Santa Barbara Historical Museum 136 East De La Guerra Street • Santa Barbara • CA 93101

The rental at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum covers up to 250 guests, six event hours (4pm–10pm), load-in from 9am and strike until midnight, three outdoor courtyards, a bridal room, four single-stall restrooms, power and water, a day-of museum site manager, gallery access and a ceremony rehearsal during museum hours. Plan separately for event insurance, a refundable security deposit, a day-of coordinator, catering, bar, florals, lighting and rentals like tables, chairs and a kitchen tent.

Yes. The Santa Barbara Historical Museum has three interconnected private courtyards beside a Spanish-era adobe in the heart of downtown, so your ceremony, cocktails and dinner can all happen in one place. Guests can also wander into the museum galleries, and you can add private after-hours gallery access with docent-led tours.

Some of both. At the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, catering and alcohol must come from the museum's preferred vendors, and you'll need to hire a day-of coordinator. The museum's brochure includes its required vendor list. Lighting, rentals and other vendors aren't included in the rental, so you'll bring those in to match your vision.

At the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, the rental is $12,500 on Saturday, $8,500 on Friday or Sunday and $5,500 Monday–Thursday. Low-season rates drop to $8,000 on Saturday, $5,000 on Friday or Sunday and $2,500 Monday–Thursday. More than 250 guests starts at $1,000 extra, and Santa Barbara residents can ask about weekday and last-minute local rates.

Your Santa Barbara Historical Museum rental includes six event hours, from 4pm to 10pm, with load-in starting at 9am and strike ending at midnight. An earlier start may be possible with approval, though alcohol service can't exceed six consecutive hours. Amplified music is allowed indoors and outdoors.

For weddings under 75 guests, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum offers the Casa Covarrubias Sala, attached to the Bridal Room, as an indoor rain contingency that doubles as a cocktail and lounge area. Ask the events team for pricing and about weather options for larger weddings in the courtyards.

Yes. Every rental at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum includes a bridal room. For more space, you can add the Penthouse Boardroom above the museum for $650, available from 10am, with a private bathroom, a full fridge and a balcony, or rent the Casa Covarrubias Sala next to the Bridal Room as an extra prep area.

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is a cherished cultural landmark in historic downtown Santa Barbara, where three private courtyards and a Spanish-era adobe evoke the romance of early California. Your guests can explore the museum's galleries, and you can add private after-hours access with docent-led tours for $250 per hour after 5pm.