California’s museums shine as brightly as its sunshine.

From the Getty Center to the prison island of Alcatraz, from the La Brea Tar Pits to the complete history of Pez dispensers, few states can match the scale, diversity and fun of California’s museums.

Few other U.S. states can match the sheer scope and diversity of California’s museums. Among its 1,000 museums are some of the world’s greatest, such as LA’s Getty Center and the San Diego Museum of Art. Further north, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art features a stellar line-up of modern masters, from Henri Matisse to Jackson Pollack and beyond.

California’s museums are not just limited to bricks and mortar institutions. Wander the decks of World War II-era warships, which now serve as floating museums, such as the USS Iowa and USS Midway, explore the adobe buildings at the Monterey State Historic Park or gaze into bubbling black goo at the La Brea Tar Pits.

But it’s not just the glittering and grand that’s preserved in the Golden State’s museums; the weird, wonderful and macabre are celebrated in scores of smaller institutions too, such as the Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia and Hollywood’s Museum of Death.

The great museums of California
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This vast scientific institution is one of the world’s largest museums of natural history.
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Experience the thrills and hardships of Navy life at this waterfront museum which has become a San Diego landmark.
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Discover a star-studded hangout and marvel at the art deco splendor of one of LA’s stellar attractions.
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Step back in time to a harsh and unforgiving prehistoric Los Angeles, and walk near the footprints of extinct Ice Age animals.
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Culture vultures flock to the largest art museum in the western United States to view collections spanning the history of art from ancient to modern.
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Travel back to Ancient Egypt and discover artifacts from thousands of years of Egyptian civilization including mummies, hieroglyphs and everyday objects.
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Art buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike will enjoy the most famous of Balboa Park’s cultural icons.
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Climb aboard a floating interactive maritime museum that was once one of the most powerful ships in the world.
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Once a religious and agricultural community of a thousand, this mission is now an Orange County historic cultural hub.
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Inspire your child to be the next Neil Armstrong or David Attenborough at this small but comprehensive science museum.
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Discover how trains helped make America what it is today in the largest railroad museum in the country.
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Peer at the night sky through antique and state-of-the-art telescopes and enjoy dazzling light shows at this superb space center. 
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Once the mansion of a wealthy state judge, Crocker Art Museum is now one of the most important collections of art in California.
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See some of the rarest flying machinery left over from World War II and learn about the United States’ role in aviation history.
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Learn about the tools, the traditions and the ways of life of the tribes that inhabited California before Europeans arrived.
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San Jose’s premier art institution celebrates West Coast creativity and explores the new frontiers of technology and art.
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Let your imagination take flight with a simulated trip to the moon or a browse through exhibits dedicated to flying machines. 
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The story of the West and famous faces from the past all come alive at this Palm Springs institution.  
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Immerse yourself in the life, times and works of legendary American novelist John Steinbeck through memorabilia, photos, journals and film. 
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Look for the big black cube to find a place where science engages both mind and body. 

Featured Museum Pages
USA Museums

America is a nation of museum lovers. You might find it heartening to know that the USA has more museums than all of its McDonalds restaurants and Starbucks cafés combined — by a huge margin!
Texas Museums

From bloody revolution to the assignation of JFK, Native American culture to the 1960s space race, the epic narrative of the The Lone Star State roars back to life at its superb museums.
Colorado Museums

Blessed with snow-capped mountains, deep river canyons and endless arid plains, Colorado is usually hailed for its outdoor pursuits. Its museums, however, prove there’s plenty of adventure here for the imagination, too.
Florida Museums

Amusement parks, flamingoes, and beaches, are often the first things that come to mind when thinking of Florida. Drag yourself away from your sun lounge, however, and you’ll discover over 300 inspirational museums.

Other great places to visit in California
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Enjoy an upscale excursion to the country’s best-known and most luxurious wine-growing region.
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Explore the shores of this stunning alpine lake and get active on the mountain slopes, with plenty of beaches, nature parks, casinos and ski resorts to choose from.
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This Californian city attracts visitors looking for sun and sand, and has one of the strongest surfing cultures in the country.
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Discover one of California’s most beautiful coastal cities, known for its fabulous aquarium and for being the setting for a famous John Steinbeck novel. 
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Go gold panning, admire historic architecture and explore fascinating museums in the capital of California, a city constructed on the funds from boomtown fortunes.
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The American Riviera offers historic adobe architecture, plenty of art galleries, wineries and beautiful beaches. 
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This laid-back beach city is a popular destination for surfers and sunbathers. Spot famous residents, explore the university and enjoy the view from the pier.
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Once a swinging spot for Hollywood’s celebrities, today this Southern California city welcomes vacationers from across the country to enjoy its warm weather.
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Take the kids for a swim in the ocean, pet sharks at the aquarium and explore museums and galleries in this laid-back beach city on California’s Pacific Coast.
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Nicknamed California’s Yearlong Playground, this city is a cultural hub, an outdoor destination and a popular stopping point en route to Yosemite National Park.