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Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

113 Harbor Way, Suite 190, Santa Barbara, CA 93109 · Santa Barbara, CA

Why you should go…

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, in the Waterfront Center Building at Santa Barbara Harbor, opened in 2000 and interprets the maritime history of the Santa Barbara Channel. It has nearly 8,000 square feet of exhibit space plus docking space for historic vessels and an 88 seat theater for films and talks. Exhibits cover topics such as sustainable fishing, sailing, diving and sport fishing.

  • #museum
  • #maritime
  • #history
  • #family
  • #harbor

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 Maritime Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Condor Express

    $50+

    High-speed catamaran offering year-round whale watching trips from Santa Barbara harbor.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Stardust Sportfishing

    $50+

    Santa Barbara charter fishing boats running half and three quarter day trips to the Channel Islands.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Land and Sea Tours

    $25–$50

    90-minute amphibious Land Shark tour covering Santa Barbara landmarks by road and the harbor by sea.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • 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.

    0.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Santa Barbara Historical Museum

    Free

    Free Santa Barbara museum tracing the region's Chumash, Spanish, Mexican and American history.

    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.

    2.8 mi awayMore like this