List of museums in California


This list of museums in California is a list of museums, defined for this context as institutions that collect and care for objects of cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical interest and make their collections or related exhibits available for public viewing. Also included are non-profit and university art galleries. Museums that exist only in cyberspace are not included.
To use the sortable tables: click on the icons at the top of each column to sort that column in alphabetical order; click again for reverse alphabetical order.

Central Coast and Monterey Bay Area

Includes Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Ventura counties

Inland Empire">Inland Empire (California)">Inland Empire

Riverside County and San Bernardino County

North Coast">North Coast (California)">North Coast

Includes Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino counties

San Francisco Bay Area

Includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma counties

San Joaquin Valley

Includes Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare counties

Shasta Cascade

Includes Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity counties

Elsewhere

The museums below are found in the following counties, which may be split over different regions:
NameTown/CityCountyRegionTypeSummary
Aerospace Museum of CaliforniaNorth HighlandsSacramentoSacramento ValleyAviationLocated on the grounds of the former McClellan Air Force Base, displays of military and civilian aircraft as well as space vehicle replicas
Alpine County MuseumMarkleevilleAlpineHigh SierraOpen air, complex includes the main museum building with local history exhibits, Old Webster Schoolhouse, Markleeville Log Jail, carriage shed, and historic silver ore stamp mill
Amador County MuseumJacksonAmadorGold CountryLocal historyOperated by the Amador County Historical Society, mid 19th-century home with local history displays including gold mining, clothing, period rooms, Native American and Chinese American collections, Kennedy and North Star Mines models
Amador Whitney MuseumAmador CityAmadorGold CountryLocal history
Angels Camp MuseumAngels CampCalaverasGold CountryLocal historyIncludes carriages, mining equipment, minerals, household items
Bale Grist Mill State Historic ParkSt. HelenaNapaNapa ValleyMillThe historic mill is open on weekends
Bernhard Museum ComplexAuburnPlacerGold CountryHistoric houseIncludes the Victorian Bernhard residence with period rooms, wine storage building and wine processing building with wine-making exhibits, and a barn with horse-drawn vehicles and blacksmith area
Blue Line ArtsRosevillePlacerSacramento ValleyArt, art center with galleries, works of regional and national artists
Bodie State Historic ParkBodieMonoHigh SierraOpen airGhost town mining camp
Bohart Museum of EntomologyDavisYoloSacramento ValleyNatural historyLive and mounted insect displays, also a research museum of the University of California, Davis
Borax MuseumFurnace CreekInyoHigh SierraMiningLocated at the Oasis at Death Valley, borax mining tools and equipment, minerals, models of Twenty-mule team wagon trains
Calaveras County MuseumSan AndreasCalaverasGold CountryLocal historyOperated by the Calaveras County Historical Society, located in the former Calaveras County Courthouse, Jail Yard, and Hall of Records
California Automobile MuseumSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyAutomobileFormerly the Towe Auto Museum, over 170 classic cars, race cars, muscle cars, hot rods, early models and automotive memorabilia
California MuseumSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyHistoryFormerly known as the Golden State Museum, includes the California Hall of Fame, exhibits on important people and aspects of California including California Indians, missions, women, California Constitution, health
California State Capitol MuseumSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyCapitolMuseum in the Capitol, tours, history of the state government
California State Indian MuseumSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyNative AmericanThemes of nature, spirit and family
California State Mining and Mineral MuseumMariposaMariposaGold CountryMiningLocated at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, gold mining
California State Railroad MuseumSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyRailroadFeatures 21 restored locomotives and railroad cars, exhibits, summer heritage railroad rides on the Sacramento Southern Railroad
Effie Yeaw Nature Center (Carmichael, California)SacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyLocal history, operated by American River Natural History Association, located in Ancil C. Hoffman Park
Carnegie Museum (Roseville, California)RosevillePlacerSacramento ValleyLocal history, operated by the Roseville Historical Society, located in a Carnegie library building
Carolyn Parr Nature CenterNapaNapaNapa ValleyNatural history, located in Westwood Hills Park, features natural history museum
Center for Contemporary Art, SacramentoSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyArt
C Gibson Museum & Cultural CenterMiddletownLakeLake CountyLocal History Geology, native American, mining, and pioneer history.
Chew Kee Store MuseumFiddletownAmadorGold CountryHistory1855 Chinese herb shop, operated by the Fiddletown Preservation Society
Chinese American Museum of Northern CaliforniaMarysvilleYubaSacramento ValleyEthnic – Chinese, Chinese participation in the gold rush
Chinese Association MuseumLockeSacramentoSacramento ValleyEthnic – ChineseHistory of the Chinese in Locke, culture
C.N. Gorman MuseumDavisYoloSacramento ValleyArt, contemporary Native American and indigenous art, part of the University of California, Davis, also known as Carl M. Gorman Museum
Columbia State Historic ParkColumbiaTuolumneGold CountryLivingCalifornia Gold Rush town with living history demonstrations
Community Memorial Museum of Sutter CountyYuba CitySutterSacramento ValleyLocal history
Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraSanta BarbaraFashion History & Couture SewingSingle-room venue, with rotating exhibits
Crocker Art MuseumSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyArtEarly California art, Old Master drawings, Asian art, international ceramics
Dai Loy MuseumLockeSacramentoSacramento ValleyHistoryFormer Chinese gambling house
di RosaNapaNapaNapa ValleyArt, art galleries and outdoor sculpture on a nature preserve
Discovery Museum Science & Space CenterSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyScience, themes include space, solar system, nature, building new facility to be known as the Powerhouse Science Center
Don & June Salvatori California Pharmacy MuseumSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyMedicalPharmacy artifacts, located at the California Pharmacists Association headquarters
Donner Memorial State ParkTruckeeNevadaGold CountryHistoryIncludes the Emigrant Trail Museum with exhibits on local Native Americans, the Donner Party and builders of the transcontinental railroad
Downieville MuseumDownievilleSierraGold CountryLocal history
Eastern California MuseumIndependenceInyoHigh SierraLocal history, includes Native American baskets and artifacts, fossils and exhibits of local history, artifacts from the Manzanar World War II Internment Center
El Dorado County Historical MuseumPlacervilleEl DoradoGold CountryLocal history, Native American baskets, gold mining equipment, farm tools, household items
ElmshavenSt. HelenaNapaNapa ValleyReligiousHome of Ellen G. White whose ministry was instrumental in founding the seventh-day Sabbatarian Adventist movement
Empire Mine State Historic ParkGrass ValleyNevadaGold CountryMiningAttractions include a mining museum, an Edwardian estate house, and a mine with living history demonstrations
ExploritDavisYoloSacramento ValleyScience, regional hands-on science center
Folsom History MuseumFolsomSacramentoSacramento ValleyLocal history, operated by the Folsom Historical Society, exhibits about Folsom's native people, the discovery of gold and the formation of mining camps, ethnic groups who contributed to this area, the formation of the town, railroad, prison, powerhouse, and later efforts at gold mining
Folsom Powerhouse State Historic ParkFolsomSacramentoSacramento ValleyTechnologyHistoric 1890s hydroelectric power plant
Folsom Prison MuseumFolsomSacramentoSacramento ValleyLaw enforcement, history of Folsom Prison
Folsom Railroad MuseumFolsomSacramentoSacramento ValleyRailroad, operated by the Folsom, El Dorado & Sacramento Historical Railroad Association
Forest Hill Divide MuseumForesthillPlacerGold CountryMining, includes mining museum, a reconstructed livery stable/blacksmith shop, and the original Foresthill Jail
Fountain & Tallman MuseumPlacervilleEl DoradoGold CountryLocal historyOperated by the El Dorado County Historical Society
Gatekeeper’s MuseumTahoe CityPlacerHigh SierraLocal history, operated by the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society, includes Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum
Gold Bug Park & MinePlacervilleEl DoradoGold CountryMining, includes Hattie's Museum with mining exhibits, Gold Bug Mine to tour, Meagher House for natural history education, Hendy Stamp Mill
Gold Country MuseumAuburnPlacerGold CountryMiningArea gold mining and local history
Golden Drift MuseumDutch FlatPlacerGold CountryLocal history, influence of hydraulic mining, lumber and railroads in the area
Governor's Mansion State Historic ParkSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyHistoric houseFormer mansion of the governors of California
Grass Valley MuseumGrass ValleyNevadaGold CountryLocal historyIncludes furniture, art, objects d’art, clothing, musical instruments and artifacts of the Victorian era
Grass Valley Video History MuseumGrass ValleyNevadaGold CountryLocal historyHistorical film footage locally and from around the world
Griffith Quarry MuseumPenrynPlacerGold CountryIndustryLocal granite industry
Groveland Yosemite Gateway MuseumGrovelandTuolumneGold CountryLocal history, operated by the Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society
Hattie Weber MuseumDavisYoloSacramento ValleyLocal history, operated by the Yolo County Historical Society, includes dolls from many countries and eras, textiles, books
Hayden CabinMammoth LakesMonoHigh SierraHistoric house, operated by the Southern Mono Historical Society, also known as Mammoth Museum, four-room log cabin with original 1930s furnishings
Heidrick Ag History CenterWoodlandYoloSacramento ValleyAgriculture, antique agricultural equipment
Hellman-Ehrman MansionTahomaEl DoradoGold CountryHistoric house, located in Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, early 20th-century summer lodge house
Historic Firehouse No. 1 MuseumNevada CityNevadaGold CountryLocal historyOperated by the Nevada County Historical Society
Historic Courthouse MuseumLakeportLakeLake CountyLocal History Old county courthouse, Native American and pioneer history
Historic Schoolhouse MuseumLower LakeLakeLake CountyLocal History Old schoolhouse, Native American and pioneer history
Home of Lola MontezGrass ValleyNevadaGold CountryLocal historyHouses the town's chamber of commerce, visitor center and local history museum
Honeybee Discovery CenterOrlandGlennZoology
Imperial Valley College Art GalleryImperialImperialImperial ValleyArtJuanita Salazar Lowe Gallery
Imperial Valley Desert MuseumOcotilloImperialImperial ValleyMultiple, Native American, archaeological and historic artifacts
Inyo Council for the Arts GalleryBishopInyoHigh SierraArtChanging exhibits of area art
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic ParkPine GroveAmadorHigh SierraNative AmericanIncludes Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum
James Calvin Sly MuseumPollock PinesEl DoradoGold CountryLocal historyLocated in Sly Park Recreation Area, named for James Calvin Sly
Kennedy MineJacksonAmadorHigh SierraMiningGold mine structures
Kentucky Mine MuseumSierra CitySierraGold CountryMining, operated by the Sierra County Historical Society, working gold mine with operating stamp mill
KidZone MuseumTruckeeNevadaGold CountryChildren's, formerly the Sierra Nevada Children's Museum
Lake Tahoe Historical Society MuseumSouth Lake TahoeEl DoradoHigh SierraLocal history
Laws Railroad Museum and Historic SiteBishopInyoHigh SierraOpen airOperated by the Bishop Museum & Historical Society, collection of 19th century buildings with historical exhibits, railroad cars and equipment
Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic ParkSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyHistoric houseVictorian mansion restored to 1872 appearance
Locke Boarding House and Visitor CenterLockeSacramentoSacramento ValleyLocal historyOffers tours of the historic community
Locke Chinese SchoolLockeSacramentoSacramento ValleySchoolFormer Chinese school
Lone Pine Film History MuseumLone PineInyoHigh SierraMedia, movie history of Lone Pine, Death Valley and the Eastern Sierra areas; officially known as the Beverly and Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History
Maidu Museum & Historic SiteRosevillePlacerSacramento ValleyMultipleNatural and cultural history, including exhibits on Native Californians and the interdependence of nature and culture
Malakoff Diggins State Historic ParkNevada CityNevadaGold CountryMiningIncludes mining museum and deserted mining town
Mammoth Ski MuseumMammoth LakesMonoHigh SierraSportsArt, culture and artifacts related to skiing
Manzanar National Historic SiteIndependenceInyoHigh SierraHistorySite of one of ten camps where over 110,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War II
Mariposa Museum & History CenterMariposaMariposaGold CountryLocal history, cultural history of Mariposa County, including Miwok display, gold mining equipment, miner's cabin, saloon, one-room school
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic ParkColomaEl DoradoGold CountryOpen airIncludes Gold Discovery Museum and Visitor Center, 20 historic buildings including mining, house, school, and store exhibits
Mary Aaron MuseumMarysvilleYubaSacramento ValleyHistoric houseVictorian-era house, exhibits of local history
Mendenhall's Museum of Gasoline Pumps & PetrolianaBueltonSanta BarbaraCentral CoastAutomotivehttps://www.mendenhallmuseum.com/ Private collection of vintage gas, racing & roadway artifacts
Milton Gottardi Loyalton MuseumLoyaltonSierraGold CountryLocal historyIncludes displays on logging, agriculture, Washoe Indians, fraternal organizations
Mono Basin History MuseumLee ViningMonoHigh SierraLocal history, operated by the Mono County Historical Society, located in a historic schoolhouse, Native American artifacts, gold mining implements, local history and culture, Nellie Bly's legendary Upside-Down House, farming and mining equipment
Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitor CenterLee ViningMonoHigh SierraNatural historyGeology and wildlife of Mono Lake
Mono County MuseumBridgeportMonoHigh SierraLocal historyOperated by the Mono County Historical Society
Monteverde Store MuseumSutter CreekAmadorGold CountryHistoryHistoric country store with historic items, open by appointment
Murphys Old Timers MuseumMurphysCalaverasGold CountryLocal history
Museum of History in GraniteFelicityImperialImperial ValleyHistory, outdoor granite panels depicting humanity's history
Museum of Medical HistorySacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyMedical, collections in the fields of surgery, clinical diagnosis, infectious disease, pharmacy, radiology, Chinese medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, medical quackery, operated by the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society
Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter OlympicsTahoe CityPlacerHigh SierraSportsArea ski history from its beginnings through the 1960 Winter Olympics
Museum of the Forgotten WarriorsMarysvilleYubaSacramento ValleyMilitary, uniforms, helicopters, photographs, medals, military memorabilia
Napa County Historical SocietyNapaNapaNapa ValleyLocal historyLocated in the Goodman Library; Jess Doud Memorial Room hosts several exhibitions each year
Napa Firefighters MuseumNapaNapaNapa ValleyFirefighting
Napa Valley MuseumYountvilleNapaNapa ValleyMultiple, art, history, natural history of Napa Valley, including local Native American and wine-making history
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad MuseumNevada CityNevadaGold CountryRailroadOperated by the Nevada County Historical Society
New Melones Visitor Center and MuseumSonoraCalaverasGold CountryLocal historyHistoric, natural and cultural history of the area around New Melones Lake
North Star Mine and Powerhouse & Pelton Wheel MuseumGrass ValleyNevadaGold CountryMiningHundreds of mining artifacts and machinery, operated by the Nevada County Historical Society; also called the Grass Valley Mining Museum or the Northstar Mining Museum
Northern Mariposa County History CenterCoultervilleMariposaGold CountryLocal history, pioneers, mining, Chinese immigrants, John Muir
Old Jail Museum (Truckee, California)TruckeeNevadaGold CountryPrison, operated by the Truckee – Donner Historical Society, 19th-century jail with exhibits of local history
Old Sacramento State Historic ParkSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyMultipleIncludes Old Sacramento Interpretive Center, Wells Fargo History Museum, Sacramento History Museum, Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum, several historic buildings and more
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse MuseumSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleySchool, late 19th-century period one room schoolhouse
Shoshone Cultural Center-MuseumBishopInyoHigh SierraNative AmericanArtifacts and antiquities from the Numa and Newe Nations
Pioneers' Park MuseumImperialImperialImperial ValleyLocal history, operated by the Imperial County Historical Society, exhibits include county history, ethnic groups, agriculture, cattle, military, culture
Pioneer Yosemite History CenterWawonaMariposaHigh SierraOpen airHistoric structures from different eras of Yosemite’s history
Placer County MuseumAuburnPlacerGold CountryLocal history, includes courthouse and sheriff's exhibits, Native America art, gold country exhibits
Portuguese Historical Museum San Jose Santa ClaraSanta Clara ValleyPortuguese heritage, includes exhibits on the history of the Portuguese diaspora in California
Preston School of Industry IoneAmadorHigh SierraPrisonTours of the former reform school
Rae House MuseumGaltSacramentoSacramento ValleyHistoric house19th-century house with period displays, dolls, local history exhibits, operated by the Galt Area Historical Society, open by appointment
Railtown 1897 State Historic ParkJamestownTuolumneGold CountryRailroadSeasonal steam and diesel-powered train rides, 1920s locomotive roundhouse, machine shop and related exhibits
Red Barn MuseumSan AndreasCalaverasGold CountryLocal history, operated by the Calaveras County Historical Society, features agriculture, mining, logging, and ranching artifacts, tools and equipment
Reiff's Antique Gas Station Automotive MuseumWoodlandYoloSacramento ValleyTransportation1950s cars, automobile memorabilia, antiques and car culture
Richard Nelson GalleryDavisYoloSacramento ValleyArt, part of the University of California, Davis
Robert Louis Stevenson MuseumSt. HelenaNapaNapa ValleyBiographical, devoted to author Robert Louis Stevenson
Rocklin History MuseumRocklinPlacerGold CountryLocal history, operated by the Rocklin Historical Society, mining, railroads, ranching
Roseville Telephone MuseumRosevillePlacerSacramento ValleyTechnology, antique telephones and memorabilia, open by appointment
Roseville Utility Exploration CenterRosevillePlacerSacramento ValleyScience, environmental learning center including energy efficiency, renewable technology, water conservation and recycling
Sacramento Children's MuseumRancho CordovaSacramentoSacramento ValleyChildren's
Sacramento History MuseumSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyLocal historyIncludes California Gold Rush, agriculture, community, gold panning. Home of the Underground Tours of Old Sacramento.
Sacramento Valley MuseumWilliamsColusaSacramento ValleyLocal historyIncludes carriages, mining equipment, minerals, household items
San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus Art GalleryCalexicoImperialImperial ValleyArtSteppling Art Gallery
Scotty's CastleInyoHigh SierraHistoric houseAlso known as Death Valley Ranch, 1930s period mansion, located in northern Death Valley National Park
Sharpsteen MuseumCalistogaNapaNapa ValleyLocal history, history of the upper Napa Valley, along with the career memorabilia of founder Ben Sharpsteen
Shenandoah Valley MuseumPlymouthAmadorGold CountryAgricultureWine-making and farming
Shoshone MuseumShoshoneInyoHigh SierraLocal history, area geology, wildlife, Native American culture and folklore
Sierra College Natural History MuseumRocklinPlacerGold CountryNatural history, part of Sierra College, mammals mounts, animal skeletons, fossils, insects
Sierra Nevada Logging MuseumArnoldCalaverasGold CountryIndustryHistory of logging in the Sierra Nevada area
Sutter's Fort State Historic ParkSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyMilitaryIncludes reconstructed mid 19th-century period Sutter's Fort and the California State Indian Museum
Tahoe Maritime MuseumHomewoodPlacerHigh SierraMaritimeIncludes maritime craft in service at Lake Tahoe, history of boating at Lake Tahoe, outboard motor collection, aquaplanes, water skis, fishing exhibits
Tallac Historic SiteSouth Lake TahoeEl DoradoHigh SierraOpen airFormer rustic resort, includes Baldwin Museum, a former estate with exhibits on the significance of the estate families and the Washoe Tribe, the Pope Estate, the Valhalla Estate and several outbuildings
Tuolumne City Memorial MuseumTuolumneTuolumneGold CountryLocal historyExhibits on pioneers, household and kitchen items, clothing, gold mining, lumber company and model train layout
Tuolumne County MuseumSonoraTuolumneGold CountryLocal history, housed in an old jail, operated by the Tuolumne County Historical Society
UC Davis Design MuseumDavisYoloSacramento ValleyDesign, includes architecture, costume, graphic design, textiles, new media and popular culture, part of the University of California, Davis
Underground Gold Miners MuseumAlleghanySierraGold CountryMining, open by appointment and for events
United States Bicycling Hall of FameDavisYoloSacramento ValleySportsFormerly located in New Jersey, bicycling history, photos, trophies, medals, books, catalogs
VikingsholmSouth Lake TahoeEl DoradoHigh SierraHistoric house38-room mansion with Nordic influences
Watson Log CabinTahoe CityPlacerHigh SierraHistoric houseOperated by the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society, early 20th-century log cabin
Wells Fargo History MuseumSacramentoSacramentoSacramento ValleyHistoryTwo locations in Sacramento, one in the Pony Express Terminal, the other in the Wells Fargo Center; history of Wells Fargo Express, California Gold Rush
West Sacramento Historical Society History GalleryWest SacramentoYoloSacramento ValleyLocal historyExhibits in the West Sacramento Community Center
Western SkiSport MuseumSoda SpringsNevadaGold CountrySports, history of winter ski sports in the western United States, operated by the Auburn Ski Club in the winter
Yolo County Historical MuseumWoodlandYoloSacramento ValleyHistoric houseAlso known as Gibson House, period rooms from the 1850s to the 1930s, also exhibits of local history
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine RailroadFish CampMariposaHigh SierraRailroadHeritage railroad and historic log cabin
Yosemite MuseumYosemite National ParkMariposaGold CountryNative AmericanHeritage and culture of the Ahwaneechee people who lived in the valley

Defunct museums