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    Moxi

    4.5 (230 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Vee P.

    The Moxi is a fun place to take the nieces and nephews. I've been here a few times throughout the years and it's a great time for young kids, my older niece still enjoys going as well because it's fun to play. It's usually pretty clean and well kept, and there's different experiences to have throughout the building. Toddler Tuesday is nice because you can get in an hour earlier, but it's also super crazy crowded. Pro tip is to go during lunch because it's usually calmer. Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the train tracks.

    Ahh, where I currently live and where I currently am. Wind tubs to carry fuzzy balls.
    James Y.

    Moxi is a great place for a young child to really explore and have fun with science, without having to learn all of the reasons why certain items interact or respond the way they do. Situated just blocks away from downtown, Moxi is picturesque--especially if you go to the roof top garden! The views towards the ocean are breathtaking. 3 floors of well placed interactive activities for your little ones to explore and pique their interest and feed into their curiosity, Moxi will capture your little ones' attention for hours! Our little one didn't want to leave. Moxi is pricey! We entered on a reciprocal membership, but the standard ticket price is a bit high. No parking except for street parking (we couldn't find any lots). But the location is amazing if you can get parking and up to the third floor.

    Thina C.

    A fantastic place where children can explore and unleash their creativity. They have the freedom to run, play, experiment, and innovate! With three floors to discover, we moved through it quickly, yet it was all the more enjoyable. The top floor captured my heart, offering a breathtaking view. Not worth the $20 though.

    Kislev A.

    What an amazing and beautiful children's museum! And it is conveniently located right here on State Street, adjacent to the Funk Zone area and only a couple of blocks away from Strearns Wharf. Warning: I came with my 15 and 10 year olds and they were too old for this museum. My kids are also amazing so they humored me and didn't act too cool and played at every play station even though the other kids in the line are 5 and 7 year olds. Fun. Beautiful. Educational. Jam-packed. Varied. Not the cheapest entrance fee.

    Robert D.

    Went to the MOXI with our kids today. They had fun exploring and running around to all the exhibits. I thought it was interesting. Watching a mechanical drum beat to the sound of my wife's and son's heartbeat was cool. Finding out that I am a loud walker not so cool. Would I go again, probably not but it was fun to go with my family.

    Carmen L.

    We walked by when we were walking to the pier and my daughter really wanted to check it out. I was worried it might be a little too childish for a pre teen, but end up we both had a good time and spent about 1-1.5 hours there. And also one cool thing is you can send back your projects to your email (I have been to museum that charge extra for that). I will recommend if you have kids and want to get something to do outside than the beach to entertain the kids.

    3rd floor
    Crystal M.

    Filled with sensory play & wonder, curiosity of fun awaits you on each floor at Moxi. There are 3 levels which consists of interactive experiences for every age, toddlers included! I came along with my daughter's kindergarten class to chaperone and it was not what I had expected. It is very cool that they have a museum to exist that question young minds to think, to build, to create, yet at the same time have fun with it! Field trips do not include the workshop on the first floor. The person did not explain nor did I question why at the time as my little group were a little dejected but quickly forgot about it once they headed outdoor. There is a little gift shop located next to the front desk. Parking is a little difficult but then again, where isn't it when in SB. We walked across the train tracks to sit on the lawn for lunch and headed back to school. Noticed there is Starbucks right across the Main Street and restaurants to dine in if you don't have lunch.

    Moxi saved our trip to Santa Barbara . we got this week the only 2 raining days in the week and the city do not offer much on raining days . staff is super welcome . they have this great create your own craft area and all the sensory activities are great for kids from 5 to 13 like mine . i recommend to go to third floor for amazing views of the city .

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    Ask the Community - Moxi

    Is it expensive?

    Adult (13+) $15 Child (3-12) $10 2 & Under $0

    The website suggests to purchase tickets in advance. Should this be done? What happens if you're late and miss the time that you advance purchase for?

    Maybe buy a head of time if your going at peak hours. Otherwise its perfectly ok to purchase on site, once you show up. The staff is pretty relaxed there and they'll still let you in if you arrive late, if you do decide to get tickets ahead of time.

    Hi! How far is the museum to the beach? Is it walking distance?

    Yes, it's walking distance (around 10 mins?).

    I have heard about the rooftop parties. Have those taken place yet? Are they fun?

    Hi Jenna - you must be referring to our wildly popular adults-only nights at the museum! Our next Afterparty event is scheduled for Friday, October 20 and tickets go on sale on Thursday, September 28 at 10 AM. Our first three Afterparty events have… 

    Does it have activities for kids around 1?

    You will certainly have to help the little one participate, but yes there is so much to do down there. It's worth at the very least, a visit!

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    Review Highlights - Moxi

    Bring plenty of sunscreen in the summer because you'll want to spend a lot of time on the roof sky garden.

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    Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

    Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

    4.2
    (147 reviews)

    Had such a fun time at the aquarium! The staff were super nice and welcoming from the moment we…read morewalked in. Everyone was helpful, answering questions and explaining things without making it feel rushed. You can tell they actually enjoy what they do. It's also really affordable, which makes it such a good activity whether you're with friends, family, or on a date. For the price, you honestly get a lot out of it. The best part was definitely the touch tanks. We got to touch sharks, starfish, and sea anemones, which was such a cool experience. Feeling the smooth skin of the sharks and the slightly sticky texture of the anemones was actually so interesting. The staff guide you on how to gently interact with them, so it feels safe for both you and the animals. The whole place has a chill, coastal vibe that makes it really enjoyable to walk through. It's not overwhelmingly big, so you can take your time at each exhibit and actually read about the sea life. There's such a variety of colorful fish and marine animals, and it's fun seeing everything up close. Overall, such a wholesome and interactive experience. Cheap, hands-on, and run by genuinely kind people. Definitely worth visiting if you're in the area.

    Beautiful museum with wonderful exhibits and friendly staff. Ample free parking. There is a water…read morearea/the creek where kids can play. Loved the dinosaurs outside the in garden. Do not skip on the butterfly exhibit!

    Santa Barbara Museum of Art

    Santa Barbara Museum of Art

    4.1
    (150 reviews)

    Really lovely museum. Currently under construction, but had some great exhibits open. I got a…read moredocent tour which I was very happy about. The pieces of art were beautiful, and the docent was able to go into shocking detail about each one. On top of all that, the price was really reasonable for what you get here. If I lived in the area I'd absolutely become a member, huge fan!

    Summer in Santa Barbara is beautiful...and absolutely overrun with tourists. I mean, they had every…read morerestaurant PACKED, every parking space TAKEN, every dessert shop FULL, and every sidewalk OVERFLOWING. Ironically, as tourists ourselves (LOL, sort of), we needed a break from THE TOURISTS! My best friend Catherine suggested we duck into the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and I'm glad she did. It's not a massive museum. Just two floors. But hear me when I say it punches above its weight. On the day we went, there was a thoughtful and curated mix of Southeast Asian and Indian artifacts, contemporary works, digital installations and enough classic pieces to keep serious art lovers happy. There were also funny art pieces that reminded everyone that art is allowed to have a sense of humor, too. I appreciated the balance. One of my favorite exhibits there let us enter our birth information and it generated our birth charts. Whether you believe in astrology or not, it was fun to interact with the art instead of just looking at it. I learned some cool stuff about myself looking at my birth chart. Hey...If you need a break from the crowds, this is the place. It's peaceful, cool inside, has clean restrooms and it's just the right size to explore without feeling overwhelmed. You won't lose your whole day here. You'll simply enjoy the bit of time you dedicate to visiting. Sometimes the best attraction in a tourist town is the one that gives you a break from other people. Consider.

    Mission Santa Barbara

    Mission Santa Barbara

    4.1
    (366 reviews)

    I hadn't been to the Mission in years. This year I went to the Madonnari Chalk Festival - what a…read moregorgeous time. My mom and I had the best of times! Art, Music, food and just sooooo much fun! I danced so much and got to meet many wonderful artists. I def will be back next year and make a whole weekend out of it. I live nearby but I think, next year I'll stay a few days in SB. My mom is already looking forward to it!

    Mission Santa Barbara is a historic California landmark that also doubles as a museum. They even…read morehave actual mass in the mission, as well as Sunday service. It is a beautiful space filled with so much historic value. It was founded in 1786!! We got there around 3pm and purchased the Self Guided tour for $17 per person, which was a little high in my opinion. You walk through the museum and Mission grounds at your own pace and enjoy it on your own time. There are QR Codes that provide information to go along with your tour. We checked out the museum, garden, mausoleum, and even sat in the church for about 30 minutes just enjoying the beauty and peace. There is a gift shop you exit through that sells some lovely items such as shirts, sweaters, magnets, artwork, sculptures, candles and so much more. We bought a nice sweater with Santa Barbara written on it, a beautiful candle in a glass, and a small bookmark with a prayer symbol on it. They even have snacks/refreshments. They close at 5pm but sell their last ticket at 4pm. Parking is also free, which is always a plus. This was our third time here over the last 2 decades, and I'm not sure it's necessary to come back again. Once you've seen it, you've seen it.

    Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

    Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

    4.2
    (375 reviews)

    Love love love! Easy to spend the day here and I recommend…read moreit. But also fairly easy to get to, so it's perfect for a meditative reset time in the middle of a busy day. This space is so special. Lots to explore. Lots to learn. Lots of care and love here. Don't want to say too much. Just go and see and be surrounded by the trees, flowers, rocks, peace, and magic. Fantastic gift shop too!

    My son and I have been here to this Botanic Garden twice before about 10 years ago and decided to…read morerevisit it this morning on our trip to Santa Barbara. We headed over around 11:30AM, right after checking out from our hotel. They are celebrating their 100th Anniversary. WOW!! Admission is $25 for adults and a bit pricey for what you get, in my opinion. It's definitely a beautiful place full of nature, greenery, fresh air, peace and zen. I was a little disappointed at the lack of flowers in the whole property. There were only some poppies on the meadow where you walk in and that was it. I also didn't like how there are literally no rangers or anyone to help you around the trails. I understand you are just on your own, but it's dangerous that there's no one to help you if something goes wrong. No First Aid Kit, either. I also remember them having a big, beautiful waterfall on the trail and it wasn't there this time. Why? They have free parking and there are some restrooms at the entrance and we saw one on the trail. They have a very nice gift shop with some snacks/refreshments, books, magnets, shirts, candles, artificially looking flowers, etc... We bought few gifts that my son and I liked. Got a nice fresh, clean scented Mango/Pineapple candle, ($25), an organic rose water spray to splash all over your body ($17), an interesting cooler can with crystal water that keeps your water cold in the fridge ($8). A 16 oz. can & a tiny white heart shaped magnet ($5.20), insanely expansive! I may or may not revisit in the future.

    Santa Barbara Historical Museum

    Santa Barbara Historical Museum

    4.4
    (39 reviews)

    What a great hidden gem of a museum! Family and I stumbled here by accident because my son needed…read moreto find a restroom after shopping at Warbler Records across the street. It's somewhat off the beaten path as it's few blocks away from Downtown Santa Barbara. That's probably why the place was fairly empty during our visit. I love the adobe architecture of the building. It almost looks like a small mission turned into a museum. The front entrance to the museum faces De La Guerra Street but we entered from the side entrance through its beautiful courtyard. It was empty on the day of our visit but I can see this place getting busy if people rent the courtyard for weddings and events. The museum isn't that big but there were enough exhibits to keep us busy for about an hour. It was great seeing the history of Santa Barbara through its regular exhibits as well as some special ones. Admission is free but my wife and I felt compelled to make a donation because we loved the place so much. We saw a glass donation box by its gift shop so we put some cash in there to support the museum. Will try to make this a regular stop on our future visits to Santa Barbara.

    My partner and I were looking for something to do on a lazy Saturday in town. We have already…read moreexplored much of what the Central Coast has to offer so we decided to revisit an attraction. The Santa Barbara Historical Museum came to mind after noticing their Project Fiesta exhibit was going on. It also just so happens that Yelp's "Travel Like A Local" campaign is going on simultaneously, so the timing was impeccable. This museum is a hidden gem somewhat off the beaten path. It is a few blocks from downtown State Street and two from the historic Presidio. Most tourists unfortunately miss it. Yet, this beautiful adobe building with a humongous boat anchor in front is worth visiting. Heck, there's no reason to not enter since it's completely free to the public (donations appreciated)! Upon entering, to the left is a gift shop with many local books and souvenirs. Yet it's easy to be distracted by the gorgeous central courtyard with a water fountain as its focal point. This is a popular venue for weddings, dances and other celebrations. Be sure to get a photo of an original Camino Real Bell, the marker used to connect the California Missions. There is also the Glenhill Library here. Many don't know that if you sneak out the back gate, you can step back into time with dirt ground, lush fruit trees, and La Casa Covarrubias. The museum also features a permanent exhibit called The Story of Santa Barbara. It's the perfect introduction to the Central Coast's long history of the native Chumash people, the influence of Mexico and the Spanish, the 1925 Earthquake and more. Upon my most recent visit was an unexpected discovery, an exhibit on Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community. I knew of the historic Mattei's Tavern, Inn and Stagecoach Stop after it was recently renovated and became part of a new luxury Auberge Resort in Los Olivos. Little did I know that he became a well-known artist. His first free-sketch was of Leutze's 1851 painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware at only 15 years of age! Prominent guests of the Tavern recognized his skill and sponsored his studies in San Francisco and New York. To this day you can see his art on the walls of the Tavern, but also here. Another current temporary exhibit is of Old Spanish Days/Fiesta, Santa Barbara's pride and joy. 2023 is its 99th anniversary! I had no idea that Fiesta was originally started to celebrate the opening of the Lobero Theatre. To this day, it remains the oldest running theater in California. The photos of almost a century caught by camera and shared at this exhibit are spectacular. All in all, whether it's your first visit to Santa Barbara or you're a life-long native, a visit to this museum is a must!

    Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

    Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

    4.5
    (50 reviews)

    Very underrated museum, in my opinion. We used a Groupon and paid $10 for two adult tickets, but…read moreeven at full price ($12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 6-17, and free for 5 and under), it would still be worth it. The museum is really beautiful and interactive, with a few activities that are great for little kids, and it takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to go through. I learned a lot about Santa Barbara's history, and my 5-year-old really enjoyed it. The virtual fishing experience was especially fun and actually feels like you're trying to catch a real fish. The harbor views from the 4th floor are amazing too, and that area is free to the public. Parking is free for 90 minutes, but depending on the time of day, you may need a little patience to find a spot since it can get crowded. Staff and volunteers were also very friendly and welcoming.

    What a fantastic museum!…read more First of all very informative, clean, and taken care of with pride. This is perfect to learn about Santa Barbara history, the maritime history, and cultural history too (ie: surfing!). It's really curated with immense care and has numerous interactive elements that are perfect for kids. All in all can't say more great things about this place and highly recommend going here and getting a bite to eat nearby after. As a complete side note you can buy art there as well with proceeds going to the museum. If I had a bit more cheddar I'd buy it all! Really fantastic art work in there. We walked here so I can't comment on parking but there are lots all around the marina! It's probably only a half mile from downtown so definitely walkable with a nice pathway to the harbor! (Just go to the water by heading west on State Street. Once you hit the pier take the walkway on the beach to your right)

    Casa del Herrero

    Casa del Herrero

    4.6
    (29 reviews)

    I came here for an event today so really my review is tailored more towards the events that Casa is…read moreholding but also to acknowledge the fabulous grounds and building though I admit I don't have full context for the history or background. I would definitely come back here to learn about the house and to take the guided tour. This wasn't the purpose for me coming today but the gentleman who works here noted that it's a great tour and I know friends who have enjoyed learning about the family and the history of the house, getting a deeper dive of information. I came here with some friends for their first hosted event Sound Bath. A wellness day if you will. From start to finish everything was very organized and thoughtful. The staff hosting the event and the spiritual wellness guide and sound healer was wonderful. Everyone was nice and you felt welcomed. Not pretentious and just very positive and good vibes. We had a nice group and everyone was respectful and on time for the sound bath so it went off without issue. It was a relaxing experience and the grounds were very nice to hold this outdoor event. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining, we found an area with shade, very nice. Very faint sounds of cars in the distance here and there which wasn't ideal but out of their control and once things settled in you really couldn't hear much external noise. After the relaxing sound bath we were offered tea and light pastry snacks. I opted for a water and began exploring the grounds instead of partaking in the refreshments. The grounds are lush and lovely, very zen. Loved the beautiful trees and walkways with small fountains and running water. It was green and pretty all around from the recent rains. Definitely a great location for events and to learn a little SB history. I will definitely do my research and come back again soon.

    Yikes, this is an expensive tour but it is a rarity to see a period house with most of the original…read moreoccupants furnishings etc. The tours are docent led and very informative. If you like these types of tours, this one is quite worth it.

    Moxi - museums - Updated August 2026

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