1. Overview
Santa Barbara, known as the “American Riviera,” is a stunning cultural hub rich in Native American, Spanish, and Mexican history. This coastal city boasts numerous museums that offer captivating stories and educational experiences for both locals and tourists.
2. Top Museums in Santa Barbara
Here are the top museums in Santa Barbara, each contributing uniquely to the city’s cultural landscape.
Geographically stunning and culturally enriching, Santa Barbara is home to a wealth of museums that showcase its diverse history and artistic talents. From historic to modern, each museum offers a unique glimpse into the local culture and heritage.
MOXI / The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation: Best Museum for Kids
Located just before State Street meets the beach, MOXI features a striking white exterior that guards the treasures within. Opened in 2017, this modern museum blends a classic mission-style façade with soaring windows and three engaging levels of interactive exhibits rooted in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) themes. With areas dedicated to “Sound,” “Light,” and “Speed,” it’s a haven for curious minds.
The museum’s Sky Garden offers breathtaking panoramic views of distant mountains and a glass floor that allows visitors to see the bustling halls below. Don’t forget to inquire about MOXI’s Innovation Workshops, where children can engage in design-and-build sessions that often yield memorable keepsakes.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum: Best Museum with a View
More than just a beach, the Santa Barbara Channel holds deep historical significance, showcasing a vibrant marine ecosystem with dolphins, seals, and mighty blue whales. To delve deeper into this beloved waterway, visit the Maritime Museum.
Founded by local sailors and fishermen, this museum presents year-round exhibits focusing on notable local institutions, such as the Women Lighthouse Keepers and the offshore oil rigs. Thanks to its prime location on the water, the views from the 4th floor are an unbeatable highlight.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art: Best Museum for Art Connoisseurs
Art flourishes on the streets of Santa Barbara, from graffiti in the “Funk Zone” to art vendors on Cabrillo Boulevard. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art encapsulates the city’s diverse art scene, featuring more than 25,000 pieces of artwork spanning over 5,000 years. Visitors can admire works by renowned artists, including Mexican painter David Alfaro Siquieros and Monet’s Impressionist landscapes.
Those who haven’t visited recently will be pleasantly surprised by the museum’s extensive renovations completed in 2021, which introduced new gallery spaces as well as a grand staircase entry.
Santa Barbara Historical Museum: Best Museum for History Buffs
Housing a piece of history itself, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum has been a cultural landmark since 1964. Its Spanish-inspired architecture and up-close exploration of courtyards, including two preserved adobes, enhance the experience.
The museum’s extensive collection of artifacts chronicles Santa Barbara’s history, from early hunting tools to grand paintings from the 19th century. Don’t miss the permanent exhibition, “The Story of Santa Barbara,” which traces the area’s development from the Chumash settlements to modern day.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center: Best for Close Encounters
Established over a century ago, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History originated as the Museum of Comparative Oology. Today, it encompasses nearly 17 acres of exploration, featuring a planetarium, a 70-foot-long blue whale skeleton, and lifelike mammal displays, including bears and seals. The Prehistoric Forest area, filled with dinosaur replicas, is particularly enjoyable for children.
Situated on Stearns Wharf, the Sea Center serves as the sister institution of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Here, visitors can encounter fascinating marine life such as sea urchins, rays, and even sharks for the adventurous at heart.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum: Best Free Museum in Santa Barbara
The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, part of a network that spans 14 cities, opened its doors in Santa Barbara in 1986. It showcases an impressive collection of priceless documents across art, science, literature, and history. Highlights include a copy of the Declaration of Independence, early editions of Shakespeare, and a draft of Richard Nixon’s resignation speech. Admission is always free.
