Location: Santa Barbara
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The 6 Best Art Museums in Santa Barbara, California (CA)
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. 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!
2. Carriage & Western Art Museum
3. Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 18 reviews
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) is a non-profit, non-collecting museum dedicated to the exhibition, education, and cultivation of the art of our time. Formerly Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum (CAF), MCASB is the premier venue for contemporary art between Los Angeles and San Francisco MCASB is located at the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center Upper Arts Terrace in downtown Santa Barbara, CA. With the opening of the MCASB Satellite @ Hotel Indigo Santa Barbara in February of 2012, MCASB becomes one museum with two locations. Located in the Hotel Indigo Santa Barbara at 121 State Street, the MCASB Satellite space features yearlong exhibitions of stimulating contemporary artworks.
4. Paseo Nuevo Shops & Restaurants
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 91 reviews
We are open! The perfect place to shop, dine, and explore! SHOP & DINE Paseo Nuevo is your premier outdoor shopping destination and the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, offering 50+ national retailers, specialty shops, and restaurants. Shop Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, Pink, Aveda, PacSun, See's Candies, American Eagle, Solstice Sunglasses, and more! Wine and dine at Eureka!, California Pizza Kitchen, 805 Boba or Pressed Juicery. #EXPLORE the beautiful courtyards of Paseo Nuevo surrounded by sunny Spanish-style archways and architectural details and gardens in full bloom. Step off State Street to wind your way through our shopping paseos. After sunset, our romantic pathways dazzle with Moroccan lights as you meander your way to dinner, shopping or just to grab take out. And don’t miss the colorful photo-op with our famous Spanish-tile steps!
Reviewed By jfreniere - Santa Barbara, United States
I love going to the paseo nuevo theatre and we always stop by Sees candies to get some goodies before the movie.
5. AFSB Gallery
The mission of the AFSB’s Gallery is to present exceptional contemporary art, architecture, and design in a unique, historic setting. The Gallery provides a dynamic space in which visitors may contemplate and experience noteworthy examples from these fields, including their potential intersections. Artists, architects, designers are encouraged to submit work created in a wide range of content,
6. Santa Barbara Art District
The Santa Barbara Art District galleries run the gamut from accomplished Santa Barbara and regional artists. In addition to Santa Barbara's finest galleries, the Art District has many other cultural highlights, such as the Historic Theatre District, and Santa Barbara's Spanish-Moorish style courthouse that offers views of the town from its clock tower.
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