Santa Barbara Museums

Santa Barbara's artistic and cultural heritage is expressed through artifacts, photographs, furnishings and textiles at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. A strong feeling of history permeates Santa Barbara, imbuing special occasions with a flavor of yesterday. The setting at the Santa Barbara Historical Society Museum can be rented for a range of special events, including weddings and receptions. There are two locations to choose from, each with its own distinctive character.

The Reagan Ranch Center Exhibit Galleries feature original Reagan Ranch artifacts matched with state-of-the-art, interactive, multimedia exhibits that highlight the history of Ronald Reagan’s quarter-century at Rancho del Cielo and the accomplishments of his presidency.

A range of exhibits delve into local history at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Explore traditional ship models, diving technology, hunting and fishing exhibits and more. The museum is open daily.

Discover the Geology and Paleontology Hall which provides information on the formation and history of the region, an astronomy center with interactive exhibits and much more at this Santa Barbara museum. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday and holidays from 10am to 5pm. The museum is closed Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

Owned and operated by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, this interactive facility makes marine education fun with a range of exhibits and hands-on activities. The center features a 39-ft (12-m) model of a California Gray whale and her calf. The center is open daily and closed on major holidays.

Opened in 1986, Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Santa Barbara has displayed thousands of historic documents and featured a wide range of exhibits. Previous exhibits have included Mark Twain, Amistad, Civil War Beginnings, the Mexican-American War and Space Exploration.

One of the country's largest collections of dolls and teddy bears is featured at the Susan Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Museum and Library. The museum's three galleries contain over 3,000 items.