Open daily, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM with early closure Sunday, December 8, and Sea Center late opening Monday, December 9. Check our hours or calendar for more details.

Press Releases

October 15, 2021
New Maximus Gallery Exhibit Showcases Curators & Behind-the-Scenes Collections
September 14, 2021
Local business and educators get a boost to develop sustainable seafood curriculum
August 18, 2021
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is hosting an online open house for people of all ages and backgrounds with a passion for science!
August 4, 2021
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History hosted its Leadership Circles of Giving Luncheon on Tuesday, July 27 in Fleischmann Auditorium.
July 28, 2021
Lauren Booth, Melissa Fassett, Tim Kochis, Corinne Laverty, Keith Reichel, Sarah Sheshunoff, and Lotus Vermeer join the Board of Trustees.
July 12, 2021
Museums for All program offers free or greatly reduced admission to some of the region’s most popular destinations and access to high-quality museum learning resources
May 19, 2021
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is thrilled to announce the opening of its beloved summer exhibit Butterflies Alive! on Saturday, May 29 in the Sprague Butterfly Pavilion.
May 11, 2021
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is currently recruiting volunteers 18 years and older to help facilitate its popular Butterflies Alive! summer exhibit from May 28 through September 6.
March 17, 2021
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is hosting a free, online lunch and learn workshop entitled “Plan While You Can: Strategize Your Personal Property in Estate Planning” on Tuesday, March 30.
February 18, 2021
Emmy-Award-winning meteorologists Bernadette Woods Placky and Anthony Yanez will share empowering advice for discussing climate change during a free online workshop on Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 PM.
February 9, 2021
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is ready to take you back in time millions of years...or just to summer 2019.
January 26, 2021
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is proud to announce Board of Trustees Executive Committee Officers for 2021 as well as new Trustees, Melissa Fassett and Corinne Laverty.
November 23, 2020
Over four weekends, from November 27 to December 20, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will host a series of pop-up shops in its courtyard.
October 6, 2020
Curator Emeritus of Malacology Paul Valentich-Scott has just published Bivalve Seashells of Western South America, the third and final volume in a comprehensive series.
October 5, 2020
Following updated health orders for Santa Barbara County, SBMNH and the Sea Center plan to reopen their indoor exhibits to the public on Thursday, October 15 at 10:00 AM.
September 28, 2020
From Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 11, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will host an online art show and sale featuring over 70 unique contemporary pieces from 14 local artists.
July 8, 2020
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is delighted to open its outdoor areas to the public, including the popular Butterflies Alive! exhibit, starting July 8.
May 28, 2020
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has recently opened summer camp registration for children ages 4–9 to participate with their families at home. Five-day camps run from June 22 to July 10.
May 15, 2020
Purchases Support Museum and Sea Center Programs
May 12, 2020
Denise Stevens has been named president of the Planned Giving Advisory Council at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.