Visitors 'catch the big one' at the fishing simulator as part of this interactive exhibit celebrating the abundant fisheries along the Central Coast. Also included are antique and modern gamefishing...

Seth Brayer, who is self-taught and works out of his home studio in Santa Barbara, creates original sculpture, marbles and jewelry using a centuries-old technique known as lampworking or flameworking...

This history of the local waterfront includes the building of Stearn's Wharf, Santa Barbara breakwater and more. A historical timeline of Santa Barbara's waterfront and harbor area is complete with...

In this exhibit, children learn about our maritime heritage and the sea in a fun and creative way. On hand are a wide variety of art materials, colorful soft toys and furniture representing sea...

Lonely and remote, Santa Barbara's Spanish (1769-1821) and Mexican (1822-1846) settlements were highly dependent on goods delivered by supply ships. The exhibit includes objects that were brought by...

This 'living' exhibit proudly displays a 23-foot hand-made wooden tomol, the canoes built to cross the Santa Barbara Channel to the Channel Islands -- and still used today. Ancient and modern tomol...

This exhibit highlights one of the most important archaeological excavations in China -- the unearthing of Mawangdui, the tomb of the first lady and family of the Changsha Kingdom (died 168 BC) in the...

'Beyond: Visions of Planetary Landscapes' paints a rarely seen and mesmerizing portrait of our Solar System with incredible aesthetic and scientific appeal. Award-winning filmmaker, journalist, and...

This is the museum's permanent installation exhibit.

From prehistoric times to the early twentieth century, otter and seal hunting has been a commercial link between California and the outside world. Three flip-up touch panels allow visitors to compare...

The Central Coast offshore oil industry is chronicled, including an intricate model oil platform display just like those found in the Santa Barbara Channel. Future plans include a working model of...

In the nearly 150 years since they were created, many of the Museum's Audubon prints have suffered damage that has made them un-displayable. Three years ago, we began a project to restore these rare...

The story of California shore whaling from 1854 to 1971 (when the last whaling station closed at Richmond) features whaling implements, photographs, a diorama of the shore whaling camp at Goleta...

Fascinating collection of intricate radio-controlled model boats were made by Dwight Brooks. The models are of true-life vessels, including a luxury yacht, Norwegian fishing trawler, naval patrol...

Pacific Northwest cultures are famous for spectacular masks, ceremonial regalia, and fine carvings in wood and stone. Many of these objects, most collected by Max Fleischmann, will be shown in...

This unique exhibit describe the histories of six of the eight Channel Islands: San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa, and Anacapa. A rich variety of artifacts, photographs...

Works of art by the distinguished instructors of historic Santa Barbara School of the Arts, including Colin Campbell Cooper, John Marshall Gamble, John Edward Borein, and many others.

The story of the hide and tallow trade and of 1830s California was vividly told in Richard Henry Dana Jr.'s 'Two Years Before the Mast.' This exhibit features a first edition copy of the book, a model...

Discover adventurers who plied the waters of the Central Coast, beginning with Juan Cabrillo in 1542 and ending with Vancouver in 1793. The exhibit features push-button interactives detailing the...

Hardhat diving has been part of local history since the late 1800s when abalone became a sought-after delicacy. Commercial diving is an integral part of the sea urchin fisheries as well as in the...

Thrill to shipwreck stories and discover the underwater archaeology used to locate, monitor, and preserve local underwater cultural resource. The Cuba, Winfield Scott and Honda disaster are displayed...

Nautical charts through time are displayed in a lively and engaging exhibit.