Volunteer at Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
**Events may have been canceled or postponed. Please contact the venue to confirm the event.
Date & Time
Tue, Mar 17 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Address (map)
113 Harbor Way, Suite 190
Venue (website)
S.B. Maritime Museum
At the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM), every visitor, exhibit, and harbor memory is part of a larger story — and volunteers help bring those stories to life.
SBMM is seeking new volunteers for its 2026 docent training class, a rewarding opportunity for anyone who loves the ocean, local history, or connecting with people.
Volunteers help welcome guests, interpret exhibits, support school field trips, assist at special events, and share the maritime stories of the Santa Barbara Channel.
Located on the Santa Barbara Harbor, SBMM features engaging exhibits that highlight the region’s rich maritime heritage — from historic seafaring and commercial fishing to navigation, ocean exploration, and the channel’s unique coastal environment.
Volunteers help visitors experience these stories firsthand through hands-on learning, fascinating artifacts, and personal connections that connect the community to the sea.
SBMM’s volunteer program is a wonderful way to learn more about maritime history.
Training includes Santa Barbara Channel history, exhibit interpretation, museum storytelling, and guest engagement — with guidance and encouragement from experienced staff and fellow volunteers.
In return, volunteers also enjoy volunteer appreciation events as they develop a deeper connection to Santa Barbara’s harbor community.
“Volunteers are truly the heart of our museum,” said SBMM Board President Alex Weinstein, M.D. “They play a huge role in creating great experiences for our visitors and in preserving Santa Barbara’s maritime heritage. This program gives volunteers a chance to make a real impact while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at our maritime history.”
Volunteer training begins March 17, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (113 Harbor Way, Suite 190, Santa Barbara, CA 93109).
The program includes an introduction to Santa Barbara Channel maritime history, behind-the-scenes exhibit interpretation, and hands-on training in guest services, education support, and special events.
