4.5 – 525 reviews • Museum
This regional aquarium and marine education facility offers guests hands-on encounters with life from the Santa Barbara Channel, including Swell Sharks, rays, sea stars, sea urchins, and anemones. On the wet deck, guests experiment like scientists by using oceanographic tools to sample the ocean and examine life below. Upstairs, guests can view mesmerizing jellies, Decorator Crabs, a California Two-Spot Octopus, soft corals, and other animals found in nearby waters. Life-size replicas of a Gray Whale mother and her calf preside over an unparalleled view of the coast towards East Beach, Montecito, and the spectacular Santa Ynez Mountains.
Located In: Stearns Wharf
Hours
| Friday | 10AM–5PM |
| Saturday | 10AM–5PM |
| Sunday | 10AM–5PM |
| Monday | 10AM–5PM |
| Tuesday | 10AM–5PM |
| Wednesday | 10AM–5PM |
| Thursday | 10AM–5PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address:
211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 962-2526
Website: https://www.sbnature.org/seacenter
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Sea Center – Stearns Wharf
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Review Summary
Robbie Duran
Also, they have jelly fish and some exotic fish upstairs.
Maria Rodriguez
Prices are very moderate and they give military discounts!
Duclan Ngo
The aquarium is incredibly small and not worth its price.
Brent Clavin
This is a great place to go for all ages. My wife and I brought our two boys (2, 4) and they loved this place. We went for the first time since they’ve had covid rules in place, but right now they have it set up to go through the whole facility one way. There’s touch tanks where you can feel a little shark and sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea stars. After that you go to a laboratory type area where an employee pulled some live crabs out of the ocean and teaches you about ocean things. Then you go upstairs and see more aquariums, some with black lights, and after that you see some exhibits of sea mammals. After that you go through the gift shop. We spent maybe 45-60 minutes there, and our boys have been asking to go back. It was perfect for them, and I recommend you going to experience it for yourself!
James L
Relatively small but has interactive displays which the kids love. Staff is super friendly and one went completely out of her way to feed the octopus so our kids could see it come out from behind a rock. Located on the pier (parking can be an issue but there’s a city lot nearby that’s a very short walk there).
ifeyanishaminya
I finally went to Sea Center yesterday after waiting for the museum to fully open back up. There are plenty of touch tanks on the first floor where you can touch leopard sharks, rays, sea cucumbers, starfish, and sea urchins. Although it is on the smaller side of aquariums/marine centers, I still had a great time here. 10/10!
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