This museum was founded in 1916 and currently has 5,700 members.

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. The Lizard Lounge features live reptiles and amphibians.

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.

Your donations help:

There are many ways you can get involved.

Click here to learn more:

http://www.sbnature.org/