Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, Santa Barbara

Really cool museum. Small in comparison with other museums, but the exhibits are very cool. Many things you can touch, and there is even a section where they have a station build around a hole in the floor. You can lower down a small grabber that takes some sand of the ocean floor. You can then look inside to see what there is. Shells, rocks, and small sea life can be found. The staff are friendly and know a lot. In all, a really great museum.

Got t the place 18 minutes before closing and were told they were closed, as young lady was counting ting out her cash drawer. We drove over 100 miles to go there and wanted a souvenir to no avail. 1 start is to many. Maybe next time my 2 yr old wi be able to rush in and see so.e fish. Which is all he wanted.

Such a fun day out with children. My boys LOVE it here. We're members and visit regularly. You can touch sharks and rays. They have a tidepool touching exhibit, and a deck observation where they pull up debris and creatures from the bottom of the harbor and you can see what you pulled up under a high powered microscope! Upstairs they have a dark room with aquariums full of jellyfish, decorator crabs, fish, and an octopus. We start downstairs, make our way upstairs, and return downstairs for one more look at the lobster, sharks, rays, and sea stars before lunch. Fun outing!

What a treat is this on the Santa Barbara pier. My 6 year old granddaughter was amazed with the holding of live sea creatures uner the direction of University students of Marine biology. We spent two hours inside and outside.. learning and being amazed. This is a first class Marine biology museum for all ages. And the gift shop has quality gifts. The setting on the lively Santa Barbara pier is breathtaking.

Nice set up on the pier. I just dropped in to buy something from the gift shop and look around. Very friendly informative staff.