Visit Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and the Sea Center

This excellent museum has featured fascinating exhibits on the natural history of the region for more than a century. The museum now has two campuses: Mission Canyon, nestled in beautiful oak woodland along Mission Creek, and the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf, which provides a glimpse into the underwater world of the Santa Barbara Channel. The Mission Canyon campus features a life-size 72-foot blue whale skeleton at the entrance, which is a great exhibit to see before heading out on a whale watching trip.

Other popular exhibits here include Chumash Indian displays, the mammal hall, the Gladwin Planetarium, which has interactive exhibits on space exploration, and the lovely woodland nature trail along the creek. The permanent collection is supplemented by special exhibitions. Don't miss the Butterflies Alive! exhibit during the summer! View these winged beauties up close at this exhibit.

The Sea Center, with beautiful views over the water, is also wonderful for families with children. Here, you can touch a baby shark, feel the texture of a sea anemone tentacle, hold a hermit crab, and see alien-like jellyfish. Other interactive exhibits involve hauling up a catch in the crabpot, studying animal behavior, and examining microscopic marine life.

Address: 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, California