Santa Barbara - Ty Warner Sea Center

The Sea Center in Santa Barbara is located on Stearns Wharf. The center is a cooperative venture of the Marine Sanctuary and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Visitors enjoy a glimpse of life in the Santa Barbara Channel as well as a kelp forest and touch the spines of a sea urchin. Interactive exhibits include sampling and testing ocean water, studying animal behavior, and examining microscopic marine life.

This is a particularly good place for families with small children who can touch live specimens, even small sharks, in the touch pool. You can see what a tidal pool looks like from underneath through the windows of a huge tank.

Exhibits are geared toward learning and hands on experiences, making it a fun place for the curious. There are both permanent and temporary exhibitions so check the calendar to see what is new or up coming.