Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara

The Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara offers tourists an escape into the present moment of artistic expression. Established in 1976 as the Contemporary Arts Forum and renamed in 2012, the museum is a non-collecting center that specializes in rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, typically featuring 3–5 major shows a year alongside more than 30 public programs.

Its terrazzo halls and bright galleries exude an inviting atmosphere perfectly suited to those seekingdynamic cultural experiences just steps from local cafés and boutiques of the Paseo Nuevo shopping center.

The museum also hosts a rich program roster, featuring artist talks, community workshops, teen collectives, and outreach efforts that enliven both local and tourist audiences.