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List of museums in the San Francisco Bay Area facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The San Francisco Bay Area is a super cool place with tons of amazing museums! This list will help you discover places where you can explore art, history, science, and even old cars or trains. These museums collect and take care of special items. They share these collections with everyone. Get ready to find your next adventure!

Awesome Museums in San Francisco

San Francisco City Adventures

  • Aquarium of the Bay: Dive into the underwater world of the San Francisco Bay! See local sea creatures, walk through clear tunnels, and even touch some animals.
  • Alcatraz Island: Explore a famous old prison on an island. It's now a national park where you can learn about its history. You get there by ferry!
  • Asian Art Museum of San Francisco: Discover beautiful art from places like India, China, Korea, and Japan. It's a journey through different cultures.
  • Beat Museum: Learn about the "Beat Generation," a group of writers and artists from the past. See their cool stuff and books.
  • Cable Car Museum: Find out how San Francisco's famous cable cars work. It's all about transportation history!
  • California Academy of Sciences: This huge museum has it all! Explore natural history, see live animals, and even visit a planetarium.
  • California Historical Society: Learn about the history and culture of California, from long ago to today.
  • Cartoon Art Museum: Love comics and cartoons? This museum shows off original animation, comic book pages, and old newspaper strips.
  • Children's Creativity Museum: A fun place where you can get creative with hands-on activities and projects.
  • Chinese Historical Society of America Museum and Learning Center: Discover the history of Chinese people in the United States.
  • Chinese Culture Center: See amazing traditional and modern art from China and Chinese-American artists.
  • Contemporary Jewish Museum: Explore Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas through modern exhibits.
  • de Young Museum: This art museum has a huge collection, including American art, African art, and cool textiles.
  • EcoCenter at Heron's Head Park: A special place to learn about the environment and how to protect nature.
  • Exploratorium: Get ready for hands-on science fun! This museum is packed with interactive exhibits that make learning exciting.
  • Fort Point National Historic Site: Visit an old fort right under the Golden Gate Bridge. It's part of The Presidio.
  • GLBT History Museum: Learn about the history and culture of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
  • Haas-Lilienthal House: Step back in time in this beautiful Victorian house from 1886, filled with old furniture and decorations.
  • Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco: See exciting and new art from today's artists.
  • International Art Museum of America: Explore art from both Eastern and Western cultures, including Chinese masters and European paintings.
  • The LAB: An art space that shows off different kinds of art and performances.
  • Legion of Honor: This museum has lots of French and European art, like paintings and sculptures.
  • Letterform Archive: Discover the history of letters, fonts, printing, and graphic design. It's all about how words look!
  • Mexican Museum: Celebrate the art and culture of Latino, Chicano, Mexican, and Mexican-American people.
  • Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center: Learn about the history of the Military Intelligence Service and Japanese American culture.
  • Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts: A lively center with art exhibits and cultural events.
  • Mission Dolores: Visit the oldest original mission in California and the oldest building in San Francisco!
  • Musée Mécanique: Have fun with old-fashioned arcade games, mechanical musical instruments, and video games.
  • Museo ItaloAmericano: Explore Italian and Italian-American art and culture.
  • Museum of Craft and Design: See amazing modern crafts and designs made by artists.
  • Museum of Performance & Design: Discover the world of performing arts, like theater and dance.
  • Museum of Russian Culture: Learn about Russian art and culture at this museum.
  • Museum of the African Diaspora: Explore the stories of people of African origin and how their culture spread around the world.
  • North Beach Museum: Learn about the history of the North Beach neighborhood.
  • Octagon House 1861: A unique eight-sided historic house from 1861.
  • Pacific Heritage Museum: Celebrate the art, culture, and achievements of people from the Pacific Rim.
  • The Presidio: This big park has several visitor centers with exhibits about forts, marine life, military history, and more.
  • Randall Museum: A cool place with art, science, natural history, and even live animals!
  • Ripley's Believe It or Not!: See strange and unbelievable exhibits near Fisherman's Wharf.
  • San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery: Check out contemporary art in different locations around the city.
  • San Francisco Fire Department Museum: Learn about the history of firefighting in San Francisco.
  • San Francisco Historical Society: Discover the history of San Francisco itself.
  • San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park: Explore historic ships, a visitor center, and a museum all about the sea.
  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: See modern art from different artists and styles.
  • San Francisco Music Hall of Fame Gallery: This gallery shows off about 90 famous San Francisco Bay Area artists and bands.
  • San Francisco Railway Museum: Learn about antique streetcars, cable cars, and the 1906 earthquake.
  • San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center: Take a tour of these beautiful buildings where performances happen.
  • Sea Lion Center: Watch wild California sea lions and learn all about them at this special center.
  • SFO Museum: Explore aviation history and see temporary art exhibits right at the San Francisco International Airport.
  • Society of California Pioneers: Learn about California's art, history, and culture from the early days.
  • SS Jeremiah O'Brien: Step aboard a real World War II Liberty ship at Fisherman's Wharf.
  • Tenderloin Museum: Discover the history of the Tenderloin neighborhood.
  • Walt Disney Family Museum: Learn all about the life of Walt Disney, his awards, and his amazing creations.
  • USS Pampanito: Explore a real submarine from World War II, also located at Fisherman's Wharf.
  • Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts: See modern art as part of the California College of the Arts.
  • Wells Fargo History Museum: Learn about the history of the Wells Fargo company and the California Gold Rush.
  • Yerba Buena Center for the Arts: A modern art center with several galleries to explore.

East Bay Area Discoveries

East Bay City by City

  • Aftel Archive of Curious Scents (Berkeley): The first museum in the U.S. dedicated to perfume! Explore the world of smells.
  • Aggregate Space Gallery (Oakland): A cool art space run by artists, showing exhibitions and performances.
  • Alameda Museum (Alameda): Learn about the local history of Alameda.
  • Alameda Naval Air Museum (Alameda): Discover the history of the Alameda Naval Air Station with ship and airplane models.
  • Alvarado Adobe (San Pablo): Visit the historic home of Juan Bautista Alvarado, a former governor of Mexican California.
  • African American Museum and Library at Oakland (Oakland): Explore African American history and culture.
  • Ardenwood Historic Farm (Fremont): A park with a farm, a forest, and a 19th-century house. See what farm life was like long ago.
  • Badè Museum of Biblical Archaeology (Berkeley): See ancient artifacts from Israel, Palestine, Egypt, and Mesopotamia.
  • Bancroft Gallery (Berkeley): Check out special exhibitions from the amazing collections of the Bancroft Library.
  • Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (Berkeley): This art museum has a wide range of art, from ancient Asian pieces to modern art.
  • Berkeley History Center (Berkeley): Learn about the local history of Berkeley.
  • Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve (Antioch): Explore a park that used to be a coal and sand mine.
  • Blackhawk Museum (Blackhawk): See a fantastic collection of classic cars!
  • Blume House (San Pablo): Another historic house operated by the San Pablo Historical Society.
  • Camron-Stanford House (Oakland): Visit a beautiful Victorian house museum.
  • Casa Peralta (San Leandro): A historic house in San Leandro.
  • Chabot Space and Science Center (Oakland): Look up at the stars and learn about space and science with cool exhibits.
  • The Cobra Experience (Martinez): A museum dedicated to the famous Shelby Cobra cars.
  • Cohen-Bray House (Oakland): Step into a late 19th-century Victorian house.
  • Crockett Museum (Crockett): Learn about the local history of Crockett.
  • Diablo Valley College Art Gallery (Pleasant Hill): See art exhibitions at the college.
  • Duarte Garage Museum (Livermore): Check out classic cars and auto memorabilia. It's also called the Lincoln Highway Museum.
  • Dublin Heritage Park and Museums (Dublin): An open-air museum with an old schoolhouse, church, and historic homes.
  • Dunsmuir House (Oakland): Explore a grand 37-room Victorian mansion and its beautiful grounds.
  • Essig Museum of Entomology (Berkeley): A research museum all about insects! You can visit during their annual open house.
  • Galindo House and Gardens (Concord): A historic 19th-century house.
  • Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site (Danville): Visit Tao House, the home of famous playwright Eugene O'Neill.
  • Forest Home Farms (San Ramon): A 16-acre park with two houses, old farm buildings, and a Victorian Glass House Museum.
  • Golden State Model Railroad Museum (Richmond): See amazing model trains running through realistic city and country scenes.
  • Golden Gate Railroad Museum (Sunol): This museum houses many locomotives and train cars, shown during special events.
  • Habitot Children's Museum (Berkeley): A hands-on museum just for kids!
  • Hayward Area Historical Society (Hayward): Learn about the history of the Hayward area.
  • Joel Clayton Historic House Museum (Clayton): Discover local history in Clayton.
  • John Muir National Historic Site (Martinez): Visit the home of John Muir, known as the "father of the national park service."
  • Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles (Berkeley): Explore the beautiful world of lace and textiles.
  • Lawrence Hall of Science (Berkeley): Another fantastic science museum with lots of interactive exhibits.
  • Lightship RELIEF – WLV 605 (Oakland): Step aboard a U.S. Coast Guard lightship.
  • Lindsay Wildlife Museum (Walnut Creek): See natural history exhibits, live animals, and learn about wildlife rescue.
  • Livermore Carnegie Museum (Livermore): Learn about the local history of Livermore.
  • Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life (Berkeley): Explore Jewish art and history, especially in the western United States.
  • Martinez Museum (Martinez): Discover the local history of Martinez.
  • Meek Mansion (Cherryland): A historic mansion open for special events.
  • McConaghy House (Hayward): A Victorian estate in Kennedy Park.
  • Mills College Art Museum (Oakland): See creative works by women artists and curators.
  • Mission San José (Fremont): Visit this historic church, one of California's old missions.
  • Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (Oakland): Play vintage video games and learn about computer game history!
  • MOCHA: Museum of Children's Art (Oakland): Hands-on art programs for kids.
  • Museum of the San Ramon Valley (Danville): Learn about the history of the San Ramon Valley.
  • Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (Berkeley): A research museum about animals with backbones. You can see some exhibits during their open house.
  • Museum on Main (Pleasanton): Discover the local history of Pleasanton.
  • Niles Canyon Railway (Fremont): Take a ride on a heritage train or bus!
  • Niles Depot Museum (Fremont): See cool model railroads.
  • Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum (Fremont): Learn about silent films and their history.
  • Oakland Asian Cultural Center (Oakland): Explore Asian Pacific arts, culture, and history.
  • Oakland Aviation Museum (Oakland): See over 30 vintage and modern airplanes, both civilian and military.
  • Oakland Museum of California (Oakland): This museum covers California's art, history, culture, and natural environment.
  • Orly Museum of Hungarian Culture (Berkeley): Learn about Hungarian culture.
  • Pacific Pinball Museum (Alameda): Discover the history, science, and art of pinball machines!
  • Pardee Home (Oakland): A beautiful 1969 Victorian mansion with old decorations.
  • Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology (Berkeley): See collections from Native California, China, Africa, and ancient civilizations.
  • Richmond Museum of History (Richmond): Learn about the local history of Richmond.
  • Saint Mary's College Museum of Art (Moraga): This art museum has works by famous artists like Andy Warhol.
  • San Leandro History Museum & Art Gallery (San Leandro): Discover the local history of San Leandro.
  • Shadelands Ranch Museum (Walnut Creek): Learn about local history at this ranch museum.
  • SS Red Oak Victory (Richmond): Step aboard a World War II Victory ship. It's part of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.
  • Takara Sake Museum (Berkeley): Learn about the history of sake-making.
  • Thorsen House (Berkeley): A beautiful American Craftsman style house.
  • Union City Historical Museum (Union City): Discover the local history of Union City.
  • University of California Museum of Paleontology (Berkeley): A research museum about fossils and ancient life. You can see some exhibits during their open house.
  • USS Hornet Museum (Alameda): Explore a real United States Navy aircraft carrier that served in World War II and the Vietnam War!
  • USS Potomac (AG-25) (Oakland): Visit President Franklin Roosevelt's presidential yacht.
  • Washington Township Museum of Local History (Fremont): Focuses on the history of the southwestern part of Alameda County.

San Francisco Peninsula Adventures

Peninsula Highlights

  • Anderson Collection (Stanford): See an amazing collection of modern and contemporary American art.
  • Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia (Burlingame): If you love Pez, this is the place! It also has a Classic Toy Museum.
  • Colma Historical Museum (Colma): Learn about the local history of Colma.
  • CuriOdyssey (San Mateo): A natural history and environmental education center with an aviary and over 50 native animals.
  • Filoli (Woodside): Explore a beautiful 43-room country estate with a huge formal garden.
  • Hiller Aviation Museum (San Carlos): See vintage and futuristic aircraft, prototypes, and models.
  • Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts (Stanford): This art museum has a huge collection, including many works by the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin.
  • Millbrae Museum (Millbrae): Learn about local history, antique furnishings, and transportation.
  • Millbrae Train Museum (Millbrae): All about railroads and trains!
  • Peninsula Museum of Art (San Bruno): See changing art exhibitions by artists from the Bay Area.
  • Sanchez Adobe (Pacifica): A historic house operated by the San Mateo County History Museum.
  • San Mateo County History Museum (Redwood City): Discover the history of San Mateo County, including its natural resources and maritime past.
  • South San Francisco Historical Society Museum (South San Francisco): Explore artifacts, photos, and stories about South San Francisco.
  • The Foster Museum (Palo Alto): A special museum showing the artwork of artist-explorer Tony Foster.
  • Woodside Store (Woodside): A general store restored to look like it did in the 1880s.

Santa Clara Valley Explorations

Santa Clara Valley's Best Museums

  • Agnews Historic Cemetery & Museum (Santa Clara): Learn about the history of the Agnews State Hospital.
  • Ainsley House (Campbell): A beautiful 1925 Craftsman-style house with local history exhibits.
  • Berryessa Adobe (Santa Clara): Visit an adobe house from the 1840s.
  • California History Center (Cupertino): An education center and exhibit hall about California history.
  • Campbell Historical Museum (Campbell): A small museum in Campbell's first firehouse, with interactive exhibits.
  • Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose (San Jose): A fantastic children's museum with lots of hands-on activities.
  • Computer History Museum (Mountain View): Explore the amazing history of computers and technology!
  • Cupertino Historical Society and Museum (Cupertino): Learn about the local history of Cupertino.
  • De Saisset Museum (Santa Clara): This museum has art and history, including paintings, jewels, and Native American artifacts.
  • Euphrat Museum of Art (Cupertino): An art museum at De Anza College.
  • Gilroy Museum (Gilroy): Discover the history of Gilroy and the South Santa Clara County area.
  • Harris-Lass Museum (Santa Clara): A 19th-century Italianate farmhouse.
  • Headen-Inman House (Santa Clara): Exhibits on local history, located at the Triton Museum of Art.
  • History Park at Kelley Park (San Jose): An open-air park with 27 historic homes, businesses, and landmarks, plus the Portuguese Historical Museum and Viet Museum.
  • Hoover Institution Library and Archives (Stanford): See changing exhibits from the collections at Stanford University.
  • Intel Museum (Santa Clara): Learn how computer chips are made and the history of Intel.
  • Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies (San Jose): Discover the life and works of the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
  • Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts (Stanford): This art museum has a sculpture garden with works by Auguste Rodin.
  • Japanese American Museum of San Jose (San Jose): Located in Japantown, it explores Japanese American art, history, and culture.
  • Junior Museum & Zoo (Palo Alto): Hands-on science and natural history exhibits, plus live animals!
  • Los Altos History Museum (Los Altos): Learn about local agriculture and cultural history, including the J. Gilbert Smith House.
  • Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA) (San Jose): A contemporary Latino art and performing arts space.
  • Moffett Field Historical Society Museum (Moffett Field): Learn about the history of Moffett Federal Airfield.
  • Museum of American Heritage (Palo Alto): See inventions and technology from the 19th and 20th centuries.
  • NASA Ames Exploration Center (Moffett Field): Explore NASA technology, missions, and space exploration.
  • New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum (New Almaden): Learn about the history of mercury mining.
  • New Museum Los Gatos (Los Gatos): Features local history and art.
  • Palo Alto Art Center (Palo Alto): Showcases art and artists from the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Peralta Adobe (San Jose): A historic adobe house.
  • Portuguese Historical Museum (San Jose): Part of History Park, it explores Portuguese history and culture.
  • Rengstorff House (Mountain View): A Victorian Italianate mansion with period rooms.
  • Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum (San Jose): Explore ancient Egypt with fascinating artifacts.
  • San Benito County Historical & Recreational Park (Hollister): An open-air historical village with old buildings and farm vehicles.
  • San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (San Jose): Features contemporary art by Bay Area artists.
  • San Jose Museum of Art (San Jose): Focuses on artists from the West Coast and Pacific Rim.
  • San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles (San Jose): See quilts and textiles as an art form.
  • South Bay Historical Railroad Society Museum (Santa Clara): All about railroad history, located in the Santa Clara Depot.
  • Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum (Sunnyvale): Learn about the local history of Sunnyvale.
  • The Tech Museum of Innovation (San Jose): A science museum with lots of interactive exhibits about technology.
  • Thompson Gallery at San José State University (San Jose): An art gallery at San Jose State University.
  • Triton Museum of Art (Santa Clara): Features contemporary and historical art by Bay Area artists.
  • Viet Museum (San Jose): Part of History Park, it shares the experience of Vietnamese Americans.
  • Villa Mira Monte (Morgan Hill): An 1884 historic house and a museum with a rock and mineral collection.
  • Villa Montalvo (Saratoga): A historic mansion that houses the Montalvo Arts Center with a gallery and performing arts.
  • Wapple House Museum (Hollister): Learn about local history in Hollister.
  • Winchester Mystery House (San Jose): A famous 160-room Victorian mansion with many mysterious and unexplained features!
  • Wings of History Museum (San Martin): See antique aircraft and aircraft engines.
  • Works/San Jose (San Jose): An alternative community art and performance center.

Other San Francisco Bay Area Gems

Bay Area's Diverse Museums

  • Arts Benicia (Benicia): An art center with an exhibit gallery.
  • Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito): A children's museum with lots of fun and educational activities.
  • Bay Model Visitor Center (Sausalito): See a huge 3D model of the San Francisco Bay that simulates tides and currents!
  • Benicia Capitol State Historic Park (Benicia): Visit California's third capitol building, restored to look like it did in the 1850s.
  • Benicia Fire Museum (Benicia): See historic fire engines, trucks, and equipment.
  • Benicia Historical Museum (Benicia): Learn about the local history of Benicia.
  • Bolinas Museum (Bolinas): An art museum in Bolinas.
  • California Indian Museum and Cultural Center (Santa Rosa): Explore California Indian history and culture from an Indian perspective.
  • California Missions Museum (Sonoma): See models of the California missions.
  • Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center (Santa Rosa): Learn all about the life and art of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, creator of Peanuts!
  • Children's Museum of Sonoma County (Santa Rosa): A fun children's museum in Sonoma County.
  • China Camp State Park (San Rafael): Explore a former Chinese shrimp-fishing village with a house museum.
  • Cloverdale History Center and Museum (Cloverdale): Includes the late 19th-century Gould-Shaw House.
  • Depot Park Museum (Petaluma): Features railroad artifacts, a Victorian kitchen, and a historic schoolroom.
  • Dixie Schoolhouse (San Rafael): Visit a one-room schoolhouse from the past.
  • Dutra Museum of Dredging (Rio Vista): A private collection of dredging equipment and fossils.
  • Falkirk Cultural Center (San Rafael): An art center owned by the City of San Rafael.
  • Fort Ross State Historic Park (Fort Ross): Explore an early 19th-century Russian-American settlement.
  • Hamilton Field History Museum (Novato): Learn about the history of Hamilton Army Airfield.
  • Hand Fan Museum (Healdsburg): Discover the history and culture of fans.
  • Healdsburg Center for the Arts (Healdsburg): A community arts center.
  • Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society (Healdsburg): Learn about the local history of Healdsburg.
  • Jack London State Historic Park (Glen Ellen): Visit the home and ranch of famous writer Jack London.
  • Jack Mason Museum of West Marin History (Inverness): Learn about the history of West Marin.
  • Jesse Peter Museum (Santa Rosa): Features Native American art and ethnographic art from different parts of the world.
  • Luther Burbank Home and Gardens (Santa Rosa): Visit the historic home and gardens of famous botanist Luther Burbank.
  • Luther Burbank's Gold Ridge Experiment Farm (Sebastopol): Another historic home related to Luther Burbank.
  • Marin History Museum (San Rafael): Explore the history and culture of Marin County.
  • Marin Museum of Bicycling (Fairfax): See the largest public collection of bicycles on the West Coast, and visit the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame!
  • Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (Novato): Presents new art by emerging and established artists.
  • Marin Museum of the American Indian (Novato): Located on a former Miwok village site, it explores Native American history.
  • McCune Room at JFK Library (Vallejo): A collection of rare books, printing equipment, and binding tools.
  • Military Antiques & Museum (Petaluma): See military antiques.
  • Mission San Francisco de Solano (Sonoma): One of the historic sites of Sonoma State Historic Park, an old Spanish mission.
  • Mission San Rafael Arcángel (San Rafael): An early 19th-century Spanish mission.
  • Mount Tamalpais State Park (Mill Valley): The East Peak Visitor Center has a museum about the park's history and nature.
  • Museum of International Propaganda (San Rafael): Features a collection of propaganda posters, paintings, and artifacts from many countries.
  • Napa Valley Museum (Yountville): Explores the art and natural history of Napa Valley, including Native American and wine-making history.
  • Nike Missile Site SF-88 (Golden Gate National Recreation Area): Learn about the history of defensive missiles that protected San Francisco.
  • Novato History Museum (Novato): Learn about the local history of Novato.
  • Pacific Coast Air Museum (Santa Rosa): See restored American military aircraft.
  • Pena Adobe (Vacaville): A historic house, with the Mowers-Goheen Museum nearby.
  • Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park (Petaluma): A historic ranch and adobe house.
  • Petaluma Historical Library and Museum (Petaluma): Housed in a Carnegie library, with exhibits on local history and Miwok Indian history.
  • Petaluma Wildlife & Natural Science Museum (Petaluma): See live and taxidermied animals and learn about natural history.
  • Point Reyes National Seashore: This park has several visitor centers, including Kule Loklo (a recreated Coast Miwok village) and the Lighthouse Visitor Center.
  • Rancho Obi-Wan (Petaluma): Take a private tour of an amazing collection of Star Wars props, toys, and memorabilia!
  • Rio Vista Museum (Rio Vista): Learn about the local history of Rio Vista.
  • San Anselmo Historical Museum (San Anselmo): Discover the local history of San Anselmo.
  • Robert F. Agrella Art Gallery (Santa Rosa): An art gallery at Santa Rosa Junior College.
  • Sebastopol Center for the Arts (Sebastopol): A community art center.
  • Sonoma County Museum (Santa Rosa): Explores the history, art, and culture of the region.
  • Sonoma State Historic Park (Sonoma): Six historic sites, including Mission San Francisco de Solano and the Presidio of Sonoma.
  • Sonoma State University Art Gallery (Rohnert Park): Exhibits modern and contemporary art.
  • Sonoma Valley Museum of Art (Sonoma): Features works by regional, national, and international artists.
  • The Space Station Museum (Novato): Learn about the history of space exploration with U.S. and Russian artifacts.
  • Spaulding Wooden Boat Center (Sausalito): Restores and preserves historic wooden sailing vessels.
  • Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum (Tiburon): Learn about railroad and ferry history.
  • Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center (Fairfield): Features over 35 outdoor aircraft.
  • United States Immigration Station (Angel Island): Learn about the history of immigration at this historic site.
  • Vacaville Museum (Vacaville): Learn about the local history of Vacaville.
  • Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum (Vallejo): Explores local history and the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
  • West County Museum (Sebastopol): Learn about the history of Western Sonoma County.
  • Western Railway Museum (Suisun): See historic streetcars and electric trains from California and other western states.
  • Windsor Museum (Windsor): Learn about the local history of Windsor.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Sometimes museums close, but their history lives on! Here are a few museums that used to be in the Bay Area:

  • Bailey Art Museum (Crockett): This museum used to show ceramic and metal sculptures.
  • Diablo Valley College Museum (Pleasant Hill)
  • Hall of Health (Berkeley): This museum, sponsored by Children's Hospital, closed in 2009.
  • Madame Tussauds San Francisco (San Francisco): This famous wax museum at Fisherman's Wharf closed in 2024. It had wax models of celebrities and leaders.
  • Museum of Conceptual Art (San Francisco): This arts museum closed in 1984.
  • Museum of Modern Mythology (San Francisco): This museum closed in 1989 after the Loma Prieta earthquake.
  • Natural World Museum (San Francisco): A mobile museum focused on environmental concerns, which closed in 2009.
  • New Langton Arts (San Francisco): This arts center closed in 2009.
  • Playland-Not-At-The-Beach (El Cerrito): This fun place had amusement park games, pinball machines, magic shows, and miniature circuses.
  • Treasure Island Museum (San Francisco): This museum closed in 1997, but there are plans for a new one.
  • San Francisco Museum at the Mint (San Francisco): This was a planned museum in the Old Mint building.
  • Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf (San Francisco): This wax museum closed in 2013.
  • World of the Unexplained museum (San Francisco): This museum closed in 1985.

See also

  • List of attractions in Silicon Valley
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List of museums in the San Francisco Bay Area Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.