Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

csfotoimages/Getty

The Santa Barbara Waterfront Center building and maritime museum - stock photo
Santa Barbara, CA, USA - June 22, 2015: The Santa Barbara Waterfront Center building and maritime museum

On the harborfront, this jam-packed two-story exhibition celebrates Santa Barbara's briny history with nautical artifacts, memorabilia and hands-on exhibits both fun and educational. Virtual experiences include sustainable fishing in a kelp forest, raising a sail, sorting trash into world gyres, visiting a tattoo parlor and going diving. Enjoy deep-sea-diving documentaries in the theater, and don't miss the awesome harbor view from the 4th floor, which also has a visitor center (11am to 4pm).

There's 90 minutes of free parking in the public lot, or take the Lil’ Toot water taxi from Stearns Wharf.

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.


Must-see attractions