This place is adorable and perfect for kids to discover, imagine, and explore. There are so many…read morehands-on exhibits where kids can pretend to be a banker, chef, grocery store clerk, astronaut, veterinarian, and more. They can also play in themed areas like kayaking, the beach, fishing, and the Wild West. There's a huge arts and crafts section with tons of materials to create with, and kids can even plant a small plant to take home. The museum also has an air station and an outdoor play area with water chutes, which adds even more fun. The price is very reasonable, and the snacks available for purchase are affordable as well. A thoughtful bonus was that they even offered free formula. Overall, it's a fantastic spot for families with young kids.

Kids had a great time! Ages 1.5 and 3... so much for them to do and see! We will definitely be…read moregoing back soon. And what a great deal, only $7 per person!

Their times conflict on their website and what's posted on the outside of the building. Either you…read moreare open at 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm. Winter is over, according to the website, you should be open at 12:00 pm. Also, they will not let you use their restroom. You need to walk across the street and use the restroom at the library. Even with the restroom door open and toilet in site, they will close the door and say it's not for you.

A tiny small history museum that is run by volunteers. It's free but they accept donations. Might…read morebe hard to spot but it's pretty much a house with viewable things inside. You will probably be done in 10-15 minutes, it's that small but still enjoyable if you're in Santa Maria looking for things to do.

Not one of those rich and modern museums but the Santa Maria Historical Museum is a small gem that…read moremost visitors likely might miss. If you like finding unusual small treasures off the beaten paths then this place might be your cup of tea. It is certainly the only one of its kind -- in a small unassuming office building, the little museum probably houses the many pieces that make up the not so well known past of Santa Maria! Interesting antique furniture, items of past daily life, equipment of various trades.... are just some of the things you would find here. Musicians or music lovers may enjoy many of the old instruments on display. After visiting the many wineries, or, if you're not a wine person, a stop by this place may add some interesting aspects to your trip.

11/12/2016 Although…read morethis museum is small in size it makes up for it in sheer volume of information kept about this impressive tiny town. I've included what stood out to me historically and people that you are simply better off for knowing about their life and accomplishments with my photographs. This in no way scratch's the surface of information provided inside this museum. You could spend hours and hours just reading the text books. For more information visit: http://santamariahistory.com/permanent.html We missed the usual docent that accompanies you throughout the museum lecturing about the history. But no matter the two gentlemen that were there that day did an excellent job of narrating Santa Maria history. Thank you so much!

A little flight museum here in Santa Maria. Technically I believe this place is free but they…read morekindly ask for donations ($6 per person) if you can. They also accept credit card if you don't have cash. Museum itself, it's small but good. Easily can be done in 30 minute to an hour. There are 3ish sections and one being outdoors. You get to see real old airplanes outside and also in the hangar. There is a 3rd room after the outside section that could be missed so definitely make sure you look at everything. Overall it's good for what it is.

It's not a huge space, but the amount of airplanes and history they fit in here is absolutely…read morestunning! They do not charge a set admission, by donation only. I would challenge you to count the numbers of airplanes inside the hanger, because I counted more than 50.

This wonderful vestige of local history serves to mark on the "right of ways…read more" of the old functional, but not scenic, Pacific Coast Railway. In other words, that old now defunct railroad was the very first railroad in the Central Valley & predates the wider rail that the Coast Starlight Express/ Amtrak uses from WA to OR, to CA, & then the SF Bay area then all the way down the coast to SB then LA, much of which either hugs the coast or parallels various sections of roads such as 101, El Camino Real, Hwy #1, etc. Since SLO & Santa Barbara Counties were essentially landlocked by geography back then, the first rails were actually started at Hanford Pier in Avila Beach. People would take a steamship from SF to Avila. The first Tram was built by Ah Louis, a SLO-town Chinese gentlemen of great distinction. The Tram was power by horses & then people transferred to a coach to get to SLO. Ah Louis, who's building still stands in downtown SLO, also later organized Chinese laborers to later build the rail system that first went from Avila to SLO. The later amazing tunnels & more advance railroad by yet another company [the Southern Pacific Railroad which today handles more familiar Amtrack trains] with wider gauge/rails was extended down from Santa Margarita down the Cuesta Grade and later competed with PCR, was also built by Ah Louis & Chinese laborers. Indeed there is a large bronze stylized statue of two Chinese railroad workers, laboring on the railroad at today's Amtrak station, in SLO. The Ah Louis store still stands as a historic building with a plaque, but it is used for purposes other than history. In fact, much of SLO's downtown so-called Chinatown has been progressive destroyed over many decades, & little remains beyond the Ah Louis building, an obscure mural on the side of a parking lot, and a absurd Chop Suey Neon sign [at a hotel that does not serve Chop Suey], which obviously did not exist in Ah Louis's time. All excavated artifacts are either stored somewhere else or have been forgotten. I am not aware of any display of Chinese historic artifacts from that era in SLO. Anyway, the earlier narrow gauge rail system was gradually extended first down to Arroyo Grande, to Nipomo [which formed the nucleus of this town], to Santa Maria, Los Alamos, & finally to Los Olivos. Passengers at the end of the line back then would stay overnight at the Mattie Tavern [still in use] & Hotel in Los Olivos & then take a stagecoach to Santa Barbara the next day. Branches of this narrow gauge [or 3 foot wide narrow rail] would also extend to Guadalupe & Betteravia, westward on the Coast & toward Sisquoc East. Much later the Sugar Factory & Co. town of Betteravia became a rare ghost town in 1966. After much of the oil was exhausted in other areas, they also declined. The West branch was used for all kinds of things ranging from Sugar Beets/Sugar to Oil. Sisquoc had lots of oil fields which were discovered all over, but like so many other places that discovered Gold, Black Gold, or precious materials, it was often boom and then bust. While there is one building said to have been at one time a depot for the PCR train system a few block away from this landmark, I cannot confirm it. There appears to be dozens of past & present rail systems in CA alone. There is even a Santa Maria Valley rail system & an organization that keep that information alive. https://friends-smvrr.org/index.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Valley_Railroad Sadly, not much remains of the Pacific Coast Railway, except for maybe one lone locomotive that may be in Oregon, the remains of a station, and right of ways, that have been repurposed as gas line right of ways. Here & there, old rails may be buried under roads & can be still detected by metal detectors. Sometimes erosion of new roads, reveal underlying rails, but the vast majority of metal artifacts was used as scrap long ago. Here and there such groups as the SMVRR do go on outings to see what traces that they can find and get special permission to go onto private lands to explore. The SLO Railway Museum near the Amtrak station is helpful. Ref. : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Coast_Railway https://www.thirdrail.com/ttrpcrr.htm [..."Oil was first struck in March of 1900 in the Husna Valley. Later again in Arroyo Grande at 500 feet, but these strikes were insufficient to be profitable until 1901 when the Western Oil Company brought in a well on the Careaga Ranch at 200 barrels a day. So great was the activity around Graciosa Station that a new town was laid out one mile to the North. The town was named "Orcutt" in honor of W. W. Orcutt the Chief Geologist for the Union Oil Company...."]. I am by no means knowledgable on these historical topics. Sadly, as time goes on, more is forgotten, destroyed, or even distorted. At least some take it upon themselves to preserve some history. To those individuals, I thank you!

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.

Home, home again! Check for food events, public welcome for meals! And they're GOOD!!read more

This small, yet cozy American Legion Post is frequently a stop for the Wifey and I. Wifey is a…read morelocal (from Orcutt) and we'll sometimes see folks that she knows from the community. There's always a very friendly attendance inside and whenever I visit, I try to get everyone a round of drinks, as it's the least I can do. If you happen to be in the area, there are a LOT of local attractions within short walking distance, swing on by and say "hello" to our Veterans. Here is a little history about this post: https://centennial.legion.org/california/post534?p=about

As one enters the Deprise Brescia Art Gallery, one can see and feel the positive energy and vibes…read moreemanating from the artwork inside. This studio features many powerful pieces of artwork from various local artists, however the owner's artwork dominates the interior space. Deprise Brescia, the owner of this woman-owned gallery, is an extremely talented artist full of positive energy. Her works are created with a thorough knowledge of transformational energy incorporating history, New Age and metaphysical aspects in her art. Many of her works gave rise to interesting conversations with her. The gallery offers a wide variety of art objects & creations, as well as individual crystals, stone works and jewelry.

Deprise Brescia Art Gallery has extraordinary, unique works of art, from gorgeous jewelry to…read morepaintings and sculptures. One exceptional artist uses broken glass shard to create adorable fox terriers with amazing realistic expressions! I'm enjoying the Encaustic painting (using melted beeswax) I purchased there. Everyone there was so personable, interesting, and fun to interact with. I lost my step tracker and the owner Carlotta mailed it to me one-day delivery after her daughter crawled under the desk and found it! Amazing customer service!

I am about to ship off to Air Force basic training in a couple days and that's all thanks to…read moreSergeant Horton and how much she helped me and guided me through this process of joining the Air Force. She was also such a great person to talk to about really anything and very kind. I had no issues working with her and did a great job getting me into the career I want and also had a very cool office space of just awards and like pictures I kept looking at whenever I had an appointment with her .So definitely choose Sergeant Horton if you're interested in joining.

SSgt Horton is a great recruiter that listens very well and shows she cares. Went in with a…read moredifficult background due to a previous failed drug test and she is going ahead with the waiver application anyway. Not sure if it'll get approved but a very friendly environment all together and a very friendly and kind recruiter. Highly recommend.

First time to the air fest. Arrived before opening time. Saw that there was plenty of parking…read more Long line formed to the gate but when opened at 9:00 AM, line moved very quickly. Everything about the fest was well organized by the organizers Planes of Fame. Plenty of aircraft on the ground plus aircraft that were going to actually fly. There were plenty of food booth choices. Shout out to Oak & Smoke BBQ who by going the extra mile by provided a free sample. That sold me. Same thing with the Kettle Corn people. Free sample put the hook in me. The display in the air was awesome, from vintage war planes to the A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) and the F-18 Super Hornet. Be careful with the Super Hornet "Sneak Pass". Just when you think it's done flying, it comes in quietly from behind and literally screams over you. My ears are still ringing! All in all, highly recommend!!!