SBMNH: About Us

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Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
About Us

Executive Director: Karl Hutterer
Board President: Steve Hicks

Founded: 1916

Members: 5,700

Mission:
To enlighten the public by developing and presenting fundamental knowledge of natural history research, so as to teach and inspire a lifelong passion and abiding respect for the natural world.

Location:
Main Campus: Set on eleven oak-shaded acres in historic Mission Canyon and crossed year-round by Mission Creek, the Museum campus features a cluster of Spanish-style buildings and easy nature walks.

Sea Center: Located on Stearns Wharf, the Sea Center offers a window on the Santa Barbara Channel, numerous marine exhibits and aquaria.

Exhibits: The Museum features eleven exhibit halls, focusing on regional natural history, including birds, insects, mammals, marine life, paleontology, Native Americans and the Chumash Indians.

Features: Life-size Blue Whale skeleton, a planetarium, an antique natural history art gallery, a museum store and special programs featuring outstanding lecturers and films.

Audience: The Museum serves the southern and central coast of California. The City of Santa Barbara is home to 89,000 people. It has a large Hispanic population and an active Native American population. More than 150,000 people visit the Museum each year.

Of Interest: The Museum has the only natural science database and collections repository specializing in the Santa Barbara region. We house the largest collection of Chumash Indian artifacts outside the Smithsonian. Our shell collection and bird egg collection are among the most significant in the country.

Hours/Fees:

Main Campus Hours: 10am to 5pm Daily, Saturday and Sunday

Main Campus Closed: First Friday in August of Fiesta, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (3:00 p.m.), Christmas Day, New Years Day.

Main Campus Admission:
• Adults $10
• Seniors (65 and over) $7
• Youth 13-17 $7
• Children 3-12 $6
• Children under 3 free

Museum members free.
Click here to learn about Museum membership.

Sea Center Hours: 10am to 5pm Daily, Saturday and Sunday

Sea Center Closed: First Friday in August of Fiesta, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (3:00 p.m.), Christmas Day, New Years Day.

Sea Center Admission:
• Adults $8
• Seniors (65 and over) $7
• Teens 13-17 $7
• Students $6
• Children 2-12 $5
• Children under 2 free

Museum members free.
Click here to learn about Museum membership.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has been accredited since 1973 by the American Association of Museums.