Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Founded in 1916 as the Museum of Comparative Oology, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has evolved to include more than 3.5 million specimens covering every aspect of natural history—from mammals, birds, and marine life to geology, astronomy, paleontology, and anthropology. Newly renovated in 2018, the Museum boasts state-of-the-art interactive exhibits for all ages, paired with the Central Coast’s only planetarium, on 17 acres of oak woodland along Mission Creek. Guests learn about the Santa Barbara region’s unique and diverse natural history and then go outside to explore nature in the Museum Backyard. Visit the website for current daily admission prices and hours. Parking is free.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
313 reviews
Excellent
188
Very good
90
Average
30
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Daniel
San Francisco, CA86 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
The exhibits that are open are nice, but it’s a small place and felt even smaller because a number of galleries were closed on the day we went. On top of that they told us the Planetarium schedule was on the weekend schedule due to MLK day, but we waited for the first show to start and it never started. We wasted 30 minutes just waiting outside the Planetarium. They later swapped out the Planetarium schedule at the front desk for the weekday one but didn’t bother to notify or apologize to anyone they gave incorrect information.
Written January 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Road769244
Ogden, UT38 contributions
Feb 2022
This place is great! It has so much cool stuff. I loved the many rooms of interesting displays then going outside to find dinosaurs so realistic I was hesitant to get close. The rescued birds being held by the handlers were beautiful. I wish I had allowed more time to enjoy the lovely grounds and many interesting objects.
Written March 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy
1 contribution
Aug 2022
The Mineral exhibit was gorgeous and full of fascinating information. We were lucky enough to be there for the Butterfly Exhibit, and it felt magical! The planetarium had some nice exhibits and the movie was very good.
Their dinosaur "garden" was fantastic and kids will absolutely love it.
Their dinosaur "garden" was fantastic and kids will absolutely love it.
Written August 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liza W
San Luis Obispo, CA197 contributions
May 2023
We came for the Edward Curtis photo exhibit which was a large collection including some artifacts. I used to live near the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC. It was nice to come to this museum and be able to view everything and not be exhausted. Unfortunately, the butterfly exhibit had not opened yet. I liked the birds because we are bird geeks. The gift shop was very nice. It is an old fashioned museum with some dated displays, but it is a quaint experience. Having a zoo and an aquarium in town complements this small museum. The whale skeleton is amazing in front of the building. The dinosaurs in the back are fun for the kids, but their noises not great for birding. But, we did see a white breasted nuthatch in the forest. Parking on site and not a problem. The mineral exhibit was small but flashy. The exhibits are specific to the Santa Barbara area and local history. I would go back and pay more attention to the Chumash exhibit and revisit the butterfly house if in the area.
Written May 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pehtee
Port Angeles, WA5 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
We three seniors were looking for a nice museum, and chose this one. It is a place more for children than our age group. The live bird exhibit had only one blind owl visible and the cages were not conducive for the birds or people.
The $15 per senior rate was pricy for what we saw. The dinosaur park was cute for kids.
Our bad choice, but great for kids education.
The $15 per senior rate was pricy for what we saw. The dinosaur park was cute for kids.
Our bad choice, but great for kids education.
Written February 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DelLosAngeles
Palm Springs, CA16 contributions
Last year, I purchased a "Naturalist" membersip for myself and my family out of a desire to support the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History in its stated mission to "inspire a thirst for learning and passion for the natural world." While attending a planetarium show with my four-year-old daughter, the elderly volunteer hosting the show, who stated at the beginning of the presentation, "questions are welcome", selectively ignored questions from my daughter. At first, I thought she simply hadn't heard my daughter, who is very soft spoken, and has been taught to raise her hand while waiting to be called on. After her first queston was ignored, she raised her hand again, and politely said "excuse me." When this was also ignored, I indicated that my daughter had a question. The volunteer then stated that the presentation was "for adults only" and refused to answer my daughter's question. At this time, my daughter, who had heard the volunteer say that questions were welcome, looked at me with tears in her eyes, and said "daddy, what am I doing wrong?" We left with her crying and saying "daddy, I just wanted to know how far Mars was from the Sun." Recognizing that this "educational" presentation had done more harm than good, we left the museum grounds. I immediately contacted the museum's Director and requested a personal meeting. The Director told me, in essence, that children have to be taught to deal with adversity and that world is full of disappointment. When I pointed out that, whereas there is some truth to that statement generally speaking, the effect achieved by this incident was to show my daughter that adults are not to be trusted and that education is humiliating and not fun, and teaching my four-year-old daughter about "hard knocks" was not the purpose for which I purchased a membership. At my continued insistence (and following my reminding him that I contributed substantially more to the museum that was required by a standard membership), he did agree to having my daughter go to another show, this time hosted by someone who was even worse that the first volunteer. This host, who was introduced as the Director of the Astronomy program, was rude and obnoxious, and made a bad situation worse. My family has cancelled our membership, and the two staff members, who clearly have no regard, not only for the members, but for the psychological well-being of children, remain on staff. Inspiring "a thirst for learning and passion for the natural world?" Hardly. It would be more appropriate to say that the museum does a fine job of "inspiring a distain for learning and a mistrust of educators." Take your child here at your own risk - and theirs.
Written October 18, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LEHeaven
Wales, UK69 contributions
Sep 2019
We stopped by as we were having a relaxing afternoon en route to the botanic gardens. It was a discount day (unknown to us) and it was incredibly quiet here. This generally suits us, although unfortunately there were sections of the museum closed for a private event. The gardens are lovely. We were a little disappointed there wasn't a proper cafe or place to buy a cold drink inside as the gardens were so beautiful, sometimes people just dont come prepared with food and drink, and we would have gladly paid to spend more time in the gardens (they have a small shop with basic drinks). Exhibits were very good, and the volunteers very friendly and welcoming. We spent a lovely hour here.
Written October 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorraine W
63 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
I've traveled the world and without any doubt this is one of the best Natural History Museums. Located behind the Santa Barbara Mission, this museum can take quite a few hours to see exhibits from oceanic creatures to insects, reptiles, birds, mammals, minerals, astronomy, Chumash heritage, etc. Each display is presented with realistic backdrops painted by several local Santa Barbara artists. Several exhibits are hands-on too!
Written June 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrandJourneys
Saratoga Springs, NY157 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
It was with high expectations that we visited the SB Museum of Natural History yesterday. When the cashier looked at me with surprise that I was paying for three adults, that should have been a warning. Inside, we were surrounded by literally hundreds of screaming children. The exhibits were tired, dusty, and simply sad. Santa Barbara deserves a much better natural history museum than this. Unless it is substantially renovated, it's not worth the visit. Here's hoping an angel will donate.
Written March 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there, we're very sorry to hear you had a poor experience. The Museum is very sought after for school field trips to help educate students about the Chumash, local marine life, and their natural surroundings. We are a 100 year old institution and realize are in need of some refreshing- and after a long wait, it just so happens that upgrades are scheduled to start sometime this year. We'd love to invite you back and offer you 3 free passes to experience our magical property under different circumstances. Please respond with a mailing address and I will be happy to send you passes. Thanks for visiting!
Written March 24, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
krolikv
Los Angeles200 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
Sure, it's not a Smithsonian, or a natural history museum of any big city. It's small, it's quaint. A small exhibit of minerals (which was good), of marine life (eh, so-so). Mammals/birds pavillion was your grandfather's stuffed animals dioramas. The planetarium just sucked. Big time. I was with a 4 year old, who was really excited to see planets, starts etc. So, we came for a 1 pm show, that was advertised as a kid show. I have never seen more boring and low tech show in my life. The host of the show was an old guy, who honestly needs to retire. I almost fell asleep. 5 min into the show all of the kids started to get bored, scream, jump from their seats (and I don't blame them). But the guy just kept going and going about "and the constellation of Big Dipper could be found at 8 pm, on the south rim of the skyy" with a very monotonous tone of voice. All he did - jjust outlined constellations in the sky. We just got up and left. And so did two more families. What a shame. The butterfly garden was also closed. I wish they had more interactive exhibits, so that kids could touch, participate, try.
Written August 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ines6375
Orinda, CA13 contributions
Do they have a safe place or coat check to leave our luggage? We are traveling and have some luggage with us. I am not comfortable leaving them in the car.
Nikki
Indian Wells, CA3 contributions
Is there much to see in the open areas outside? Would love to take my Children but due to Covid restrictions only the outdoor sections are open and I’m not sure it’s worth it if you can see the sections inside the museum!
Rob W
17 contributions
The outside grounds are nice but very little you can see inside from outside.
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