SB Museum of Natural History

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History sits on 17 acres of oak woodland along Mission Creek in Mission Canyon, about 15 minutes from the waterfront. The independent nonprofit holds over 3.5 million specimens covering regional wildlife, Chumash history, marine biology, geology, and astronomy. The planetarium is the only full-dome facility on the Central Coast. The Sea Center branch on Stearns Wharf puts guests hands-on with Santa Barbara Channel marine life. Open daily, 10am to 5pm.

OPERATOR STORY

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has operated as an independent nonprofit since 1916, when a local ornithologist founded it on donated Mission Canyon land. With over 3.5 million specimens and a research staff of 11 curators, it serves as the primary natural history institution for the Central Coast, running education programs, a full-dome planetarium, and a Sea Center on historic Stearns Wharf dedicated to the Santa Barbara Channel.