Skip to content
visitorfun
BusinessesGrow
MuseumsHistory BuffFreeLocal Gem

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

136 E De la Guerra St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 · Santa Barbara, CA

Why you should go…

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum, established in 1932, holds more than 90,000 artifacts spanning over 500 years of Chumash, Spanish, Mexican and American history in the region. Its signature exhibit, The Story of Santa Barbara, traces that history through paintings, textiles and decorative arts. The grounds also include two historic adobes dating from 1817 and 1836. Admission is free.

  • #history
  • #museum
  • #free
  • #chumash
  • #architecture

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Santa Barbara Historical Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Date Night

    Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail

    Free

    Self-guided trail linking over 20 walkable wine tasting rooms across downtown Santa Barbara neighborhoods.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Cat Therapy

    Under $25

    Santa Barbara's only cat cafe, where visitors socialize with adoptable rescue cats in a cage-free lounge.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Eat & Drink
    Local Gem

    Rusty's Pizza

    Under $25

    Family owned Santa Barbara pizza parlor making handmade pizza since 1969.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Reagan Ranch Center

    Free

    A free museum in downtown Santa Barbara with artifacts and exhibits on Ronald Reagan's life and presidency.

    0.6 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

    Under $25

    Harborside museum on Santa Barbara's maritime history with interactive exhibits and a theater.

    1.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

    Under $25

    Natural history museum on a wooded Santa Barbara campus with fossils, wildlife, Chumash culture and a planetarium.

    1.7 mi awayMore like this