Santa Barbara Maritime Museum & Santa Barbara Harbor

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is located in the center of Santa Barbara Harbor. The museum's collection of more than 50,000 antiquities and exhibits illustrates the maritime history of the Santa Barbara Channel and its environs. Exhibits on the Chumash Indians, early explorers, the whaling industry, and local maritime commerce and transportation are on display. The museum also has a research library that contains a collection of maritime history-related rare books, maps, and manuscripts.

One great thing about the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is the Point Conception Lighthouse Fresnel lens. From 1856 to 2014, this unique lens was used to show ships how to get around the dangerous Point Conception on the California coast. The lens is 12 feet tall and weighs over 6,000 pounds. It is one of only a few first-order Fresnel lenses that remain. It's an amazing thing to see and an interesting piece of maritime history.

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is a great place to visit if one is interested in learning about the history of the Santa Barbara Channel, beginning with the early cultures of the Native Americans and progressing all the way up to the fishing and boating industries of today. It's an informative look at this gorgeous seaside town's long and illustrious history in the coastal city.

The Santa Barbara Harbor is a hive of activity, serving as an entry and exit point for a large number of fishing boats and leisure boats throughout the day. Over 1,100 watercraft, including commercial fishing vessels, pleasure boats, and sailboats, reside in the Santa Barbara Harbor.

Visitors can take a stroll along the harbor and observe the boats come and go, or dine at one of the numerous restaurants that line the water's edge. The harbor is home to several restaurants specializing in seafood, such as the well-known Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, which prepares and serves freshly caught seafood directly from the boats.

It is common for people to go swimming and sunbathe on Breakwater Beach, which is located at the harbor. Whale-watching tours, sunset cruises, and deep-sea fishing voyages are also popular activities in the area.

Things to do at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum & Santa Barbara Harbor

Enjoy water sports at Santa Barbara Harbor: The harbor offers kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing opportunities.

Relax at the parks: There are also several parks and green spaces in the area, including Chase Palm Park, which features a carousel and a splash station for children.

Attend a festival or event: Attend one of the many festivals and events held in the region throughout the year, including the Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival, the Harbor Wine & Seafood Festival, and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum's annual Tall Ships Festival.

Go on a drive: When in the mood for a scenic drive, the nearby Gaviota State Park offers breathtaking views of the coastline and is a wonderful destination.

Capture moments: The beaches in the area, including Breakwater Beach, East Beach, and West Beach, are ideal locations for beach photography, particularly during sunrise and sunset.