Santa Clarita Valley families looking for a unique summer outing may want to add MOXI, The Wolf Museum Of Exploration + Innovation, to their list of places to explore.

In the 164th installment of KHTS’ Extremely Quirky Destinations series, we head to Santa Barbara to visit a destination centered on curiosity, creativity and hands-on learning.

At MOXI, the mission is to ignite learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity. 

Designed for families and curious minds of all ages, the museum encourages guests to explore the world around them, ask questions, discover answers and have fun while doing it.

The museum’s story began more than 20 years ago when a group of community volunteers envisioned creating a world-class science museum in Santa Barbara that would provide educational opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.

That vision became reality in 2013 when the City of Santa Barbara enabled construction of the museum on a vacant lot along lower State Street. 

Today, MOXI operates under a 50-year lease agreement with the city. The Barry Berkus-designed building also became the first LEED Gold-certified museum in Santa Barbara County.

MOXI features a variety of STEAM-focused exhibits centered around science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, combining education with interactive fun.

 

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Tech Track

Visitors can begin their experience in Tech Track, where art and technology meet.

Guests can create thermal handprints on the giant glowing Sheldon Family Handprint Globe, interact with LED-powered sculptures that respond to movement and explore the Innovation Wall highlighting local creators and projects taking place inside MOXI’s Innovation Workshop.

Innovation Workshop

Part makerspace and part creativity lab, the Innovation Workshop gives guests of all ages the opportunity to tinker, build and bring ideas to life using tools, technology, art and imagination. 

Themes rotate monthly and encourage open-ended creation and experimentation. Access is included with museum admission and available based on room capacity.

Sound Track

The Muller Family Sound Track explores the science behind sound through hands-on exhibits. Visitors can step inside the Giant Guitar, experiment with the George Rhoads-designed Sound Machine, test stealth skills in QWuiet Quest, create music with the Reactable or produce sound effects inside Foley Studios.

Fantastic Forces Courtyard

This three-story outdoor exhibit space introduces concepts including gravity, air resistance, aerodynamics and motion. Guests can launch balls, float scarves, experiment with airflow and observe the forces that make movement possible.

Speed Track

Designed around motion and acceleration, the Muzzy Family Speed Track lets visitors build and race vehicles, engineer marble roller coasters, create stop-motion animation and experiment with physics through interactive play.

Crawlers’ Corner

Created for children ages 0–36 months, Crawlers’ Corner supports early learning through climbing, crawling and sensory exploration. 

The space includes Honeycomb Hollow, Crystal Cave and activities focused on counting, shapes and patterns in a soft and safe environment.

Quiet Cave

Quiet Cave offers a calming environment for sensory-sensitive guests and anyone needing a quieter space during their visit. The room includes soft lighting, tactile sensory toys and an inclusive reading library.

Museum staff notes that sensory regulation can look different for every guest, and visitors are encouraged to be respectful of others using the space.

Light Track

Image courtesy of MOXI, The Wolf Museum Of Exploration + Innovation.

This low-lit exhibit allows guests to experiment with reflection, refraction, color mixing and shadows using prisms, mirrors, lenses and interactive displays. Visitors can freeze shadows, create pixel art and explore how light behaves.

Mountain View Terrace

Image courtesy of MOXI, The Wolf Museum Of Exploration + Innovation.

Overlooking the nearby Amtrak station, Mountain View Terrace celebrates trains through interactive exhibits where visitors can create train whistles using air pressure and monitor sound from passing trains.

Sky Garden

The rooftop Sky Garden offers panoramic views of Santa Barbara from the mountains to the ocean. Guests can experiment with water flow at the Whitewater exhibit, build with oversized blocks, explore observation scopes and walk across the glass Sky Deck overlooking the courtyard below.

Additionally, MOXI offers daily workshops open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Tuesdays when workshops run from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

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Workshops are recommended for ages 4 and older, require adult supervision, run in 20-minute sessions, accommodate up to 25 participants and are included with museum admission.

To view last week’s destination – Suiho En – The Japanese Garden – click here.

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