The museum is located on the Harbor, a very beautiful area to walk along. We didn't expect to spend so much time there, but the exhibits are fascinating and well presented. The roof top view of Santa Barbara is not to be missed.
Came here expecting to find a couple of ship models and a few odds-and-ends. Instead we were treated to a hugely informative two-story museum with a number of impressive models, interactive elements to help keep the kids' attention, numerous interesting displays with great graphics and information, and a nice theater showing free related videos. They even had a great scavenger hunt for the kids that helped get the kids to read through many of the exhibits and a nice little prize for them when they returned the completed hunt worksheet.
This is the best little museum, with a broad range of exhibits about Chumash Indian life, marine life, nautical history, geology, some great children's activities too.
This was informational and they made it fun for my seven year old. They gave her a project to do during the museum trip, and then she got a prize at the end. Lovely staff and very nice museum.
Right on the water, this place is a really good museum. Be sure to check it out, especially the ship wreck and lighthouse portions. I recommend it!
It was a great place to hang out for a while. It was very informative concerning underwater equipment advances, ships and history of ships in the Santa Barbara area.
The ocean clearly plays a key role in Santa Barbara's culture, present and past. This museum really was a great stop to gain a better understanding of that. While it's small, they have everything you need and manage to keep it engaging.
Just visited this museum for the first time; didn't even really know it existed. What a gem it is! So many interesting exhibits that are clean and up to date. You'll learn a lot about Santa Barbara and the surrounding area. I didn't realize how many shipwrecks were located off shore!. And, you simply must try the deep sea fishing experience!
....and watch for really great surfing and ocean related documentaries in the museum ampitheatre....then stroll the marina hopefully the tide is out or you WILL GET SOAKED out on the jetty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Near the end of our stay we were looking for one more thing to do. This Museum fit the bill! We enjoyed the displays on scuba diving as well as the new lighthouse display. The staff has very helpful. The exhibits helped us understand Santa Barbara. Glad we stopped by!