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Ty Warner Sea Center Review

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Ty Warner Sea Center

Address: 211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA | Map It
Phone: 805/962-2526
www.sbnature.org

Category: Zoos/Aquariums
Location: Santa Barbara

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5

Fodor's Review:

A branch of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Sea Center specializes in Santa Barbara Channel marine life and conservation. In 2005 it reopened in a new, $6.5 million facility bearing the name of Ty Warner, Beanie Baby mogul and local resident, whose hefty donation helped the center complete the final stages of construction. The new Sea Center is small compared to aquariums in Monterey and Long Beach, but it's a fascinating, hands-on marine science laboratory that lets you participate in experiments, projects, and exhibits, including touch tanks. Haul up and analyze water samples, learn to identify marine mammals, and check out amazing creatures in the tide-pool lab and animal nursery. The two-story glass walls open to stunning ocean, mountain, and city views.

Cost: $8
Open: Daily 10-5

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by Gtoby from Los Angeles, CA on 11/30/07
My husband and I spent the Thanksgiving weekend in Santa Barbara and found a gem. The Ty Warner Sea Center is small but great for the entire family. I really wasn't up for a museum and wanted to spend the day shopping on State street. My children talked me into it and I think I had as much fun if not more fun than they did. They have an area where you can bring up sand from the bottom of the ocean and sift through it. We found all sorts of creatures that we examined under the microscope. They also have baby jellyfish, something I have never seen before. We will definitely be back again.