Welcome to the Santa Barbara
Maritime Museum!

Tons of Fun for the Entire Family

A visit to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara, particularly for families. Discover 13,000 years of human interaction with the Santa Barbara Channel inside the doors of this hidden gem, overlooking the scenic Santa Barbara Harbor. Highlights include a handmade Chumash plank canoe, the rare Point Conception Lighthouse lens, a working periscope, interactive sport fishing and tattoo exhibits, and artifacts that tell stories of nearby shipwrecks, the growth of surfing and hardhat diving, the impact of commercial fisheries, and how a local oil spill in the 1960s helped spur the environmental movement. Kids of all ages love the entertaining hands-on children’s area, and don’t miss the nautical-related films playing in the upstairs Munger theater. The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is a must-do for locals and visitors alike.