Magellan's was founded by two travel professionals to provide a single source of unique and useful travel products, supported by well trained travel gear specialists, and backed by a complete 100% guarantee of satisfaction.

While working for Pan Am Airways, John and Gloria McManus traveled extensively around the world and were frustrated by the inadequate supply of travel products available to consumers. In 1989 they created Magellan's catalog, starting with a 32 page black and white catalog of hard-to-find travel products. John's no-nonsense, detailed descriptions of each item made it clear how each addressed a travel problem, from overseas electrical adaptors to third world health and hygiene. 

The catalog had inauspicious beginnings from their kitchen table, but the concept took hold, travelers took notice, and sales grew rapidly, prompting a move to larger space, first in a Quonset hut down by the beach, and then to the former Arlington hotel garage that houses the business today, just off State Street in downtown Santa Barbara.