Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum

Santa Barbara, California Print   Leave a comment

Description

Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum displays thousands of dolls and teddy bears arranged beautifully in glass display cases. Some delight you with memories from your childhood! The dolls are arranged by theme, and not all are historical. There are plenty of modern dolls too, such as the dolls from the Twilight series. Susan Quinlan, who is usually at the museum and can answer your questions, worked as a children's librarian and many of the themed galleries are inspired by well-known books. The more you know your literature the more fun you'll have! There are plenty of galleries for boys too, displaying Star Wars, Star Trek, Power Rangers, and He-Man action figures! The space toys and robots also appeal to boys.
There is every doll you could ever imagine: Russian dolls, Native American dolls, Spanish dancer dolls, Japanese dolls in kimonos, fairy tale characters in delightful settings, Disney characters, ballerinas, puppets, Elvis Presley dolls, barbies, and Harry Potter dolls. Storybook scenes such as goldilocks and the three bears with huge lifelike bears make it fun for kids. A series of scenes from Alice in Wonderland are lovely.
Two large rooms with glass display cases hold the dolls and bears. There's also a gift shop and a light-filled room looking out on the street where you can have a free cup of tea. Pastel-colored murals of teddy bears picnicking in Santa Barbara spots make this room magical. It would be so fun if there were some real teddy bears, play teacups and saucers set up here where kids could have their own teddy bear picnics after being inspired by the museum. That is the only thing that is lacking at this museum- there isn't anything interactive for kids.
Everything is laid out attractively in this museum, from the teddy bear ironwork at the front entrance to the white picket fence border in the tea room.
After your visit, walk two blocks to Paseo Nuevo Mall to admire the glorious Spanish architecture and eat an inexpensive meal outdoors at Kahuna Grill.

Photo Gallery

Teddy bear ironwork outside the entrance.	The lobby with giant nutcracker.	Tea room with mural of teddy bear picnic on lawn by Cabrillo Bike Path.
Tea room with window looking out on a rainy day- a good day to come to a museum!	Tea room with mural of teddy bear picnic with Santa Ynez mountains behind.	Display case with Native American dolls.
Spanish dancer dolls.	Russian dolls.	He-Man action figures!
Harry Potter dolls!	Dr. Suess dolls.	An assortment of dolls.
A scene from the Alice in Wonderland gallery.	Christmas scene.	Ballerinas.
Twilight series dolls!	Star Trek figures.	Cute bears.
There are two rooms like this one.	You may have tangible wealth untold, Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold, Richer than I you can never be- I had a mother who read to me.

Directions

Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum is located at 122 W. Canon Perdido St right near Paseo Nuevo Mall in downtown Santa Barbara.
Exit Highway 101 at Carrillo St and turn right if you were northbound or left if you were southbound. Turn right on De La Vina St. Take the first left on W. Canon Perdido St. Find a parking spot along the road.
Open Fri-Mon 11-5. Closed on major holidays.
Admission is $6.50 for adults, $3.50 for kids 12 and under.

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Visitor Ratings

Overall Visitor Rating: Unrated.