Museum of Natural History

Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta del Sol Road
Santa Barbara, 93105
805-682-4711 (General Information)
805-682-4711 x405 (Observatory/Planetarium)
805-962-2526 (Sea Center)
www.sbnature.org

Santa Barbara isn't really that big of a town. The entire metropolitan area probably has around 200,000 people. So this Museum comes as a bit of a surprise. The size of the museum, the complexity of the collections and the beauty of the grounds all seem like the museum belongs somewhere much larger.

Exhibits feature mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, plant life and geology of the Pacific Coast and Channel Islands. Exhibits also include dioramas of prehistoric Native American life. There are many special activities held at the Museum so be sure to check their website often for upcoming event.

Outside on display is an actual skeleton of the world`s largest animal ever, the blue whale. This blue whale corpse washed ashore at Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1980. The skeleton is 72 feet long and weighs 6,000 pounds. When alive this whale weighed about 140,000 pounds. Blue whales can live to be 90 years of age. This one was about 25 when it died.

Particulars: Open daily 10am-5pm; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (3:00 p.m.), Christmas Day, New Years Day.

Admission: $10 adults; $7 teens/seniors; $6 children. Museum members and children under 2 are free. Free admission on the third Sunday of the month, except in June, July and August.

For information on public star parties and planetarium shows call 805-682-4711 ext. 405. For current events and programs call 805-682-4711

Directions: From the 101, take "Mission" exit. Drive to the end of "Mission" and turn left. Then turn right onto "Mission Canyon Road." Go past the Old Mission and then follow the brown signs to the Museum.