Come aboard the Love Boat ~ Sailing to the Caribbean! A delightful journey filled with vibrant festivities reminiscent of the classic Love Boat experience.
The annual fundraiser takes place every year in March with guests enjoying refreshing cocktails and a delightful dinner. An online auction typically accompanies the event.
The 2025 gala honored Hiroko Benko and Sigrid Toye, presenting them with the museum's prestigious Admiral's Award. Benko and Toye's contributions to the museum are immeasurable. Benko is a longtime supporter and collaborator of our education program, owner of the Condor Express, and co-chair of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. Toye has contributed much as a past board president, current board member, committee member, writer for the Montecito Journal and Santa Barbara Voice Magazine, and creator of the Santa Barbara Breakwater Flags program.
Information about the 2026 gala will become available at the end of the year.
Thank You to Our 2025 Event Sponsors
First Officer's Club
Chuck & Mary Wilson | George Writer
Cruise Director
John & Tracie Doordan | Robert & Carolyn Duncan | Lynda Fairly & Richard Finkley | Ann Howard | Hutton Parker Foundation | Sigrid & Bud Toye
Island Explorers
Andy & Mary Jane Cooper | Frank Schipper & Leslie Meadowcroft-Schipper | Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History & John & Bobbie Kinnear | Lynn Kirst | David & Anna Grotenhuis | Hiroko Benko | Peter Schuyler & Lisa Stratton
Printing Sponsor
JANO Printing & Mailworks
Media Sponsor
Noozhawk