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Children's Museums

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Name: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Address: 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, Santa Barbara, CA, US
Telephone: (805) 682-4711
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (1594 reviews)

📍 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

📞 (805) 682-4711

🌐 sbnature.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	10 AM–5 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–5 PM
Thursday	10 AM–5 PM
Friday	10 AM–5 PM
Saturday	10 AM–5 PM
Sunday	10 AM–5 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Exhibits featuring area history & nature. Landmark with various exhibits including regional history, art, a planetarium & a butterfly garden. The museum features the largest whale skeleton in the world according to visitor reviews. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,594 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Natural History Museum
Best For: All ages
Highlights: Sprague Butterfly Pavilion, Lepidoptera collection, Palmer Observatory star parties, Sea Center marine exhibits
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Membership: Yes, available

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The museum features the largest whale skeleton in the world according to visitor reviews
⭐The Sprague Butterfly Pavilion is currently nominated for USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards 2026
⭐The museum operates both a main Natural History Museum and a separate Sea Center location with interactive touch pools and shark-focused programming
⭐The museum features a planetarium exhibit that visitors describe as small but incredibly immersive, creating transformative experiences about Earth and life
⭐The museum offers a 'Sponsor a Butterfly' program allowing visitors to directly support butterfly conservation efforts

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Start your visit with the planetarium first—visitors rave about its immersive experience despite its small size, and it sets a great tone for the rest of your visit before moving to other exhibits.
💬The Sprague Butterfly Pavilion is worth the extra admission cost according to visitor reviews, but arrive early to beat lines and bring a light layer—the pavilion can get quite warm, and fans would improve comfort.
💬Plan 3-4 hours minimum to see major highlights including the planetarium, Butterfly Pavilion, the world's largest whale skeleton, outdoor Prehistoric Forest dinosaurs, and the live bird area.
💡With young children, prioritize the interactive Sea Center exhibits (touch pools, Shark Sundays) and Storytime programs alongside the Butterfly Pavilion—these are specifically designed for hands-on engagement and are highlighted by families.
💡Consider exploring both the indoor galleries (Anthropology, Chumash history, animal collections) and outdoor nature areas—visitors consistently mention the museum's strength in covering diverse topics from local history to prehistoric life.