The Bud Bottoms Dolphin Fountain at Stearns Wharf
Standing proudly at the entrance to Stearns Wharf, the Bicentennial Friendship Fountain is one of Santa Barbara’s most recognized public works of art. Most visitors simply know it as the Dolphin Fountain, a graceful bronze sculpture of three dolphins rising above a circular fountain basin that has welcomed millions of visitors to the waterfront for decades.
Located where State Street meets Cabrillo Boulevard, the fountain serves as the symbolic gateway to Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara’s historic waterfront. Nearly every visitor heading onto California’s oldest working wooden wharf passes beside this landmark, making it one of the city’s most photographed public sculptures.
A Bicentennial Celebration
The fountain was commissioned as part of Santa Barbara’s celebration of its Bicentennial (1782–1982), commemorating two hundred years since the founding of the Presidio of Santa Barbara.
Although created for the Bicentennial celebration, the completed fountain was formally dedicated in 1985. A commemorative plaque explains that the project was constructed through public donations and the Trust for Preservation of the Santa Barbara Waterfront, reflecting the community’s commitment to preserving and beautifying the city’s waterfront.
The Sculpture
The fountain features three bronze dolphins emerging gracefully from the center of a circular concrete basin.
The composition is both elegant and dynamic:
- Three dolphins leap skyward.
- Their tails join together near the base.
- Water rises beneath the sculpture, creating the illusion that the dolphins are bursting from the Pacific Ocean.
- The central dolphin is the largest, accompanied by two smaller dolphins that complete the composition.
The design captures the playful movement and intelligence for which dolphins are famous while celebrating Santa Barbara’s deep connection to the sea.
Why Dolphins?
Dolphins have long been symbols of:
- Friendship
- Harmony
- Intelligence
- Protection
- Safe passage
- The bond between people and the ocean
For Santa Barbara, dolphins were a natural choice. They are frequently seen swimming offshore in the Santa Barbara Channel and have become one of the region’s most beloved marine mammals.
Local tradition also associates dolphins with the Chumash people. A story often shared in local tourism materials suggests that dolphins are regarded as relatives or “cousins” of the Chumash and are considered symbols of good fortune. While this tradition is widely repeated, it should be understood as local folklore rather than a formally documented historical belief.
About the Artist — Bud Bottoms
The fountain was created by James “Bud” Bottoms (1928–2018), one of Santa Barbara’s most celebrated sculptors.
Best known for his bronze marine wildlife sculptures, Bottoms devoted much of his career to portraying whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other ocean life with remarkable realism and movement.
Following the devastating 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, Bottoms became deeply involved in environmental conservation. He helped found the influential environmental organization Get Oil Out! (GOO!), which played a significant role in the modern environmental movement. Throughout his life he combined his artistic talent with a passionate commitment to protecting the ocean and its wildlife.
His sculptures can be found throughout California and in public spaces around the world, with marine life serving as the defining theme of his artistic legacy.
Smithsonian Recognition
Many visitors are surprised to learn that the Bicentennial Friendship Fountain is officially cataloged by the Smithsonian Institution as an important work of American public art.
The Smithsonian’s Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture records the fountain as:
- Title: Bicentennial Friendship Fountain
- Sculptor: James “Bud” Bottoms
- Architect: Gilbert Garcia
- Medium: Bronze sculpture with concrete fountain basin
- Location: Entrance to Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara
The inclusion of the sculpture in the Smithsonian’s national inventory recognizes its importance as part of America’s public art heritage.
A Symbol of the Waterfront
For many visitors, the Dolphin Fountain marks the beginning of their Santa Barbara experience.
Families gather here before walking onto Stearns Wharf. Photographers use the sculpture as a foreground for dramatic sunset images. Children often stop to watch the flowing water before continuing toward the ocean.
Although modest in size compared with monumental sculptures found in larger cities, the fountain has become one of Santa Barbara’s defining landmarks and a beloved meeting place for locals and visitors alike.
Photography
The fountain offers excellent photographic opportunities throughout the day.
Popular compositions include:
- The dolphins with Stearns Wharf in the background
- Sunset reflections on the bronze sculpture
- Palm trees framing the fountain
- Long-exposure nighttime photography
- Holiday lighting during the winter season
Golden hour—shortly before sunset—provides especially beautiful lighting as warm coastal colors illuminate the bronze dolphins.
Nearby Attractions
The fountain is surrounded by many of Santa Barbara’s most popular destinations.
Within a short walk you’ll find:
- Stearns Wharf
- Santa Barbara Harbor
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
- MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
- Chase Palm Park
- West Beach
- East Beach
- Cabrillo Bike Path
- Harbor View Park
- State Street Promenade
- Waterfront restaurants and shops
Its central location makes the fountain an excellent starting point for exploring Santa Barbara’s waterfront.
Amenities
Visitor Information
- ✔ Public Art
- ✔ Working Fountain
- ✔ Free to Visit
- ✔ Open Year-Round
- ✔ Family Friendly
- ✔ Photography Location
- ✔ Wheelchair Accessible Pathways
- ✔ Benches Nearby
- ✔ Public Restrooms Nearby
- ✔ Restaurants Within Walking Distance
- ✔ Gift Shops on Stearns Wharf
- ✔ Harbor Access
- ✔ Ocean Views
- ✔ Sunset Viewing
- ✔ Walking Distance to Downtown
Location
Stearns Wharf Entrance
State Street & Cabrillo Boulevard
Santa Barbara, California 93101
Santa Barbara Local Tip
Take a few moments before heading onto Stearns Wharf to admire the details of the sculpture. Look closely at the flowing movement of the dolphins, then walk to the end of the wharf and glance back toward shore. The fountain, framed by the Santa Ynez Mountains and palm-lined waterfront, provides one of the most iconic views in Santa Barbara.
Did You Know?
Many people simply call it the Dolphin Fountain, but its official name is the Bicentennial Friendship Fountain. Created to commemorate Santa Barbara’s Bicentennial, it stands not only as a work of art but also as a lasting symbol of the city’s connection to the Pacific Ocean, its maritime heritage, and the community spirit that helped bring the project to life.
