layered histories should be celebrated, rather than marginalized.”
SBTHP supported the nomination with research, plans, and images, and California State Parks championed the effort as property owner.
“The nomination of Jimmy’s to the National Register reflects the strength of our partnership with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and the City of Santa Barbara,” said Dena Bellman, District Superintendent for California State Parks. “This effort elevates the diverse histories embedded within El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park and underscores the importance of telling a fuller, more inclusive story of California’s past.”
A key reference for the nomination was the California Asian American Context Statement, a statewide framework that guides the identification and preservation of places significant to Asian American history by situating sites within broader patterns of immigration, business development, and cultural life.
“Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens served as a cultural anchor on Canon Perdido Street,” said Anne Petersen, Executive Director of SBTHP. “It is exciting to see the related buildings achieve national recognition in the effort to acknowledge Chinese Americans’ deep contributions to California and our nation’s history.” She added that the designation strengthens SBTHP’s mission to preserve and share the layered histories of the Presidio Neighborhood and surrounding historic resources.
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This is awesome! My late father used to take us there for any major celebration.
Truly a SB icon.
That was such a cool place. I miss it. Well-deserved honor for their family.
I miss the flaming Mai Tai and giant egg roll. It was a great way to end a downtown work week and start the weekend.
My favorite place dad would take us when I was just a tadpole. I just got hungry for Chinese.