On the harborfront, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum pays homage to the city’s rich maritime history. The museum features fascinating exhibits on surfing, Channel Islands ranches, Chumash Indians, fishing and diving equipment, military history, model ships, antique instruments, and historical photos. Changing exhibits complement the collection, and the Munger Theater shows maritime-related movies and documentaries. This sea-themed museum is particularly fun for children, with scavenger hunts, a working periscope, and other interactive exhibits. Photographers can snap some beautiful photos of the harbor and city from the top-floor viewing deck.
After exploring the museum, the surroundingĀ Santa Barbara Harbor is a lovely spot for a stroll, and visitors can wander along the breakwater and look for harbor seals. A couple of doors down from the museum, Brophy Bros. is a long-time favorite Santa Barbara restaurant, serving fresh seafood, with wonderful views of sailboats bristling in the harbor.
