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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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
383 reviews
Excellent
193
Very good
141
Average
39
Poor
7
Terrible
3
GitchSup
Duluth, MN1,468 contributions
May 2022
We stopped here to take a break from our long drive and were pleasantly surprised. I had planned to stop for the Van Gogh exhibit and knew that I would need to pay a fee to see it (we are NARM members so the general museum is free), I was surprised at the number of masterpieces in such a small museum, it was utterly stunning. If you are going there to see the works they have on permanent collection there isn't much and it won't take you long to see it, but if you want to see the featured exhibit get a ticket in advance online as they sell out. As it turned out, this was one of the highlights of our whole vacation.
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frank Sories
San Francisco, CA243 contributions
Feb 2022
My spouse and I found ourselves with an afternoon free in SB, so we decided to spend most of it here. The museum itself is not very large, although a significant portion of the first floor was dedicated to what appears to be a fairly major Van Gogh exhibition; unfortunately we were two days early to be able to view it. The time we spent here was quite pleasant. The museum was closing two hours early for a large event, so they gave us our tickets for half price. We viewed the Asian art on the first floor, and the contemporary gallery on the second, as well as the two current photography exhibitions and a very interesting media technology installation.
This is not the Met, but the collections and exhibitions are well-curated and engaging. If you happen to be in SB and want to while away a couple of hours, especially on a rainy day, visit this museum, and don't skip the store, which is actually a (free) highlight.
This is not the Met, but the collections and exhibitions are well-curated and engaging. If you happen to be in SB and want to while away a couple of hours, especially on a rainy day, visit this museum, and don't skip the store, which is actually a (free) highlight.
Written March 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Boomertravelers_11
Chicago, IL83 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.
Victor L
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK718 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.
pldj m
171 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.
Bart C
Foster City, CA490 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.
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.
bjaneh
61 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.
5nn
Portland, OR281 contributions
Feb 2020
We happened to be in town for the Thursday Night Art Walk and enjoyed the art museum. There are some treasures here and worth visiting. We also saw young children involved in art projects during the evening event.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Road769244
Ogden, UT38 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.
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Santa Barbara Museum of Art - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Barbara Museum of Art
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art is open:
- Tue - Wed 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thu - Thu 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Fri - Sun 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Santa Barbara Museum of Art tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Santa Barbara Museum of Art tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Santa Barbara Museum of Art:
- (0.12 mi) Historic 2 BR remodeled home, just 3 blocks to State Street, restaurants and sho
- (0.12 mi) Cityscape - Penthouse Living in Downtown Santa Barbara
- (0.21 mi) Kimpton Canary Hotel Santa Barbara
- (0.35 mi) Palihouse Santa Barbara
- (0.31 mi) The Upham Hotel
- Restaurants near Santa Barbara Museum of Art:
- (0.02 mi) Hook & Press Donuts
- (0.03 mi) Satellite SB
- (0.07 mi) Jeannine's Bakery
- (0.09 mi) Savoy Cafe & Deli
- (0.10 mi) Arigato Sushi