"This museum was one of our stops on our tour is Santa Barbara. It has some interesting exhibits and collections and they are displayed in interesting ways. For example, we enjoyed the historic photos of downtown from the turn of the century projected on the walls of the museum. Past the museum gift shop is the Edward Borein Gallery with an excellent collection of his works. The museum is accessible, and the displays are thoughtfully done for accessibility. Street parking. The museum is also available for events and it has a beautiful courtyard for weddings!"

Tatiana Hoover

"Lots of information and relics from Santa Barbara' s history and some stories about the influential family who shaped the community. Largest collection of the fiestas posters of Santa barbara and its changing art through time. Lastly, a large collection of Edward Borein's artworks and some memorabilia from the Santa Barbara artist. It's a whole room of exhbit dedicated to him."

Town Traveller

"I thought it might be helpful to future bride and grooms who may be considering getting married at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum to hear about this space from a different perspective than what you may typically read about in reviews. I would love to offer the light and lines perspective of how the Santa Barbara Historical Museum unfolds from a wedding day experience and how it presents in photography.

As someone who sees spaces in terms of light and composition, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum captures the authentic rustic elegance that Santa Barbara is known for. The property first unfolds and presents itself first with the more intimate of the two courtyards. The pergola archway with green foliage crawling throughout the thick wooden beams is the focal point to the space and makes for a beautiful ceremony location. The layers of green photograph incredibly well under this archway in either direction. I’ve photographed weddings here where the guests face the pergola and also weddings in a rotated orientation where the guests line either side of the pergola with the couple at the far end. The sunlight at this location moves in the direction of the larger courtyard, so either ceremony orientation looks spectacular.

There are so many fun layers of Spanish themes to layer in to my photographs; from the fountain in the entrance courtyard, to the Spanish overhangs and architecture, to the succulents and landscaping that runs throughout the property. One of my favorite spaces to photograph couples for golden hour is just around the corner to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. You can see the wall textures and architectural layers in the photos I posted. Everything about this space photographs Santa Barbara’s rustic elegance. I absolutely LOVE photographing at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum!"

Matt Roberts