Location: Santa Barbara
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10 Museums in Santa Barbara That You Shouldn't Miss
Nestled between the shrub-covered slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the clear blue shores of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is California at its best. Mission Santa Barbara is an example of 18th-century religious architecture, boasting beautiful grounds and a wonderfully detailed interior. Work up an appetite with a walk through Shoreline Park, then dine above the water on Stearns Wharf. Fig trees, parks, waterfalls, and botanical gardens round out Santa Barbara’s natural beauty.
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1. 10 West Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Contemporary art gallery located in Santa Barbara's historic district.
2. Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum & Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By ActiveTraveler43 - Santa Barbara, United States
Better described as world history, art and culture, shown through dolls. This is an amazing collection from all locations and eras around the world. The collection includes artistic masterpieces and valuable historic artifacts. You must ask the owner to show you around, (which she does, gladly) or you will miss a lot. (Encourage her to create an audio tour.) This is a hidden gem!
3. Santa Barbara Art Glass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 135 reviews
Make something beautiful: in our private glassblowing class for two with an item to take home. A stone's throw from Stearn's Wharf rests Saul Alcaraz's studio, Santa Barbara Art Glass, where you'll discover blown glass is functional art -- and that you're capable of creating a masterpiece.
Reviewed By AndiamoItalia54
We attended Saul’s glass blowing class in Santa Barbara. It was an amazing experience - such an unusual and fun activity ! Saul did an excellent job teaching and guiding us through the art of making our own blown glass objects. My friend made a delicate bowl and I made a glass “bauble” to place in a large bowl with other objects. The furnace is very hot, so I recommend wearing lightweight clothing. There is also a shop with beautiful glass creations for sale. What an enjoyable afternoon!
4. MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 68 reviews
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, is a one-of-a-kind museum for all ages designed to ignite learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity. The museum's three floors are filled with 17,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits that encourage open-ended discovery, analytical assessment, experimentation, play and just plain fun.
Reviewed By TERR23
I was one of two grandmas who took our granddaughters, ages 10 and 14, to the MOXI. We all had a great time for a couple of hours. There were lots of hands on activities. One of the highlights were the sound booths where we all experimented with making different sounds to correspond with a film clip. We were there on President's Day, but it wasn't too crowded.
5. Glenn Dallas Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
At Glenn Dallas Gallery we specialize in fine art, painting, cultural events and international crafts. We always try to involve the community in our exhibitions and provide a comfortable environment to view spectacular pieces!
6. Funk Factory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Don't miss the Funk Factory, the most creative new experience in SB's Funk Zone. Create your own custom apparel in the splatter & drip chamber, or take a workshop in painting. Ideal for team building, bachelor(ette) parties & other special events, the Funk Factory leaves you with memories you'll be talking about - and wearing - for years. Walk-ins welcome!
7. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 298 reviews
Founded in 1916 as the Museum of Comparative Oology, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has evolved to include more than 3.5 million specimens covering every aspect of natural history—from mammals, birds, and marine life to geology, astronomy, paleontology, and anthropology. Newly renovated in 2018, the Museum boasts state-of-the-art interactive exhibits for all ages, paired with the Central Coast’s only planetarium, on 17 acres of oak woodland along Mission Creek. Guests learn about the Santa Barbara region’s unique and diverse natural history and then go outside to explore nature in the Museum Backyard. Museum education programs serve all ages to promote scientific literacy and instill a passion for nature and learning. Visit the website for current daily admission prices and hours. Parking is free.
Reviewed By hapsterpolly
The Museum hosted an event in the evening. The displays were available and outstanding. The catered food was perfect. and the entertainment--a trio-- was excellent. The museum is a true treasure in Santa Barbara.
8. Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 370 reviews
This museum, founded in 1941, houses a prestigious and varied collection of modern and ancient art plus a special gallery for children.
Reviewed By drjlever - Los Angeles, United States
This small museum in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara is offering half price admissions during their major reconstruction. The entry fee for two seniors was a remarkable $6. A bargain and we spent a lovely two hours seeing some of the oldest photographs in the world (until Dec.8) and the wonderful modernism art of Mexican great Alfredo Ramos Martinez. We also enjoyed the array of art from the museum's permanent collection that were on display. Taking on a huge museum is tiring; this partial peek was the perfect amount of art to enjoy leisurely after a great lunch. What a value!
9. Karpeles Manuscript Library
10. Casa del Herrero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Tours are by reservation only on Wednesdays and Saturdays for those 10 years & older. Admission for the 90-minute, Docent-led tours is $25 per person. All tours are booked online via our website: http://casadelherrero.com/events/. Designated in 2009 as Santa Barbara's 4th National Historic Landmark, Casa del Herrero, built in 1925, stands today as one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. The creative manifestation of St. Louis industrialist George Fox Steedman, Casa del Herrero (House of the Blacksmith) reflects the visionary passions of its 'dream team' of designers: reknowned architect, George Washington Smith, landscape architects Lockwood de Forest and Francis T. Underhill, and antiquarians Arthur Byne and Mildred Stapley, who also helped outfit the well-known Hearst Castle.
Reviewed By V4820YRnancya
Classic Spanish Revival House and Garden that were planned with each other in mind in 1925. The house has all of its original contents and the house and garden that have been cared for continually for 95 years. Wonderful docent gave us a fact filled tour full of anecdotes and personal tidbits. He and we were having such a good time we agreed to go over the regular hour and a half.
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