Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum in Santa Maria

4.7 (123) 705 S McClelland St, Santa Maria, CA 93454, United States

Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum image

Categories

Museum
Children's museum
Children's party service
Makerspace
Tourist attraction

Location on the map

Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California, US

Phone: +1 805-928-8414
Site: http://smvdiscoverymuseum.org/

Opening hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:10 AM–3 PM
Wednesday:10 AM–3 PM
Thursday:10 AM–3 PM
Friday:10 AM–3 PM
Saturday:10 AM–3 PM
Sunday:10 AM–3 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.7

123 Reviews for Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum 2024:

Review №1

2024-06-27 17:14:15

What a great place to take your kids for a discovery experience. The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is above and beyond. I would recommend taking your kids here to experience all of the various hands-on history in the Santa Maria Valley.

Review №2

2024-05-31 16:40:41

We got a membership! It is such a great size because it is not too big but there’s plenty to do and it is big enough. Our two year old is easily entertained for two hours. Easy to keep an eye on your kids. The staff is always very friendly and helpful. We love it!

Review №3

2024-03-12 06:30:37

We had an after-hours birthday party here for our 6 year old and it was nothing but exceptional. The kids had a blast, they had tables and chairs and some theme decor ready when we showed up, as well as pizza and juice! Couldn’t recommend it enough!

Review №4

2024-05-11 22:07:29

Small but cute 6 and under is perfect age. Older kids maybe get bored quickly. Some fun programs available. Like camps, classes and even a date night babysitting first Friday of the month.

Review №5

2019-04-25 04:16:01

Was a great little museum for your child. My son is currently 18 months and enjoyed walking around and platoing with everything for almost 2 hours. I love that I didnt have to worry much about what he was touching since its a kid focused museum and is made to be kid friendly.

Review №6

2024-06-29 05:43:18

Update as of 2024. Some items have been updated, like the puppet theater. and they finally fixed the broken boat steering wheel. But the babies play area is disgusting. Everything is filthy, there are a milion books that need to be sent to the recycle bin. The toys on all the walls are unusuable. The activity cube thing is broken. Like why do you even have this stuff in here if its borderline not even usable? The tables in the middle are still way way too high to be safe for kids to use, the hot glue guns are such a weird choice. The climbing wall is filthy. If you look at really old photos of this place from 2010, you can clearly see that was the heydey. They actually had a daycare in there, things were kept clean. They had an indoor playground instead of a weird no mans land in the center. Half the displays that were here have been removed. The old west one is dangerous with rocks glued in the middle of a walkway and old broken stick horses again. The kitchen area has a scent display that was completely removed, and everything is broken. The company displays are all completely outdated and half the companies do not even exist anymore. Seriously, what happened to this place. Its terrible.

Review №7

2022-04-05 02:32:29

I booked the museum for my daughters birthday party and it was amazing. We all had a great time, lots of fun... and it was more than we expected. The staff was beyond helpful with all logistics and decorations. Highly recommended!!!

Review №8

2017-09-06 06:25:26

Kids thoroughly enjoyed this kids museum. Weve been to the Discovery cube in Anaheim, Visalias ImagineU kids museum, SLOs Childrens Museum, and San Joses Childrens Museum. This by far was the best value at $6 admission per person and for quality of interactive exhibits. It is definitely worth driving to if you are staying anywhere near by (Pismo, Et Al) and already been to the SLO museum a few times. Its less crowded and the variety of exhibits make it fun for almost any age. Santa Maria has a gem in this museum.

Review №9

2024-02-19 20:39:12

Best for younger kids. My kids (10yo, 7yo) loved the climbing wall and makerspace.

Review №10

2023-08-01 23:22:48

Fun childrens museum! And we did their STEM summer camp for 5 days of fun and at a great price! My two daughters loved it ages 4 and 7! The regular museum has lots to do for toddlers to prob about 10 yrs old. A climbing wall and pretend kitchen, a cowboy area and a recycling area, a dinosaur bone dig and a crafting station, a Lego area and a ocean themed area. I think its worth a visit for a couple hours! 😁

Review №11

2023-09-19 20:43:48

I was surprised at the amount of activities here. One of the best places for kids in town! There are many play stations thatll keep kids entertained for hours. I just found out that they have a toddler hour on Tuesday where they do toddler-friendly crafts. They also offer memberships to make it more affordable for families to frequent the museum.

Review №12

2024-06-16 01:48:34

Great space with lots of things for the kids to do.

Review №13

2023-02-14 05:06:36

I would say best for kids 1-7 years old. Very neat play areas for kids space, banking, farming, the tree house with puppets was a family favorite. Our 10 year old was a bit too old but still had the spark of imagination light up. Price was reasonable. I enjoyed the air tubes and trying to change the path ways!

Review №14

2023-10-17 02:10:21

What a great place for kids! Our extended family loves the place. We have rented it for Christmas about 5 times you have the place to yourselfs. Staff have always enjoyed knowable and courteous.

Review №15

2019-02-16 22:03:23

My kids love this place!!! We go almost every saturday.

Review №16

2023-12-23 16:53:36

Went with my daughter and grandson. The experience was truly amazing! Definitely a must see adventure.

Review №17

2019-02-21 00:08:35

This place is among the best kids museum around with tons of science, art, and social activities. Theres a launch control and a BBQ history exhibit, which are very appropriate for the area. We will be back.

Review №18

2022-12-29 22:30:19

Relatively small, but packed full of fun for the littles. Probably something for every interest--from the artistic (arts and crafts) to the imaginative (play store/restaurant, bank, boat...) to the technologically-minded (gears, pneumatic tubes, rocket launch). And a very scientific description of the characteristics of seagull droppings. In any case, plenty of activities to keep the kiddos entertained for an afternoon--even/especially a rainy one.

Review №19

2023-01-05 17:03:02

Brought my kids here for the first time yesterday, staff was super lackadaisical, my infant was pushed over by a larger child and a tooth knocked out. Staff rendered no aide, no first aide help, when asked where the closest hospital was neither seemed aware and acted very confused. No concern by either. Werent even there more than 20 minutes.

Review №20

2023-05-25 03:52:13

Its alright, I occasionally take my kids here out of convenience because we live so close by, but it is too overpriced for what you get, they have way more activities and things to do and play with at the childrens museum in San Luis Obispo for a much lower price.

Review №21

2023-09-28 14:12:57

This place is super cool. I took my granddaughter and I lost track of time. Great experience. A must see.

Review №22

2022-12-13 18:58:49

Exhibits were minimal and not as clean as they could have been. the museum needs to hire staff that will commit to putting activities out/refresh the areas for children. Although My toddler seemed to enjoy her time here she was done after an hour just wandering around, I couldnt see her finding this place refreshing after (1) to maybe a few visits. I recommend heading to SLO for their wonderful childrens museum they have an amazing art center (not just coloring pages) but paint & and 3 levels to play/explore. They also have engaging staff. Also got in for LESS $ than this museum! its a shame but for the price & lack of love for the museum, I wont be returning to SMVDCM with any child in my care.

Review №23

2019-05-03 19:36:23

First time visitors. My kids (2yrs and 3.5yrs) thoroughly enjoyed this place. We were there for about two hours. Their interests are different, and both kids were engaged the entire time. Clean area, great variety of exhibits, friendly staff. Great price👍

Review №24

2019-03-01 06:48:23

I received a gift of membership from a co-worker when my daughter was four years old. We have renewed every year even though shes about to turn 10. Most people think the Discovery Museum is for little kids but theyve recently updated most of the exhibits and they are more appealing to older children now (while still being appropriate for little ones). We dont go nearly as often as we used to, but it is still a wonderful local attraction. There are special events, and summer camps and so many things that keep us going back for more. Family membership is totally worth it.

Review №25

2019-07-07 20:28:25

Super chill, on low peak hours, kids can have fun and explore! Great thing to do while in Santa Maria to get the kids to stretch their legs... something for almost every age. Plenty of hands on activities, and clean areas!

Review №26

2019-10-28 17:48:00

We were visiting the area for the weekend and we brought our 3 year old son to the Halloween event this past weekend. What a wonderful space, so much to do for all ages. We will definitely keep the discovery museum on our ”must visit “ list for the future!!

Review №27

2016-04-08 03:27:41

Best place in Santa Maria for children. My son is 18 months old and had MUCH more fun here than he did at Chuck E Cheese. Owners are doing a FANTASTIC job!!!!! Very clean and staff are very friendly.

Review №28

2019-01-24 22:34:46

Such a fun and great learning environment for kids AND adults. Theres a couple of things that need to be serviced or updated, like the mechanical crane ball drops that you can control with a joy stick etc. The metal balls get stuck in places they cant be reached and its been like that for long time now. Seems like an easy fix, not sure why they dont open it up and just move the balls back.

Review №29

2018-07-09 17:58:51

Great place in town to take your kids to occupy them for about 1 to 2 hours. we have been going here for about 6 months, and theyve updated the museum multiple times. It feels like theres always something new for the boys to do

Review №30

2019-02-27 16:42:07

Its a very fun place for kids to run around! Price is responsible. 4 stars only because some of the activities were broken and not usable. Just needs a little TLC I suppose. But a nice place regardless!

Review №31

2023-05-05 03:26:10

Our grand kids 2 and 3 years old had a great time it was really fun.

Review №32

2018-04-04 06:00:30

I took my nephew to the museum and we had a wonderful day.

Review №33

2019-04-25 00:47:09

Took my 18 month old to the Santa Maria Discovery museum and she had a blast. The exhibits were all in working order. The museum was clean. We went on a Tuesday afternoon and it wasnt crowded at all. We look forward to visiting again.

Review №34

2018-11-29 22:48:49

What a fun place! I went with my 4-year old granddaughter. There are so many interesting areas that are fun but also teach kids in a way they can understand. I especially like the reading treehouse!!

Review №35

2018-03-04 07:40:33

Great place for kids. Love to support the community. My daughter had a ton of fun at all the different exhibits. She could spend all day exploring and learning.

Review №36

2016-03-15 19:05:31

Every one of my kids eyes light up even at the suggestion of going here. And its a fun time for dads day off too! 5 stars without a question, and a thousand times better than tablet games and cartoons!

Review №37

2019-12-04 23:26:00

Very fun for the kids! Good place when raining!

Review №38

2018-03-22 14:12:09

My one year old and seven old have the best time at the museum. Im glad they can go often and at an affordable rate. People from staff are really helpful and friendly.

Review №39

2023-04-30 19:42:19

Awesome little muse sun for children. Very friendly staff and lots of crafts to do with kids.

Review №40

2023-11-11 23:36:51

Do not sleep on this! So very cool and the staff is so welcoming!

Review №41

2023-07-05 22:17:21

This place is absolutely awesome! Very friendly staff. 10/10 would recommend

Review №42

2019-03-22 04:04:38

I liked it a lot. The more time you spend in there, the more you start to see. They have plants you can take home for your garden. A arts and crafts table. I would go again

Review №43

2018-03-13 22:23:26

My kids love this place. Its clean and usually not crowded with exhibits changing regularly. Little kids will love it.

Review №44

2023-09-05 20:38:16

My granddaughter really enjoyed all the activities.

Review №45

2019-07-16 23:49:38

So fun and educational, every child in Santa Maria should go. Totally worth the trip. Fun for parents too. GO NOW before they become teenagers and hate you.😊

Review №46

2016-09-09 03:00:33

Its a good little museum. They regularly update the exhibits. Recently they put in a scarf vacuum tube. Their exhibits do a good job of providing options for kids of multiple ages.

Review №47

2018-05-18 21:58:07

Kids loved it! They didnt want to leave!

Review №48

2017-01-13 15:25:11

Smaller than I expected, but plenty of variety to keep the kids engaged and entertained. They also do programs on a daily basis which is a huge bonus.

Review №49

2019-01-27 07:08:22

The Discovery Museum is a really fun place for kids and they are always adding new attractions. My son loves playing their for hours.

Review №50

2019-11-23 14:46:09

We love this place, better for lil kids obviously and so many fun lil arts and crafts to do with them and things to spark our lils imaginations♡

Review №51

2018-04-04 20:16:05

Great place at a great price. You can spend a lot or a little bit of time with the interactive learning displays...and take home your own personal arts and crafts gifts!

Review №52

2019-03-06 22:33:14

My children love this place. We like the crafts and exhibits and the plants that the kids can take home.

Review №53

2018-03-12 03:17:33

As of today we visit about once a week. My 2 years olds love it, get the year family pass, they stay engaged for about an hour.

Review №54

2019-11-07 18:06:01

The museum is so cute. The price of admission is not expensive. It is a cute museum, the kids will enjoy themselves and it is nice to spend time there as a family.

Review №55

2018-03-03 02:11:35

Wonderful compact museum for children. The older children love the arts and craft area. The younger kids love the wind tubes and scarves.

Review №56

2019-11-28 04:59:05

Wonderful places for infants to young children. Great staffing they are always friendly and helpful.

Review №57

2016-06-11 15:28:05

My children and students love it here! Fun community events! Great place for a birthday party!

Review №58

2018-05-25 03:16:54

Great place that presents many hands on activities and leave it open for the parents that ask additional questions to expand the childhood experience.

Review №59

2019-11-17 21:16:04

Our toddler loves it! We spend hours of fun every time we go

Review №60

2020-01-19 17:41:32

What a great spot for kids! I love that the local businesses sponsored and had expositions for the kids. We had a great time!

Review №61

2019-03-11 00:01:12

Friendly staff and fairly clean but a little smaller than expected, my 3 and 4 year old were ready to leave after an hour.

Review №62

2022-07-31 20:46:58

Best for young children under 5. A little pricey for how much is there

Review №63

2023-08-17 23:40:35

Great for toddlers, crafts, 3d printer!

Review №64

2018-02-28 14:57:41

It is a lovely place for 3-8 year old kids, both fun and educational

Review №65

2019-03-16 23:08:11

Great for once, I couldnt see coming back here too many times and the kids enjoy it every time.

Review №66

2018-08-19 20:05:13

Awesome place to bring the little ones. They have a nice crawling area.

Review №67

2019-08-17 17:34:53

Kids had a blast. Lots of things for them to discover, be educated, and have fun at the same time.

Review №68

2018-05-19 01:27:23

It’s a really good place for my little ones and the price is totally fine

Review №69

2019-12-29 18:45:03

The kids liked it ok, but its pretty expensive for a glorified advertisement for local businesses 🤣

Review №70

2016-05-25 19:40:01

Pretty good little museum. The kids were entertained for a couple of hours and the price isnt that bad.

Review №71

2023-03-08 16:58:54

Weird place, but fun for the kids.

Review №72

2023-03-20 04:41:10

A good place for kids and adults to play

Review №73

2018-07-11 17:00:31

Perfect place for families. The kids loved this place....all hands on.

Review №74

2023-10-17 20:17:11

Great for young children.

Review №75

2017-01-30 16:40:15

A little pricey for whats offered but still a good place to take the kids if its raining outside.

Review №76

2019-12-23 03:51:22

The 5 year old and 3 year old LOVED it. And it is not so huge as to overwhelm us or them

Review №77

2017-12-13 03:49:01

Great place for kids!

Review №78

2019-10-13 17:56:41

Wonderful place for children to find new adventures!

Review №79

2018-03-03 05:00:09

My grandson loves this place. Very well organized

Review №80

2019-10-09 03:58:28

Fun places for kids 1-10,parents should be free

Review №81

2019-11-04 00:02:29

Fun for the whole family, but needs some fixes.

Review №82

2019-09-13 03:18:15

Kinda small... Good way to burn a few hours

Review №83

2023-01-31 00:38:33

Fun place to take the kids.

Review №84

2022-09-28 18:57:46

Great place for toddlers & preschooler

Review №85

2019-01-31 06:22:54

Fantastic place to share with your children!

Review №86

2017-12-02 10:05:17

My kids really enjoyed it here

Review №87

2019-12-15 04:14:42

Great place to bring your kids

Review №88

2018-01-04 13:41:56

Our Fil.Ams association hold meetings here one of the conference room.

Review №89

2017-09-01 22:38:32

Great place for kids and adults to explore!

Review №90

2015-11-24 21:29:37

Fun place for the kids to explore in Santa maria.

Review №91

2019-05-17 17:20:32

Great fun with my grandson.

Review №92

2018-08-30 20:56:13

Great place to take the kids.

Review №93

2023-05-28 03:00:53

Great place for kids.

Review №94

2018-08-27 08:38:28

Awesome place to take the kids and adults

Review №95

2017-08-25 01:52:43

Clean, fun, keeps kids busy

Review №96

2017-07-26 02:32:22

A fun place for me and my brother

Review №97

2017-10-12 04:11:37

Way more interesting than it use to be.

Review №98

2019-04-17 21:26:34

It was alright no complaints..

Review №99

2017-03-02 19:02:08

Small but entertainment for kids.

Review №100

2019-10-10 19:53:23

My grandkids love going

Review №101

2017-07-29 00:00:30

Tis place is amazing and fun

Review №102

2018-05-05 17:54:22

Excellent place for curious kids

Review №103

2020-02-22 23:24:35

Lots of activities for children.

Review №104

2012-03-29 18:01:29

Review №105

2017-02-11 10:44:46

My students love it!

Review №106

2023-05-02 23:28:56

Good

Review №107

2023-06-05 02:14:02

Kids l9ved it

Review №108

2019-06-30 01:49:32

Toddlers love it!

Review №109

2017-09-05 23:49:30

Great place for children

Review №110

2019-08-24 06:33:48

The grandkids loved it

Review №111

2019-08-27 07:12:28

Fun place for kiddos

Review №112

2018-01-28 17:52:39

Kids loved it!

Review №113

2018-03-03 14:49:29

Great for kids

Review №114

2018-09-17 03:13:19

Great family destination

Review №115

2018-03-13 01:17:35

Fun with the family!

Review №116

2018-12-31 20:18:12

Fun for the kids

Review №117

2019-07-03 00:57:10

Great

Review №118

2020-03-04 02:50:10

This place was rad

Review №119

2017-08-04 00:29:08

Cockroaches everywhere !!!

Review №120

2019-02-16 12:47:59

Kids love it

Review №121

2019-03-19 19:58:40

Fun for kids

Review №122

2017-08-14 17:43:46

Review №123

2024-05-05 14:05:25

Excellent place