The Discovery Museum first opened its doors in 1996 in a small strip mall in Santa Maria. In 2004, the museum launched a successful capital campaign, leading to the renovation of a historic commercial building in the heart of downtown Santa Maria. The newly transformed 13,000-square-foot space opened to the public in January 2005, featuring more than 25 interactive exhibit areas designed to inspire curiosity and creativity. For over two decades, the museum has served as a vibrant hub for hands-on learning and discovery for children and families across the Central Coast.

In July 2025, the Discovery Museum officially merged with Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County (CRR), forming the CRR Discovery Museum. This partnership builds on a shared commitment to early childhood development, educational access, and family engagement — expanding the museum’s impact as both a community landmark and a child-centered learning space.

The CRR Discovery Museum exists to spark curiosity, inspire learning, and strengthen families through hands-on exhibits, educational programs, and shared experiences that promote child development, STEM exploration, and community connection. Our mission is to provide an inclusive, engaging space where children and families of all backgrounds can play, learn, and grow together—building the foundation for lifelong learning and community resilience.

Through our partnership with Children’s Resource & Referral, the CRR Discovery Museum brings together the best of both worlds: passionate educators and early childhood development specialists, and dynamic, evidence-based environments that spark imagination and learning.

Our team is more than a group of staff members; we are educators, navigators, and community builders united by a shared mission to inspire curiosity and foster growth in every child who walks through our doors. Each member brings expertise in early childhood development, family engagement, or creative learning, ensuring that our programs and exhibits reflect the latest research while remaining joyful and accessible.

We believe that children learn best when they feel seen, valued, and supported. That is why our team works intentionally to design experiences that nurture the whole child: socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. From guiding a toddler’s first sensory discovery, to encouraging a preschooler’s budding love of science, to connecting families with community resources, we are committed to walking alongside families every step of the way.

Most importantly, our team understands that play is not just fun; it is the foundation of learning. Whether through inquiry, exploration, creativity, or community connection, we strive to create meaningful experiences that plant seeds of confidence, resilience, and lifelong curiosity.

Together, we are shaping a museum that celebrates diversity, honors imagination, and equips families with tools and opportunities to thrive.

As part of Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County, the CRR Discovery Museum is more than a place to play; it is an extension of a countywide commitment to empowering families, strengthening early care and education, and promoting lifelong success for children.

Our connection to CRR ensures that the museum is not only a hub of creativity and discovery, but also a gateway to vital supports that families need to thrive. Parents who walk through our doors are met with opportunities that go beyond exhibits and activities; they are connected to resources such as quality child care referrals, parent education workshops, developmental screenings, family literacy initiatives, and essential services like diapers, formula, and emergency supplies.

By blending the museum’s focus on STEAM learning, play-based exploration, and hands-on exhibits with CRR’s robust network of resources and services, we provide a holistic approach to child development and family well-being that is both accessible and inspiring. Children experience the joy of learning in dynamic, evidence-based environments, while families gain the tools, knowledge, and community support needed to nurture that learning at home and beyond.

This integration creates a powerful continuum of care, where discovery, education, and support intersect—ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. The CRR Discovery Museum is not only a place of wonder, but also a catalyst for stronger families, resilient communities, and a brighter future for Santa Barbara County.