List of museums in the San Francisco Bay Area

This list of museums in the San Francisco Bay Area is a list of museums, defined for this context as institutions (including nonprofit organizations, government entities, and private businesses) 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 (i.e., virtual museums) are not included.

Museums
Main article: List of museums in California

San Francisco
Name Image Type Summary
Academy of Art University Automobile MuseumAutomobileNon-profit automobile museum
Aquarium of the BayAquariumA variety of San Francisco Bay living habitats house the diverse animal collection, including walk-through tunnel exhibits, transparent touchpools, and a bubbling mountain stream exhibit
Alcatraz IslandPrisonOperated by the National Park Service, former federal prison, access by private ferry
American Bookbinders MuseumHistorywebsite, The history of bookbinding and bookbinders in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
Asian Art Museum of San FranciscoArtArts of India, China, western Asia (including Persia), South-East Asia, Korea & Japan
Beat MuseumLiteraryThe Beats memorabilia and bookstore
Cable Car MuseumTransportation
California Academy of SciencesNatural history
California Historical SocietyLocal historyState history and culture
Cartoon Art MuseumArtArt of comics & cartoons, including original animation cels, comic book pages & early newspaper comic strips
Children's Creativity MuseumChildren's
Chinese Historical Society of America Museum and Learning CenterEthnicHistory of Chinese in U.S.
Chinese Culture CenterArtExhibitions of traditional & contemporary Chinese & Chinese-American art
Contemporary Jewish MuseumEthnicContemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history, art and ideas
de Young MuseumArtAmerican painting, sculpture & decorative art, African, Oceanic, Meso-American, Central & South American art, textiles, contemporary craft, graphics art
EcoCenter at Heron's Head ParkEducation centerA unique education facility that combines environmental education, experience-based learning and habitat restoration
ExploratoriumScienceHands-on science exhibits
Fort Point National Historic SiteMilitaryPart of The Presidio
GLBT History MuseumHistoryHistory and culture of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, communities and movements
Haas-Lilienthal HouseHistoric house1886 Victorian house with period rooms
International Art Museum of AmericaArtEastern and Western art including works by Chinese masters, Yun sculptures, classic 18th to 20th-century European portraits and landscapes
The LABArtInterdisciplinary arts organization with public gallery
Legion of HonorArtMostly French & European art
Madame Tussauds San FranciscoWaxLocated in Fisherman's Wharf, includes San Francisco celebrities, movie stars, music performers, sports stars, politicians and world leaders
Mexican MuseumEthnicHistoric and contemporary art and culture of the Latino, Chicano, Mexican, and Mexican-American people
Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning CenterMultiplewebsite, history of Military Intelligence Service in the Presidio, Japanese American history, art and culture, operated by the National Japanese American Historical Society
Mission Cultural Center for Latino ArtsArtwebsite, cultural arts center and gallery
Mission DoloresReligiousOldest original intact Mission in California and the oldest building in San Francisco
Musée MécaniqueAmusementsPenny arcade games, mechanically operated musical instruments, video arcade games
Museo ItaloAmericanoEthnicItalian and Italian-American art and culture
Museum of Craft and DesignArtwebsite, contemporary craft and design
Museum of Performance & DesignArtPerforming arts
Museum of Russian CultureEthnicwebsite, part of the Russian Center of San Francisco
Museum of the African DiasporaCulturalDiasporan histories of people of African origin & their influence & adaptation throughout the world
North Beach MuseumLocal historyLocated on the 2nd floor of the Eureka Bank building[1]
Octagon House 1861Historic houseOperated by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America
Pacific Heritage MuseumEthnicArtistic, cultural and economic achievements of the peoples of the Pacific Rim[2]
The PresidioMultiplePark with several visitor centers with a fort, marine, military and historical exhibits
Randall MuseumMultipleArt, science, natural history, live animals
Ripley's Believe It or Not!EntertainmentNear Fisherman's Wharf
San Francisco Arts Commission GalleryArtContemporary art, three locations in San Francisco
San Francisco Fire Department MuseumFirefightingwebsite
San Francisco Maritime National Historical ParkMaritimeIncludes a fleet of historic vessels, a visitor center, a maritime museum and a library/research facility
San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtArt
San Francisco Railway MuseumRailwayAntique streetcars, cable cars, earthquake of 1906
San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts CenterPerforming artsTours of the various performance spaces
Sea Lion CenterEducation centerA colony of wild California sea lions now permanently established in this unusual urban location. The center provides free educational programming on the natural history of California sea lions
SFO MuseumMultiplewebsite, Aviation Museum and a selection of temporary exhibitions in the terminals at San Francisco International Airport
Society of California PioneersLocal historyCalifornia art, history, and culture
SS Jeremiah O'BrienMuseum shipWorld War II Liberty ship located at Fisherman's Wharf
Walt Disney Family MuseumBiographicalWalt Disney's life, awards & memorabilia
USS PampanitoMuseum shipSubmarine located at Fisherman's Wharf
Wattis Institute for Contemporary ArtsArtPart of California College of the Arts
Wells Fargo History MuseumHistoryFirst location of the Wells Fargo company, history of the company and the California gold rush
Yerba Buena Center for the ArtsArtContemporary arts center with several galleries

East Bay Area
Name Image Town/City County Region Type Summary
Aftel Archive of Curious ScentsBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayPerfumeThe first museum in the U.S dedicated to perfume and the experience of fragrance. website
Alameda MuseumAlamedaAlamedaEast BayLocal historyOperated by the Alameda Historical Society
Alameda Naval Air MuseumAlamedaAlamedaEast BayMilitarywebsite, history of the Alameda Naval Air Station, ship and airplane models
Alvarado AdobeSan PabloContra CostaEast BayHistoric housewebsite, operated by the San Pablo Historical Society, former home of Juan Alvarado, the governor of Mexican Alta California
African American Museum and Library at OaklandOaklandAlamedaEast BayAfrican American
Ardenwood Historic FarmFremontAlamedaEast BayHistoric housepark includes a farm, a large forest and the 19th century Patterson House
Badè Museum of Biblical ArchaeologyBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayArchaeologyPart of Pacific School of Religion, artifacts from ancient Israel and Palestine, Greek and Cypriot ceramics, Egyptian scarabs, cuneiform tablets from ancient Mesopotamia, and over 300 historic Bibles from around the world
Bailey Art MuseumCrockettContra CostaEast BayArtwebsite, ceramic and metal sculptures by Clayton Bailey, watercolor drawings by Betty Bailey, and pseudo-scientific curiosities by his alter-ego Dr. Gladstone
Bancroft GalleryBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayMultipleExhibitions from the collections of the Bancroft Library
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film ArchiveBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayArtPart of University of California, Berkeley, strengths in historical and contemporary Asian art, early American painting, mid-20th-century, Conceptual, contemporary international art, and California and Bay Area art
Berkeley History CenterBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayLocal historywebsite, operated by the Berkeley Historical Society
Black Diamond Mines Regional PreserveAntiochContra CostaEast BayMiningPark of former coal and sand mine
Blackhawk MuseumBlackhawkContra CostaEast BayAutomotiveClassic cars
Blume HouseSan PabloContra CostaEast BayHistoric housewebsite, operated by the San Pablo Historical Society
Camron-Stanford HouseOaklandAlamedaEast BayHistoric housewebsite, Victorian house museum
Casa PeraltaSan LeandroAlamedaEast BayHistoric house
Chabot Space and Science CenterOaklandAlamedaEast BayScience
Cohen-Bray HouseOaklandAlamedaEast BayHistoric housewebsite, late 19th-century Victorian period house, operated by the Victorian Preservation Center of Oakland
Crockett MuseumCrockettContra CostaEast BayLocal historywebsite
Diablo Valley College Art GalleryPleasant HillContra CostaEast BayArtwebsite
Duarte Garage MuseumLivermoreAlamedaEast BayAutomotivewebsite, operated by the Livermore Heritage Guild, classic cars and auto memorabilia, also called Lincoln Highway Museum
Dublin Heritage Park and MuseumsDublinAlamedaEast BayOpen airwebsite, includes 1856 Murray Schoolhouse, 1859 St. Raymond's Church, Kolb House and outbuildings and Dublin Pioneer Cemetery
Dunsmuir HouseOaklandAlamedaEast BayHistoric house37-room Victorian mansion and estate grounds
Essig Museum of EntomologyBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayNatural historyInsect research museum of the University of California, Berkeley, collections are only open to the public during the annual open house
Galindo House and GardensConcordContra CostaEast BayHistoric house19th century period historic house
Eugene O'Neill National Historic SiteDanvilleContra CostaEast BayHistoric housewebsite Tao House, home of Nobel Prize winning playwright Eugene O'Neill
Forest Home FarmsSan RamonContra CostaEast BayOpen air16 acre park with 2 houses, fourteen outbuildings, and the Victorian period Glass House Museum
Golden State Model Railroad MuseumRichmondContra CostaEast BayRailroadFeatures dozens of realistic city and country scenes, with model trains from different eras running on several layouts in different scales
Golden Gate Railroad MuseumSunolAlamedaEast BayRailroadHouses 12 locomotives and over 25 pieces of rolling stock, which are shown for special events
Habitot Children's MuseumBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayChildren'swebsite
Hayward Area Historical SocietyHaywardAlamedaEast BayLocal historyOperates the HAHS Center for History and Culture
John Muir National Historic SiteMartinezContra CostaEast BayBiographicalwebsite Home of John Muir, "father of the national park service" and founder of the Sierra Club
Lacis Museum of Lace and TextilesBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayTextilewebsite
Lawrence Hall of ScienceBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayScience
Lightship RELIEF – WLV 605OaklandAlamedaEast BayMuseum shipU.S. Coast Guard lightship
Lindsay Wildlife MuseumWalnut CreekContra CostaEast BayNature centerNatural history exhibits, animals, wildlife rehabilitation center
Livermore Carnegie MuseumLivermoreAlamedaEast BayLocal historywebsite, operated by the Livermore Heritage Guild
Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and LifeBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayEthnicArt & history of the Jewish community in the thirteen western United States, now part of the University of California, Berkeley
Martinez MuseumMartinezContra CostaEast BayLocal historywebsite, operated by the Martinez Historical Society
Meek MansionCherrylandAlamedaEast BayHistoric houseOperated by the Hayward Area Historical Society, open for special events
McConaghy HouseHaywardAlamedaEast BayHistoric houseOperated by the Hayward Area Historical Society in Kennedy Park, Victorian estate
Mills College Art MuseumOaklandAlamedaEast BayArtPart of Mills College, creative work of women as artists and curators
Mission San JoséFremontAlamedaEast BayHistoric church
Museum of Art and Digital EntertainmentOaklandAlamedaEast BayComputer GamesPlay vintage video games.
MOCHA: Museum of Children's ArtOaklandAlamedaEast BayChildren'swebsite, hands-on children's art programs
Museum of the San Ramon ValleyDanvilleContra CostaEast BayLocal historywebsite, housed in the Danville Southern Pacific Railroad Depot
Museum of Vertebrate ZoologyBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayNatural historyResearch museum of the University of California, Berkeley, collections are only open to the public during the annual open house, but a limited number exhibits are on display outside of the collection
Museum on MainPleasantonAlamedaEast BayLocal historywebsite, operated by the Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society
Niles Canyon RailwayFremontAlamedaEast BayRailwayHeritage train and bus rides
Niles Depot MuseumFremontAlamedaEast BayRailwayModel railroads
Niles Essanay Silent Film MuseumFremontAlamedaEast BayMediaSilent films and their history
Oakland Asian Cultural CenterOaklandAlamedaEast BayCultureAsian Pacific arts, culture and history
Oakland Aviation MuseumOaklandAlamedaEast BayAviationFormerly the Western Aerospace Museum, over 30 vintage and modern airplanes, both civilian and military, and other displays that highlight noted aviators and innovators
Oakland Museum of CaliforniaOaklandAlamedaEast BayMultipleArt, history, culture and natural environment of California
Pacific Pinball MuseumAlamedaAlamedaEast BayAmusementFormerly the Lucky JuJu Pinball Museum, history, science and art of pinball machines
Pardee HomeOaklandAlamedaEast BayHistoric house1969 Victorian mansion with decorative artifacts
Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of AnthropologyBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayAnthropologyFormerly the Lowie Museum of Anthropology, part of the University of California at Berkeley, collections include Native California, China, Africa ancient civilizations of Egypt, Peru, North America and the Mediterranean
Playland-Not-At-The-BeachEl CerritoContra CostaEast BayAmusementAmusement park games, memorabilia, pinball machines, antique amusement devices, live magic shows, a hand-carved miniature circus, side show acts, miniature dioramas, Fascination games, historic exhibits
Richmond Museum of HistoryRichmondContra CostaEast BayLocal historywebsite
Saint Mary's College Museum of ArtMoragaContra CostaEast BayArtwebsite, part of Saint Mary's College of California, collection includes works by Andy Warhol, William Keith and over 4000 art objects
San Leandro History Museum & Art GallerySan LeandroAlamedaEast BayLocal historywebsite
Shadelands Ranch MuseumWalnut CreekContra CostaEast BayLocal historyOperated by the Walnut Creek Historical Society
SS Red Oak VictoryRichmondContra CostaEast BayMaritimePart of Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, World War II Victory ship
Takara Sake MuseumBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayFoodwebsite, historical sake-making process, sake artifacts and implements, history of sake-making in the United States
Thorsen HouseBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayHistoric houseAmerican Craftsman style house
Union City Historical MuseumUnion CityAlamedaEast BayLocal history[3]
University of California Museum of PaleontologyBerkeleyAlamedaEast BayPaleontologyCollections are only open to the public during the annual open house, but a limited number of fossil exhibits are on display outside of the collection
USS Hornet MuseumAlamedaAlamedaEast BayMuseum shipUnited States Navy aircraft carrier that served in World War II, the Vietnam War, and also played a part in the Apollo program
USS Potomac (AG-25)OaklandAlamedaEast BayMuseum shipPresident Franklin Roosevelt's presidential yacht
Washington Township Museum of Local HistoryFremontAlamedaEast BayLocal historyFocused on southwestern part of Alameda County, the museum has exhibits, walking tours, and classes.

San Francisco Peninsula
Name Image Town/City County Region Type Summary
Anderson Collection Stanford Santa Clara San Francisco Peninsula Art One of the world's most outstanding private assemblies of modern and contemporary American art.
Burlingame Museum of Pez MemorabiliaBurlingameSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaToyPez dispensers, includes the Classic Toy Museum with toys of the past
Colma Historical MuseumColmaSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaLocal historywebsite, operated by the Colma Historical Association
CuriOdysseySan MateoSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaNatural historyNatural history and environmental education center with an aviary and over 50 non-releasable native animals, formerly the Coyote Point Museum
FiloliWoodsideSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaHistoric house43-room country estate with 16-acre (6.5 ha) formal garden
Hiller Aviation MuseumSan CarlosSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaAviationVintage and futuristic aircraft, prototypes, photographic displays and models
Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual ArtsStanford UniversitySanta ClaraSan Francisco PeninsulaArtwebsite Art including the largest collection of works by Auguste Rodin in the USA
Millbrae MuseumMillbraeSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaLocal historywebsite, operated by the Millbrae Historical Society, antique furnishings, clothing, household items, transportation
Millbrae Train MuseumMillbraeSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaRailroadwebsite, operated by the Millbrae Historical Society
Peninsula Museum of ArtBurlingameSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaArtChanging exhibitions of work by outstanding artists of the Greater Bay Area
Sanchez AdobePacificaSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaHistoric houseOperated by the San Mateo County History Museum
San Mateo County History MuseumRedwood CitySan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaLocal historyHistory of San Mateo County including natural resources, immigration, important figures, industries, maritime history
South San Francisco Historical Society MuseumSouth San FranciscoSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaLocal Historywebsite, artifacts, memorabilia, oral histories, photograph collection
Woodside StoreWoodsideSan MateoSan Francisco PeninsulaHistoric siteOperated by the San Mateo County History Museum, general store restored to 1880s appearance

Santa Clara Valley

Entries in this list are generally according to Santa Clara Valley.

Name Image Town/City County Region Type Summary
Agnews Historic Cemetery & MuseumSanta ClaraSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyMedicalwebsite, historic cemetery and museum about the Agnews State Hospital and later Agnews Developmental Center from 1888 to 2009, museum open by appointment
Ainsley HouseCampbellSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyHistoric house1925 Craftsman-style house, Morgan Gallery in the carriage house features exhibits of local history
Berryessa AdobeSanta ClaraSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyHistoric housewebsite, 1840s adobe house
California History CenterCupertinoSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyHistoryEducation center and exhibit hall on regional and California history, part of De Anza College
Campbell Historical MuseumCampbellSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyLocal historySmall history museum located in the city of Campbell's first public building, Firehouse No. 1. Features interactive exhibits that rotate once a year.
Children's Discovery Museum of San JoseSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyChildren's
Computer History MuseumMountain ViewSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyComputerHome to the largest and most significant collection of computing artifacts in the world, includes collection from now closed Computer Museum, Boston
Cupertino Historical Society and MuseumCupertinoSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyLocal historywebsite
De Saisset MuseumSanta ClaraSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyMultiplePart of the Santa Clara University, art & history, includes paintings, jewels, silver, tapestries, California & Native American historical artifacts
Euphrat Museum of ArtCupertinoSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArtPart of De Anza College
Gilroy MuseumGilroySanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyLocal historywebsite, Gilroy Historical Society, history of Gilroy and the South Santa Clara County area, housed in the historic 1910 Carnegie Library Building
Harris-Lass MuseumSanta ClaraSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyHistoric housewebsite, operated by the Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara, 19th-century Italianate farmhouse
Headen-Inman HouseSanta ClaraSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyLocal historyExhibits on local history, located on the grounds of the Triton Museum of Art
History Park at Kelley ParkSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyOpen airIncludes 27 original and reproduction homes, business and landmarks, Portuguese Historical Museum, Viet Museum, trolley barn with vehicles, art gallery
Hoover Institution Library and ArchivesStanfordSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyHistoryPart of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, changing exhibits from the collections in the Herbert Hoover Memorial Exhibit Pavilion
Intel MuseumSanta ClaraSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyScienceTransistors, computer memory, microprocessors, how computer chips are made, history of Intel
Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven StudiesSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyMusicLife and works of composer Ludwig van Beethoven, operated by San Jose State University and the American Beethoven Society
Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual ArtsStanfordSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArtFormerly the Stanford University Museum of Art, part of Stanford University, includes Auguste Rodin sculpture garden
Japanese American Museum of San JoseSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyEthnicLocated in Japantown, Japanese American art, history and culture
Junior Museum & ZooPalo AltoSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyMultiplewebsite, owned and operated by the City of Palo Alto, hands-on science and natural history exhibits, live animals
Los Altos History MuseumLos AltosSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyLocal historyIncludes the early 20th century J. Gilbert Smith House, area agriculture, cultural history
Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA)San JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArtA contemporary Latinx visual arts and performing arts space, as well as a community arts education program.
Moffett Field Historical Society MuseumMoffett FieldSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyAviationwebsite, history of Moffett Federal Airfield, Navy airship USS Macon
Museum of American HeritagePalo AltoSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyHistoryAlso known as MOAH, inventions and technology of the 19th and 20th century in a series of settings typical of the era
NASA Ames Exploration CenterMoffett Federal AirfieldSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyScienceNASA technology, missions and space exploration
New Almaden Quicksilver Mining MuseumNew AlmadenSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyMiningExhibits about the history of mercury mining and the lifestyles of mining communities at New Almaden
New Museum Los GatosLos GatosSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyMultipleLocal history and art
Palo Alto Art CenterPalo AltoSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArtArt and artists of the San Francisco Bay Area
Peralta AdobeSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyHistoric houseOpen by appointment
Portuguese Historical MuseumSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyEthnicPart of History Park at Kelley Park, Portuguese history and culture, immigration into the Santa Clara Valley
Rengstorff HouseMountain ViewSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyHistoric houseVictorian Italianate mansion with period rooms
Rosicrucian Egyptian MuseumSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArchaeologicalAncient Egypt
San Benito County Historical & Recreational ParkHollisterSan BenitoSanta Clara ValleyOpen airwebsite, operated by the San Benito County Historical Society, historical village includes a school, dance hall, bar, jail, several houses, print shop and antique farm vehicles
San Jose Institute of Contemporary ArtSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArtContemporary art by emerging and established Bay Area artists
San Jose Museum of ArtSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArtFocuses on West Coast artists and artists of the Pacific Rim
San Jose Museum of Quilts & TextilesSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyTextileQuilts and textiles as an art form
South Bay Historical Railroad Society MuseumSanta ClaraSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyRailroadAlso known as the Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History, housed in the Santa Clara Depot
Sunnyvale Heritage Park MuseumSunnyvaleSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyLocal history
The Tech Museum of InnovationSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyScience
Thompson Gallery at San José State UniversitySan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArtwebsite, located in Art Building No. 127
Triton Museum of ArtSanta ClaraSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArtContemporary and historical works of art by artists of the Greater Bay Area
Viet MuseumSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyEthnicPart of History Park at Kelley Park, experience of Vietnamese Americans and their journey from Vietnam to the United States
Villa Mira MonteMorgan HillSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyMultiplewebsite, operated by the Morgan Hill Historical Society, 1884 Hiram Morgan Hill House with Queen Anne and Stick/Eastlake design, Morgan Hill Museum with a rock and mineral collection
Villa MontalvoSaratogaSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArtHistoric mansion, houses the Montalvo Arts Center with a gallery and performing arts
Wapple House MuseumHollisterSan BenitoSanta Clara ValleyLocal historywebsite, operated by the San Benito County Historical Society
Winchester Mystery HouseSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyHistoric house160-room Victorian mansion with many unexplained oddities
Wings of History MuseumSan MartinSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyAviationAntique aircraft and aircraft engines
Works/San JoseSan JoseSanta ClaraSanta Clara ValleyArtwebsite, alternative community art and performance center with exhibit gallery

Other San Francisco Bay Area
Name Image Town/City County Region Type Summary
Arts BeniciaBeniciaSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaArtwebsite, art center with exhibit gallery
Bay Area Discovery MuseumSausalitoMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaChildren's
Bay Model Visitor CenterSausalitoMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaScienceThree-dimensional hydraulic model of San Francisco Bay and Delta areas capable of simulating tides and currents, over 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) in size, operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers
Benicia Capitol State Historic ParkBeniciaSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaHistoryCalifornia's third capitol building, restored to 1850s appearance
Benicia Fire MuseumBeniciaSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaFirefightingwebsite, historic fire engines, trucks, equipment
Benicia Historical MuseumBeniciaSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaLocal historywebsite
Bolinas MuseumBolinasMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaArtwebsite
California Indian Museum and Cultural CenterSanta RosaSonomaNorth CoastNative Americanwebsite, California Indian history and culture from an Indian perspective
California Missions MuseumSonomaSonomaNorth CoastHistoryLocated at Cline Cellars, models of the California missions
Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research CenterSanta RosaSonomaNorth CoastBiographicalLife and art of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz
Children's Museum of Sonoma CountySanta RosaSonomaNorth CoastChildren'swebsite
China Camp State ParkSan RafaelMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaOpen airExhibits about former Chinese shrimp-fishing village including a house museum
Cloverdale History Center and MuseumCloverdaleSonomaNorth CoastHistoric housewebsite, operated by the Cloverdale Historical Society, includes the late 19th-century Gould-Shaw House
Depot Park MuseumPetalumaSonomaNorth CoastLocal historywebsite, operated by the Sonoma Valley Historical Society, includes railroad artifacts and displays, a Victorian kitchen and historic schoolroom
Dixie SchoolhouseSan RafaelMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaEducationOne room schoolhouse
Dutra Museum of DredgingRio VistaSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaIndustrywebsite, private collection of dredging equipment and fossils, open by appointment
Falkirk Cultural CenterSan RafaelMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaArtwebsite, owned and operated by the City of San Rafael
Fort Ross State Historic ParkFort RossSonomaNorth CoastOpen airearly 19th-century Russian-American Company settlement
Hamilton Field History MuseumNovatoMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaMilitarywebsite, history of Hamilton Army Airfield
Hand Fan MuseumHealdsburgSonomaNorth CoastDecorative artsMuseum about fans and the cultures and people who use them
Healdsburg Center for the ArtsHealdsburgSonomaNorth CoastArtwebsite, community arts center
Healdsburg Museum and Historical SocietyHealdsburgSonomaNorth CoastLocal historywebsite
Jack London State Historic ParkGlen EllenSonomaNorth CoastBiographicalAlso known as Jack London Home and Ranch
Jack Mason Museum of West Marin HistoryInvernessMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaLocal historywebsite
Jesse Peter MuseumSanta RosaSonomaNorth CoastNative AmericanNative American art of North America and ethnographic art of parts of Mesoamerica, Central America, South America, Africa, and Asia
Luther Burbank Home and GardensSanta RosaSonomaNorth CoastHistoric house
Luther Burbank's Gold Ridge Experiment FarmSebastopolSonomaNorth CoastHistoric house
Marin History MuseumSan RafaelMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaLocal historyMarin County history and culture
Marin Museum of Contemporary ArtNovatoMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaContemporary ArtPresents new work by emerging and established artists
Marin Museum of the American IndianNovatoMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaNative AmericanSituated on an actual site of a Miwok village
McCune Room at JFK LibraryVallejoSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaLiterarywebsite, collection of rare and unique books, printing equipment and binding tools
Military Antiques & MuseumPetalumaSonomaNorth CoastMilitarywebsite
Mission San Francisco de SolanoSonomaSonomaNorth CoastBiographicalOne of the sites of Sonoma State Historic Park, 19th-century Spanish mission
Mission San Rafael ArcángelSan RafaelMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaHistoryEarly 19th-century Spanish mission
Mount Tamalpais State ParkMill ValleyMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaHistoryEast Peak Visitor Center includes museum about the park's history and natural history, including the former railroad used to bring up visitors[4]
Nike Missile Site SF-88Golden Gate National Recreation AreaMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaMilitaryHistory of defensive missiles that protected San Francisco and other major cities in the United States. Only site that can lift a missile into launch position.
Novato History MuseumNovatoMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaLocal historywebsite
Pacific Coast Air MuseumSanta RosaSonomaNorth CoastAviationRestored American military, propeller and jet aircraft
Pena AdobeVacavilleSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaHistoric houseOperated by the Peña Adobe Historical Society, also adjacent Mowers-Goheen Museum
Petaluma Adobe State Historic ParkPetalumaSonomaNorth CoastHistoric houseHistoric ranch and adobe house
Petaluma Historical Library and MuseumPetalumaSonomaNorth CoastLocal historyHoused in a Carnegie library, exhibits include Petaluma poultry, dairy, and Miwok Indian history
Petaluma Wildlife & Natural Science MuseumPetalumaSonomaNorth CoastNatural historyLive and taxidermied animals, housed on the Petaluma High School campus
Point Reyes National SeashoreMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaMultipleIncludes Kule Loklo (a recreated Coast Miwok village), Lighthouse Visitor Center and Point Reyes Lighthouse, the Bear Valley Visitor Center with exhibits about the park's ecosystems and cultural heritage, and the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center with exhibits about 16th century maritime exploration, marine fossils and marine environments
Rancho Obi-WanPetalumaSonomaNorth CoastMediawebsite, private tours of a collection of Star Wars props, movie items, toys, art and memorabilia
Rio Vista MuseumRio VistaSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaLocal historywebsite
San Anselmo Historical MuseumSan AnselmoMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaLocal historywebsite
Robert F. Agrella Art GallerySanta RosaSonomaNorth CoastArtPart of Santa Rosa Junior College, exhibits include art history, ceramics, computer graphics, drawing, graphic design, jewelry, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture
Sebastopol Center for the ArtsSebastopolSonomaNorth CoastArtwebsite
Sonoma County MuseumSanta RosaSonomaNorth CoastMultipleHistory, art, and culture of the region
Sonoma State Historic ParkSonomaSonomaNorth CoastOpen airSix historic sites including Mission San Francisco de Solano, the Presidio of Sonoma, the Vallejo Estate, a historic houses, a hotel and inn
Sonoma State University Art GalleryRohnert ParkSonomaNorth CoastArtExhibits of modern and contemporary art[5]
Sonoma Valley Museum of ArtSonomaSonomaNorth CoastArtWorks by regional, national and international modern and contemporary artists
The Space Station MuseumNovatoMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaAerospacewebsite, history of space exploration, collections of U.S., Russian and Soviet space exploration artifacts
Spaulding Wooden Boat CenterSausalitoMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaMaritimeRestores and preserves significant, historic wooden sailing vessels
Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot MuseumTiburonMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaTransportationRailroad and ferry history and artifacts, operated by the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society
Travis Air Force Base Heritage CenterFairfieldSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaAviationFeatures over 35 outdoor aircraft
United States Immigration StationAngel IslandMarinSan Francisco Bay AreaHistoryLocated in Angel Island State Park
Vacaville MuseumVacavilleSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaLocal historywebsite
Vallejo Naval & Historical MuseumVallejoSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaLocal historywebsite, local history, Mare Island Naval Shipyard and U.S. Navy history
West County MuseumSebastopolSonomaNorth CoastLocal historywebsite, operated by the Western Sonoma County Historical Society
Western Railway MuseumSuisunSolanoSan Francisco Bay AreaRailroadHistoric streetcars and interurban electric trains from all over California and other western states
Windsor MuseumWindsorSonomaNorth CoastLocal historywebsite, operated by the Windsor Historical Society in the Hembree House

Defunct museums
Name Image Town/City County Region Type Summary
Diablo Valley College Museum Pleasant Hill Contra Costa County San Francisco Bay Area [6]
Hall of Health Berkeley Alameda County San Francisco Bay Area sponsored by Children's Hospital & Research Center at Oakland, closed in 2009[7]
Museum of Conceptual Art San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco Bay Area closed in 1984
Natural World Museum San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco Bay Area Education A mobile museum focused on environment concerns, closed in 2009.
New Langton Arts San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco Bay Area Arts closed in 2009
Treasure Island Museum San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco Bay Area Local history, Arts closed in 1997, building tours by appointment, group working to establish new museum[8]
San Francisco Museum at the Mint San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco Bay Area Local history planned museum in the Old Mint to be operated by the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society.
Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco Bay Area closed in 2013
World of the Unexplained museum San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco Bay Area closed in 1985

See also

References
  1. "San Francisco: North Beach". SF Gate. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  2. "Pacific Heritage Museum". SF Station. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  3. "Union City Historical Museum". Yelp. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  4. "East Peak Visitor Center". Friends of Mt Tam. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  5. "University Art Gallery". Sonoma State University. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  6. "Diablo Valley College Museum". Museums USA. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  7. http://www.hallofhealth.org/ Hall of Health, Retrieved December 4, 2013
  8. "Official site". Treasure Island Museum Association. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
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