Experts' Choice Award Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
What the experts agree on
The standout blue whale skeleton draws you in, but the real gem is how this Spanish Revival complex on 11 wooded acres packs expertly curated exhibits on West Coast flora, fauna, and Chumash culture into manageable rooms—plus gardens and nature
“Housed in Spanish Revival-style buildings on an extensive property with lush gardens, the museum is the home of an extensive collection of artifacts including a fantastic bird collection.”
– goop
Concierge "Exhibits on local birdlife, insects, mammals, and marine life, plus Chumash Indian artifacts, planetarium shows, and nature trails."
i
The maze of galleries can be difficult to navigate, so make sure to pick up the map.
Fodor's "The gigantic skeleton of a blue whale greets you at the entrance of this complex." Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"Exhibits in this complex of Spanish-style stucco buildings, which sits on 11 acres in a wooded canyon, display the flora, fauna, geology and ethnography of the West Coast." Full review
Afar Magazine "It doesn't look like much but a big house with a peaceful courtyard, but each room contains a large and expertly put together exhibit." Full review
Lonely Planet "The huge whale skeleton by the entrance whets the appetite for the city's natural history museum." Full review
Frommer's "Mountain lions and giant squid and bears, oh my! There's just enough to explore at this manageable museum located just behind the Old Mission" Full review
"The sprawling Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, opened in 1923, offers an opportunity to simultaneously travel back in time and around the world. Tucked into a sleepy residential..."
National Geographic
