Location: Santa Barbara
Top Things to do in Santa Barbara
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Things to do in Santa Barbara, California (CA): The Best Specialty Museums
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.
Restaurants in Santa Barbara
1. 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!
2. Karpeles Manuscript Library
3. Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Located on the water's edge of the Santa Barbara Harbor, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum contains exciting & educational exhibits set inside of nearly 8,000 square feet of Museum space. The Maritime Museum also offers a wide range of educational programs including docent tours, and Tall Ship tours. Admission also includes a series of films shown daily in our large screen, high-definition Munger Theater. Fun for the whole family!
Reviewed By GilB867 - Memphis, United States
This is a great little museum depicting many aspects of the local seafaring culture. It is located on the west end of the marina in a very picturesque area. This area offers a lot of local culture centered around a WWII pier built by the U.S. Navy and still in use today. We were there on a Saturday morning and were able to enjoy the Santa Barbara Saturday Morning Fish Market viewing what the local fishermen were selling, brown crab, rock fish, squid, and others. Quiet interesting and a nice photo opportunity. This area also many local restaurants, shops, and other attractions on that end of the marina. We ended up spending the entire morning there. And on the fourth floor of the Maritime Museum is a small exhibit by the National Park Service of the Channel Islands National Park. They do offer Channel Islands cancellation stamps here.
4. Reagan Ranch Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 261 reviews
* THE REAGAN RANCH CENTER GALLERIES WILL BE CLOSED FROM MARCH 16TH - 20TH, out of concern for the health and safety of our guests, staff, and the wider community.* The Reagan Ranch Center in downtown Santa Barbara, California is open to the general public for tours and visitation Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. These 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. Over six hours of dynamic multimedia exhibits provide access to exclusive speeches, interviews, radio addresses, and original video presentations. The centerpiece of the gallery is a 28-foot-long interactive “timeline” that gives users the ability to explore the “Western White House” during the 1980s.
Reviewed By waynefromcali - Yucaipa, United States
ALL AMERICAN....thats what came to mind when I visited The Reagan Ranch and Young American Center in the beautiful travel and destination city of Santa Barbara California recently. Dedicated to the life,times and service of The 40th President of The United States of America,Ronald Wilson Reagan! The experience at The Reagan Ranch and Young Americans Center was terrific and in the center is a vast historical collection of memoribilia from President Reagans and wife,Nancy Reagans, life-such as pictures,speeches,books,his ranch Jeep vehicle and an actual historical section of the"Mr Gorbachev Tear Down this Wall" Berlin Wall that was one of President Reagan's greatest accomplishments-the start of the dismantling the former oppresive Soviet Union and the formerly known USSR communist regime. One the most famous US Presidents in history,Ronald Reagan was a true heroes,patriot and believer in The USA and democracy. This is a must see in Santa Barbara or in addition to seeing the world famous-Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley,California.There is plenty of free parking and lots to see and learn about our country,its values,and President Ronald Reagan's life as a great American and a contributor to what truly makes The USA and its democracy the great country that it is . . . . . . #potus #ronaldwilsonreagan #nancyreagan #ronaldreagan #democracy #40thpresident #trump #donaldtrump #teardownthiswall #santabarbara #berlinwall #usa
5. Santa Barbara Surfing Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
