Top Museums to Visit in Santa Barbara
Geographically stunning and a cultural hub, Santa Barbara spans diverse histories including Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influences. This coastal haven for the arts is rich with museums that tell captivating stories.
The museums in the “American Riviera” range from historic and quaint to modern and expansive, each conveying its unique sense of history. Residents and visitors alike appreciate the educational value these museums offer. Here are our top picks for museums in Santa Barbara.
MOXI / The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation: Best Museum for Kids
Conveniently located where State Street meets the beach, MOXI features a white exterior that hints at the creative exhibits found inside. Opened in 2017, its classic mission-style façade and towering windows complement the three levels of engaging exhibits. At MOXI, young visitors can explore interactive STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) themes arranged into seven areas, such as “Sound,” “Light,” and “Speed.”
Don’t miss the museum’s Sky Garden, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains while allowing glances down at the museum halls below through a glass floor. Additionally, inquire about MOXI’s Innovation Workshops, engaging design-and-build sessions where children can create memorable keepsakes.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum: Best Museum with a View
Beyond the beach lies the Santa Barbara Channel, a body of water pivotal to the region’s history due to its rich natural resources and diverse marine life, including dolphins, seals, and the majestic blue whale. The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is the perfect venue to deepen your understanding of these cherished waters.
Founded by local sailors and fishers, the museum features year-round exhibits focusing on significant local narratives, such as the Women Lighthouse Keepers and the oil rigs off the coast. Perched above Santa Barbara Harbor, the views from the fourth floor are breathtaking and noteworthy.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art: Best Museum for Art Connoisseurs
Art overflows onto the streets of Santa Barbara, from graffiti in the “Funk Zone” to weekend art vendors along Cabrillo Boulevard. For a comprehensive view of the city’s artistic community, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is a must-visit. Located on State Street in downtown, this museum features a collection of over 25,000 pieces, ranging from antiquities to modern exhibitions.
Recent renovations completed in 2021 have created new gallery spaces and a grand staircase entry, enhancing the visitor experience and showcasing diverse works, including pieces by Mexican painter David Alfaro Siquieros and Impressionist masterpieces by Monet.
Santa Barbara Historical Museum: Best Museum for History Buffs
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum, built in 1964, is a historical landmark itself and stands as one of the oldest cultural organizations in the area. This architectural gem features Spanish-inspired courtyards, including one with preserved adobes, perfect for exploration.
Inside, the museum houses thousands of artifacts and documents reflecting the city’s trajectory, from early hunting tools used by the area’s indigenous inhabitants to impressive 19th-century artwork that speaks to Santa Barbara’s ambitions. A highlight is the permanent exhibition, “The Story of Santa Barbara,” chronicling the community’s development from the first Chumash settlements to the present day.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center: Best for Close Encounters
Established over a century ago as the Museum of Comparative Oology, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History now spans nearly 17 acres, providing extensive grounds for exploration. Within the museum, visitors can enjoy a planetarium, a remarkable 70-foot-long blue whale skeleton, and a mammal hall featuring life-size replicas of bears, seals, and more. The Prehistoric Forest area is particularly enjoyable for children, filled with dinosaur models.
Located on Stearns Wharf, the Sea Center complements the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, hosting close encounters with various marine life, including sea urchins, rays, and sharks for the adventurous.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum: Best Free Museum in Santa Barbara
The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum first opened its doors in 1986 and has since become part of a network of museums across 14 American cities. It showcases a treasured collection of documents that span art, science, literature, and history. Standout pieces include a copy of the Declaration of Independence, early editions by Shakespeare, and even a draft of Richard Nixon’s resignation speech. Admission to this remarkable museum is always free.
