Museum CLOSED
Important Announcement: SBMM Closed on March 7 for Annual Gala Dear Visitors, The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum will be closed on Thursday, March 7 as we prepare for our Annual Gala Fundraiser. This special event supports our mission to preserve maritime history and expand our educational programs. We appreciate your understanding and invite you to…
Love Boat ~ Sailing to the Caribbean Annual Gala
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum 113 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA, United StatesCome aboard the Love Boat ~ Sailing to the Caribbean! A delightful journey filled with vibrant festivities reminiscent of the classic Love Boat experience. Join us on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. for our annual fundraiser taking place at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Guests will enjoy refreshing cocktails and a delightful dinner. SBMM is pleased to honor Hiroko Benko and Sigrid…
SBMM Monthly Book Club
Join the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s Monthly Book Club! Monthly selections are (of course!) related to maritime adventures, history, marine science, ships, and sailing. Members meet the second Thursday of each month in the Harbor Community Room in the museum building. For more information or to find out the current monthly book being read, please…
SBMM Welcomes the Historic Western Flyer to Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is thrilled to host the iconic Western Flyer at the Santa Barbara Harbor. Famous for John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts’ 1940 Sea of Cortez expedition, the restored vessel now serves as a research and education platform. Visitors can enjoy a rare, docent-led onboard experience at the harbor on March 19…
SBMM Presents “The Western Flyer: Steinbeck’s Vessel of Discovery and Resilience” with Dr. Tom Keffer
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) is excited to host Dr. Tom Keffer, chair of the Western Flyer Foundation, for the March installment of its prestigious Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series. Dr. Keffer, Chair of the Board, will present “The Story of the Western Flyer” on March 20, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. A pre-lecture members-only reception…
Museum Closes at 3:30 p.m.
Early Closure Notice – April 5 The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum will be closing early on April 5 as we prepare for the Deepwater Diving Monument unveiling at 4:30 PM at the Santa Barbara Harbor entrance. Join us as we celebrate this historic tribute to Santa Barbara’s deepwater diving pioneers and their groundbreaking contributions to…
Unveiling of the Deepwater Diving Monument: Honoring the Birthplace of Deepwater Diving
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) is proud to announce the unveiling of the Deepwater Diving Monument, a long-overdue tribute to Santa Barbara’s rich heritage as the birthplace of deepwater diving. The monument will be revealed in a special ceremony on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 4:30 p.m., next to the Santa Barbara Harbor and…
SBMM Monthly Book Club
Join the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s Monthly Book Club! Monthly selections are (of course!) related to maritime adventures, history, marine science, ships, and sailing. Members meet the second Thursday of each month in the Harbor Community Room in the museum building. For more information or to find out the current monthly book being read, please…
Beneath Pacific Tides—Tales from Over 75 Years of Ocean Observations in California
Join us at SBMM as we welcome Dr. Erin Satterthwaite for our Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series! She’ll dive into over 75 years of ocean observations in California, revealing how long-term data collection helps us understand and protect our dynamic marine ecosystems. 
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Lecture: 7:00 PM | 
Member Reception: 6:15-6:45 PM
…
SBMM Monthly Book Club
Join the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s Monthly Book Club! Monthly selections are (of course!) related to maritime adventures, history, marine science, ships, and sailing. Members meet the second Thursday of each month in the Harbor Community Room in the museum building. For more information or to find out the current monthly book being read, please…
Curated Cocktails
Summertime Series Returns! Thursday, May 8, 2025 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Join us for the kickoff of our summertime Curated Cocktails series, this vibrant after-hours event blends history, art, and community, featuring blood orange margaritas as the signature cocktail, a selection of mixed hors d’oeuvres, and live acoustic music by Michael Holland. Featured Guest:…
SBMM Monthly Book Club
Join the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s Monthly Book Club! Monthly selections are (of course!) related to maritime adventures, history, marine science, ships, and sailing. Members meet the second Thursday of each month in the Harbor Community Room in the museum building. For more information or to find out the current monthly book being read, please…