Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This museum, founded in 1941, houses a prestigious and varied collection of modern and ancient art plus a special gallery for children.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
384 reviews
Excellent
193
Very good
141
Average
40
Poor
7
Terrible
3
Victor L
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK1,127 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
Disappointing. When I came there's a Van Gogh exhibition. I didn't book a ticket and it was sold out for the day I arrived. I went for the general admission as I'm here which is $10 which is the usual admission price. The problem I've with this is they have closed 10 out of 18 galleries for Van Gogh. I struggle to see how the museum can justify just a small selection for the fee. The general collection consists of Asian art and Sani Visalli photographs and a small number of modern art. The $10 is ok but such a small selection of work to see I'm not sure if was really worth the price or more importantly the time. I was at the LACMA yesterday, at just over twice the price I was definitely getting more than twice the amount I saw here today.
Written March 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bart C
Foster City, CA485 contributions
Jul 2021
A lot of the museum was closed due to refitting and probably a holdover from pandemic restrictions. So I don't know what I missed seeing only one floor. Some good pieces, but very eclectic collection without any discernable focus. Since it was free and air conditioned and I do love even a few pieces of Impressionist work any time, it was worth the walk and the stop. However, unless they are having some particular exhibition you'd love, I wouldn't say make a journey to visit this one. If in SB, then go right ahead, it's right off State St.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boomertravelers_11
Chicago, IL77 contributions
Apr 2022
The current exhibit is very well done, with a number of Van Gogh paintings interspersed with work from his peers. The museum was not terribly crowded, and the docents were well-informed. Patrons were courteous and the building is impressive.
Written April 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bjaneh
94 contributions
Dec 2021
It's not the Met or the Louvre, but there are some nice Japanese prints and nineteenth century oils and less impressive modern pieces. The renovated building is splendid. Worth a visit, but 45 minutes is ample. There's a huge museum store next to it.
Written December 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pldj m
185 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
This museum is not big. Doesn't have enough space to show lots of collection. As soon as you walk into the main hall, full of paintings hanging around the wall, from the top to the bottom, you couldn't enjoy to watch one by one, looks like no organization. This is only one negative thing. They do have many master arts, give yourself at least one and half hours to stay.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
couponmommy
Los Angeles, CA45 contributions
Apr 2022
Went to see the Van Gough exhibit and is was simply wonderful! Great art by Van Gough and the artists and authors whom he was inspired by. It is a totally manageable size, well laid out, the staff was friendly, it's not overly crowded, and even the regular exhibits are very lovely and educational. Lovely way to spend a couple of hours!
Written May 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Road769244
Ogden, UT40 contributions
Feb 2022
Great art museum! I'm not especially an 'art' person but I really enjoyed this museum. The building itself is lovely and the variety of art was very interesting. The gift shop next door had many, many lovely items.
Written March 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christa R
Santa Ynez, CA124 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
Its a nice museum that has lovely variety of art donated by many families in the area. Its located right downtown and is an easy two hour visit . It doesn't compete with a major metropolitan museum - nor would I expected it to be.
Written February 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KTSB
Philadelphia, PA173 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
The museum has a very nice, but relatively small collection on display. They have a family activity room on the ground floor that is free and a very nice gift shop and restaurant.
Written July 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandbar2016
Gilroy, CA109 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Museum is under construction, and because of that, it is free. Wonderful docent gave us a half hour tour, which was quite educational. Saw paintings by Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh. 45 minutes to tour the gallery that is open. I want to return when they have finished the renovation.
Written April 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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