Venue Rental

Yes!  The beautiful courtyards work well for both a ceremony and reception.

Contact the Venue Coordinator for date availability. The Museum reserves your date with a completed contract and check payment of full rental fee.

Events may begin at 4pm and must conclude by 10pm.

The grounds open at 9:00 am for your vendors.

Vendors are to be off-site by midnight unless prior arrangements have been made.

No, the Museum does not have any in-house equipment for events. Attached is the approved vendor list that will assist you in fulfilling your needs. We will, however, assist you with layout ideas.

If you are renting during the rainy season you should create a backup plan of tenting the event space.

Also depending upon on your guest count, the Casa Covarrubias may be used as a back-up plan as well.

Yes. Fees include a Museum representative the day of your event to assist with vendors, security, and custodial services.

Additional security staff will be provided if you are renting the Museum galleries or lobby.

For the bride, we have a stunning room available in our Covarrubias Adobe (1817) to get ready for the big day.

For the groom, we do not have a dedicated space however, we have additional spaces (The Penthouse or Covarrubias Living Room) that can be added to the rental.

All amplified music is allowed.

The site coordinator may request that the volume of music be turned down if there are complaints from neighbors. However, this is not a common issue.

Alcohol may be served by your caterer or licensed bar service listed (see Approved Vendors List).

Arrangements for the purchase of alcohol should be discussed with your caterer/bar service. The Museum requires clients to abide by ABC Regulations.

No. Self-catering is not permitted.

However, we are able to offer useful tips and proven resources to assist you in keeping your event within your budget.

You must use the listed rental and lighting vendors.

For caterers and event coordinators, you apply to use an outside vendor, but they will have to be pre-approved by the Venue Coordinator, at least 60 days prior to the event date.

For other services you may use outside vendors of your choice.

Onsite parking is limited to Museum staff, gallery visitors, your event vendors and your event satellite kitchen.

However, the Santa Barbara School District parking lot is conveniently located across the street and provides fifty spaces that are available on weeknights and weekends.

The applicant must provide a Certificate of Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000. This can be obtained through your home-owners policy or a private event insurance carrier such as Wedsafe.com.

Yes, a $1,000 refundable cleaning/damage deposit, a Certificate of Insurance covering $1,000,000 general liability (naming the Museum as additional-insured), and a list of your vendors is required 60 days prior to the event.

Your rental fee contributes directly to the community, educational and curatorial goals of the Museum.

We are proud to be one of Santa Barbara's only free museums.  Over 30,000 people, including many school children, visit each year to learn more about the history of their community!

** Note that booking rates will increase by $500 as of January 1, 2018.