Santa Barbara
Maritime Museum

Founded by a group of fisherman, divers, and sailors, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) explores Santa Barbara’s rich and diverse maritime history while highlighting the important role the Santa Barbara Channel plays in the local community, and beyond.

Located in the historic Waterfront Center Building (formerly the Naval Reserve), the museum is a place where the public can experience maritime culture without leaving the harbor, developing a deeper appreciation for the interconnection between humans and the sea. Visitors leave with a love for and better understanding of the coastal community as well as the channel’s rich history and natural resources – its abundant marine life, the multiple recreational activities it provides, and the people making a living on its waters.

Centered around interactivity, SBMM’s engaging exhibits provide hands-on learning opportunities for all ages while celebrating more than 13,000 years of maritime history in the region – from Chumash culture to today’s surfing and environmental movements.