Museums California
Science

Browse Museums

Aerospace Museum of California
McClellan, California

History, Library, Military, Science, Specialized

Since we opened the new Museum pavilion and air park in February 2007, over 250,000 visitors have come to view our unique collection of 40 military and civilian aircraft, the 15 restored engines on display, use the educational programs, and enjoy the Coast Guard art collection. Visitors see aircraft from a fully restored 1932 Curtiss-Wright "speed wing" biplane to an A-10 Warthog and engines including models from pre-World War I, the first jet engine, and a J-58 jet engine that powered the SR-71 Blackbird to 3 times the speed of sound. Our Aerospace Learning Center allows visitors to fly non-motion flight simulators or ride in a motion ride simulator.

Angels Camp Museum
Angels Camp, California

Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Natural History, Science, Specialized

This beautiful little foothill town was founded in 1848 and two years later Placer gold was discovered. Located in Calaveras County, and the home of Mark Twain's famous Jumping Frog Jubilee, Angels Camp is nestled peacefully in the Sierra Foothills between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, just three hours from the bay area.

Apple Farm Mill House
San Luis Obispo, California

General, History, Historic House, Science

Apple Farm Mill House in San Luis Obispo, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Aquarium Of The Pacific
Long Beach, California

Aquarium, Natural History, Nature Centers, Science

Take a journey of discovery through the world’s largest ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. Our website can help prepare you for your visit. Explore our exhibits, and discover sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the North Pacific, and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific. Come face-to-face with, and even touch, the ocean’s ultimate predators in Shark Lagoon. And hand feed lorikeet birds. With affordable prices and an entertaining and educational experience for the whole family, there is no better time to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific than now.

Audubon Canyon Ranch
Stinson Beach, California

History, Park, Science, Specialized

Preservation: Audubon Canyon Ranch preserves, protects and manages our properties as sanctuaries for native plants and animals,

Bay Model Visitor Center
Sausalito, California

General, History, Natural History, Nature Centers, Science

The Bay Model and the Bay Model Visitor Center is a research and education facility built and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Inside is one of the most fascinating scientific tools you'll ever see: a working hydraulic model of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento - San Joaquin River Delta Systems; simulate tide, currents, sediment movement. Used by scientists and engineers.

Big Four and Dingley Spice Mill Buildings
Sacramento, California

General, History, Historic House, Science

Over the last 20 years, the Old Sacramento Historic District has grown and matured into a well-recognized town within a city. Highly visible within the district are the cluster of reconstructed and restored buildings that comprise the California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

Cal Tech Big Bear Solar Observatory
Big Bear City, California

Science

Cal Tech Big Bear Solar Observatory in Big Bear City, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

California Center for Wildlife
San Rafael, California

Science

California Center for Wildlife in San Rafael, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

California Science Center
Los Angeles, California

Science

California Science Center in Los Angeles, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Air Force Flight Test Center Museum
Edwards Air Force Base, California

History, Military, Science, Specialized

The Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) Museum is an Air Force Field Museum operating within the guidelines of the USAF Heritage Program. Its mission is to collect, interpret, preserve, and display the material history of the AFFTC, Edwards AFB and its antecedents, and the history of USAF flight testing. There are currently 80 aircraft in the museum’s collection, with 32 on display (29 at Edwards and three at the AFFTC-managed Blackbird Airpark in Palmdale) and the remainder in storage or restoration. Other artifacts in the collection include aircraft propulsion systems, missiles, hardware, life support equipment, technical drawings, test reports, personal memorabilia, photographs, and wind tunnel models.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Lancaster, California

Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Natural History, Nature Centers, Park, Science

Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through May, with a variety of wildflowers creating a mosaic of color that changes daily.

Aquarium of the Bay
San Francisco, California

Children's, General, Natural History, Nature Centers, Science, Specialized

Aquarium of the Bay is San Francisco Bay’s Aquarium. We are passionate about providing fun and unforgettable encounters with our natural world in ways that ignite both wonder and conservation. We do this from our 50,000 square foot building at the heart of San Francisco's history and culture. We are nestled in the shadow of Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill on Fisherman’s Wharf at PIER 39, along the City’s “Walkable Waterfront.”

Arthur L. Pursell Observatory
Tulare, California

Science

Arthur L. Purcell Observatory in Tulare, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Bay Area Discovery Museum
Sausalito, California

Children's, General, History, Nature Centers, Park, Science

At the Bay Area Discovery Museum, play cultivates creativity. The construction cones in Lookout Cove turn out to make perfect wizard hats. And who would have predicted that children would use the hidden reaches of the willow-maze as a garage for the gravel-pit dump trucks, or that they would ride those trucks down the incline of the Golden Gate Bridge? At the Museum, it is not unusual to see children playing within an exhibition in ways never imagined by the exhibit designers.

Bernhard Museum Complex
Auburn, California

Culture, General, History, Historic House, Park, Science

Set on 2.3 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Bernhard Museum Complex includes the Bernhard residence, wine storage building, wine processing building, and a barn. Today, the residence is a Victorian era house museum, but there remain faint whispers from the structure’s Travelers Rest days.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Huntington Beach, California

Science

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

California Agriculture Museum
Woodland, California

Children's, Culture, General, History, Library, Science, Specialized

The museum showcases tractors, harvesters and historical equipment in a 70,000 square foot gallery.

California Oil Museum
Santa Paula, California

History, Science, Specialized

From fossils to "fill 'er up", the story of black gold is told with videos, working models, games, displays, and an authentic turn-of-the-century cabletool drilling rig. In addition, the museum presents new exhibits of art, history and science.

Carolyn Parr Nature Museum
Napa, California

Archaeology, Children's, Library, Natural History, Nature Centers, Park, Science

Displays of native animals and their natural habitats in Napa Valley; native plant, wildlife habitat garden; nature walks in Westwood Hills Park (picnic area); natural resource library available for reference on site, and children's library and games.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

April 27 - April 29, 2025

Oregon Museum Association 2025 Conference

Oregon Museums Association

TBA

Independence, Oregon

Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall

The conference this year is all about trying new things. We are hoping to organize the conference into the following four tracks: Collections Care, Leadership, Emergency Preparedness, and Tourism

Check our website for more details in early 2025

The OMA newsletter is emailed every month with updates on OMA events, museum news, other events, trainings, jobs, grants and more for the museum community in Oregon.

For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.

April 6 - April 9, 2025

Texas Association of Museums 2025 Conference Austin

Texas Association of Museums

AT&T Conference Center

Austin, Texas

Theme: Bridging the Past and Futur

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUM

The Texas Association of Museums (TAM) is excited to host our 2025 Annual Conference in Austin from April 6th - 9th. Inspired by the city’s iconic bridges, the theme of TAM 2025 is “Bridging the Past & Future,” and we will gather to commemorate our rich 50 year history and look to the future

The Texas Association of Museums (TAM) Annual Meeting has been the cornerstone of Texas' museum community for fifty years. As the largest gathering of museum professionals in the state, this premier event offers a unique opportunity to connect with a vibrant and ever-expanding audience of museum enthusiasts

Daytime Programming for the TAM Annual Meeting will be held at the AT&T Conference Center. Evening Receptions are graciously hosted by local cultural institutions: LBJ Presidential Library, Bullock Texas State History Museum, Texas Science & Natural History Museum, and The Contemporary Austin.

For more information, please call 817-332-1177.

October 1 - October 4, 2025

Western Museums Association’s (WMA) 2025 Annual Meeting

Western Museums Association

TBA

Reno, Nevada

Save the Date for WMA 202

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, join us to build relationships and soar higher than ever before. With the theme of ELEVATE, WMA 2025 will explore ways to lift up the experiences of cultural professionals and the communities they serve.

In Reno, Nevada, 4,400 feet above sea level, we will forward the progress of museums by looking to the future.

May 6 - May 9, 2025

2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUMEXPO

American Alliance of Museums

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles, California

AAM 2025 will focus on the theme, Museums & Trust.

Museums have long inspired high levels of public trust, surpassing news outlets, government organizations, researchers and scientists, corporations, and social media platforms. This consistent finding underscores our institutions’ unique position in society as stewards of knowledge, culture, science, and history—areas where credibility and reliability are paramount

In an era marked by mistrust and misinformation, museums have a rare ability to counterbalance the proliferation of false narratives and polarized perspectives. Using our trusted position, we can cultivate a more healthy, empathetic, and informed society.

But to do so, we must maintain our credibility proactively, embracing thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative practices that will defend against influences like bias, resource challenges, abuse of power, and social injustice

An Incredible MuseumExpo

AAM is again partnering this year with the Museum Store Association to host an incredible combined expo hall. Find the most innovative services, products, and solutions in the museum field. With 350 exhibitors, you are bound to find the right partner for your museum’s current challenges and opportunities.

May 5 - May 9, 2025

Museum Store Association FORWARD 2025 in LA

Museum Store Association

The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California

Join MSA in LA

We’re excited about our next MSA FORWARD Conference & Expo in “The City of Angels” – Los Angeles, California in conjunction with the American Alliance of Museums

Join the Museum Store Association (MSA) and hundreds of nonprofit retail professionals for the 70th Annual MSA FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo, taking place May 5-9, 2025 at The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Once again, MSA FORWARD will be held in conjunction with the 2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Expo

Learn best practices and new ideas for store merchandising, operations, marketing, and sale

Participate in dedicated networking events and create connections that will inspire new ideas

Meet with over 200 MSA vendors about your product needs

Hear from knowledgeable industry experts during session breakouts and keynote presentations

Network with AAM attendees and exhibitor

view all conferences
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