The best arts & culture spots in Santa Barbara

8 arts & culture spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Arts & Culture · 8 places · showing the latest additions first

Santa Barbara Museum Of Art

Arts & Culture

Santa Barbara Museum of Art is stacking summer with shows worth a pop-in, from RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY: Internet Art to A Few of Our Favorite…

1130 State St

“Santa Barbara Museum of Art is stacking summer with shows worth a pop-in, from RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY: Internet Art to A Few of Our Favorite Things. Swing by this week to catch Remixed: Entwined Histories & New Forms before it wraps August 30, then linger with Modern Life and other ongoing gems.”

From the Santa Barbara newsletter, August 8, 2026

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Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

Arts & Culture

Whether you're a tide chart nerd or just love a good sea story, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum brings our coast to life with immersive…

113 Harbor Way Ste 190

“Whether you're a tide chart nerd or just love a good sea story, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum brings our coast to life with immersive exhibits, artifact-packed collections, films in the Munger Theater, and the Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series... the perfect midweek reset without leaving town.”

From the Santa Barbara newsletter, August 7, 2026

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Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

Arts & Culture

Aquatic exploration center with live shark touch pools, a tidepool tank & magnified sea specimens.

211 Stearns Wharf

“Aquatic exploration center with live shark touch pools, a tidepool tank & magnified sea specimens.”

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Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Arts & Culture

Landmark with various exhibits including regional history, art, a planetarium & a butterfly garden.

2559 Puesta Del Sol

“Landmark with various exhibits including regional history, art, a planetarium & a butterfly garden.”

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Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum & Library

Arts & Culture

Charming museum with a complimentary tearoom & an extensive collection of dolls & teddy bears.

122 W Canon Perdido St

“Charming museum with a complimentary tearoom & an extensive collection of dolls & teddy bears.”

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Santa Barbara Historical Museum

Arts & Culture

Over 80,000 artifacts & objects tell a detailed story of the history of the city of Santa Barbara.

136 E De La Guerra St

“Over 80,000 artifacts & objects tell a detailed story of the history of the city of Santa Barbara.”

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MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

Arts & Culture

Contemporary museum devoted to science, technology & the arts, with a focus on interactive exhibits.

125 State St

“Contemporary museum devoted to science, technology & the arts, with a focus on interactive exhibits.”

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Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara

Arts & Culture

Revered pick for artistic performances & free-to-enter exhibit space for contemporary art showings.

653 Paseo Nuevo

“Revered pick for artistic performances & free-to-enter exhibit space for contemporary art showings.”

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