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10 History Museums in California That You Shouldn't Miss
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1. The Kern Valley Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 72 reviews
Revisit the Old West: Native American art, local brands, movies filmed in the Valley, art gallery, pioneer photos, mining equipment, mountain cabin, Graham Truck, stagecoach and lots more. Friendly docents will give you a guided tour and it's all free!
2. Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 917 reviews
With a visit to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, guests can tour the most modern presidential museum in the country to learn about Richard Nixon the man, his life, and his presidency. The twenty-eight-year-old presidential museum went through a complete renovation less than two years ago. The all-new museum features nearly 70 new major exhibits, 30 unique multi-media experiences, 11 original films, 12 custom digital interactives, 10 curated archival film sequences, more than 600 photographs, 8,000 square feet of wall murals and more than 300 artifacts. There is so much history in itself at the Nixon Library. Enjoy tours of Richard Nixon's original birthplace and boyhood home, walk through the presidential helicopter that flew four Presidents, take in the splendor of the White House East Room and pay respects at the final resting places of President and Mrs. Nixon.
Reviewed By Nostalgiyeah - Bellevue, United States
Turned out to be a memorable and informative visit for me. The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum not only holds the displays and artifacts during the time related to the time in office of President Nixon, but also includes his childhood home (which has been restored) and also the Army One helicopter used by four presidents, including Richard Nixon. The emphasis of the museum is, as expected, surrounding the life and circumstances of Richard Nixon when he was in office. There are exhibits about his childhood years, time in the military and his terms as a Senator and as the Vice President under President Eisenhower as well. The exhibits in the museum are divided into sections and are quite lucid and detailed. At the beginning, there is an exhibit about Vietnam war and how Nixon won the 1968 Presidential election promising to reduce the number of American troops in Vietnam and how he went about achieving that. Substantial emphasis is given to foreign policy under Nixon and probably one of the most important exhibits is the famous China trip of President Nixon. The exhibit details the back channel negotiations prior to the trip, the flight to China, the days of the visit and its impact on Sino-American relations. His visit to Moscow and impact on the Soviet-US relations are also documented as well. There are also exhibits dedicated to domestic affairs during the Nixon administration like establishment of the EPA, ending of military draft and lowering of voting age to 18. He was the President during a significant portion of NASA's Apollo space program (including moon landings). Other exhibits included the Middle East, Nixon Presidential campaigns and his vice presidency. But arguably one of the largest exhibit, is the coverage of Watergate scandal and how that consumed his presidency. Another thing I found insightful is the coverage of First Lady Pat Nixon, which did justice to her role in the Nixon presidency. There is a replica of the Oval Office in the White House inside the museum. This museum is also the final resting place of Richard Nixon and Pat Nixon, in the midst of a beautiful and picturesque rose garden.
3. National Steinbeck Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 383 reviews
A celebration and exploration of the well-known author's work through multi-sensory exhibits, priceless artifacts and live theater performances.
Reviewed By 735leightong
Wonderful museum, simply blown away by it's presentation. Makes his literal works come to life. Went there to see the mural that was painted by my father in law some 20 years ago. Brought the original concept painting he used, had the opportunity to meet with some of the staff to share the original rendition of the mural. Very enjoyable visit, would recommend it to everyone. Want to take my grandchildren to the Children's corner.
4. Empire Mine State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 518 reviews
The remains of one of the West's most lucrative gold mines have been preserved as a historic park.
Reviewed By tomgray7243 - Redmond, United States
Our forefathers worked way harder then you can imagine. They came from everywhere dreaming of riches, or at least a job. This park displays much of the equipment needed for hard rock mining, as well as the opulence that owners lived in. The docent, Allen, was passionate about his presentation...thanks buddy! We are more familiar with placer mining as I have some personal experience with it. We enjoyed our visit.
5. Cabot's Pueblo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 361 reviews
The structure is hand-made, created from reclaimed and found objects. The Pueblo is four-stories, 5,000 square feet and includes 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors. Visitors will notice many unique features: including windows and doors collected and reassembled from abandoned homesteads, old telephone poles, buck board wagon parts and many other materials used creatively.On the guided tour, visitors journey through the life of Cabot Yerxa and his family including artifacts collected from their adventures dating back over 100 years. Hear his story from the Dakota Territory to Mexico, Cuba, Alaska, France, throughout California and the Southwest, including the founding of Desert Hot Springs, California.
Reviewed By lindal369
If you find yourself in the Desert Hot Springs area this gem is a must-see. Wonderful pueblo, great history of the area, entertaining guides (definitely take the guided tour). We thoroughly enjoyed our visit!
6. Casa del Herrero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Tours are by reservation only on Wednesdays and Saturdays for those 10 years & older. Admission for the 90-minute, Docent-led tours is $25 per person. All tours are booked online via our website: http://casadelherrero.com/events/. Designated in 2009 as Santa Barbara's 4th National Historic Landmark, Casa del Herrero, built in 1925, stands today as one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. The creative manifestation of St. Louis industrialist George Fox Steedman, Casa del Herrero (House of the Blacksmith) reflects the visionary passions of its 'dream team' of designers: reknowned architect, George Washington Smith, landscape architects Lockwood de Forest and Francis T. Underhill, and antiquarians Arthur Byne and Mildred Stapley, who also helped outfit the well-known Hearst Castle.
Reviewed By V4820YRnancya
Classic Spanish Revival House and Garden that were planned with each other in mind in 1925. The house has all of its original contents and the house and garden that have been cared for continually for 95 years. Wonderful docent gave us a fact filled tour full of anecdotes and personal tidbits. He and we were having such a good time we agreed to go over the regular hour and a half.
7. Mission Inn Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
Nonprofit Museum and Foundation which preserves, interprets, and promotes the history of the National Historic Landmark Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Independent organization offering free museum exhibits, guided interpretive tours, and public educational programming.
Reviewed By SeminarTrekker
The Mission Inn Museum if a foundation for the preservation and historical resource for the Mission Inn. They have interesting exhibits at the museum and the descents there are very helpful and informative about the history of the Mission Inn and the city of Riverside. You can sign up for descent led tours of the museum. They also sells books and souvenirs of the Mission Inn. I found less expensive postcards and magnets of the Mission Inn versus the Mission Inn gift shop. I recommend visiting this museum if your interested in the background and history of the Mission Inn
8. Coronado Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
The Coronado Visitor Center is located in the lobby of the Museum of History and Art. This should be your first stop when you get to this charming and historic beach town. Friendly volunteers provide complimentary maps, brochures, discount tickets and information about events and attractions in Coronado. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Visitor Center is currently closed.
Reviewed By HeidiHelbig - La Quinta, United States
You need to go there at least once. Step back in time, very special and very unique. the shops are fun and the restaurants were packed with people. The ambiance is wonderful. Go and see The Coronado Hotel, you will not be disappointed.
9. Palm Springs Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,004 reviews
Rated by CNN as one of the top 14 Air Museums in the World. This facility Gives visitors an up-close look at the legendary fighters and bombers of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
Reviewed By geoffreyh551 - Phoenix, United States
Everywhere we went in Palm Springs people told us to go here. You need to go here as soon as it opens ( open 7 days a week 10 Am until 5 PM). The Air Museum is very well set up . Airplanes are located in two hangars to the left as you enter and two hangars to the right. There are 9 people fully employed and 400 volunteers ( docents). All of the docents are veterans and have extensive information that they are ready to personally share with you. Plenty of on site parking. Admission is either $18 or $16 Senior/Military persons. You need to plan on spending many hours going from hangar to hanger-exhibitions of World War 2 and Vietnam. Many hands on exhibits that detail what specifics of the war was happening. Docents all over the area to assist and explain details as to what you are looking at. Don't forget to save time to go upstairs to the very extensive library. We looked up in the large collection of Life Magazines specific issues in our life time that were of interest to us. There is also a docent who will personally assist you on a Flight Simulator ' actually help you simulate a flight. Last visit an actual plane B-17 before you exit ( donation $5.00), but you can board it and walk through the entire plane. Highly recommend We spent 3 hours there .
10. Mariposa Museum and History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
Reviewed By kaymR8381UL - Austin, United States
My husband and I were so pleased we stopped here. He was doing research on the California Gold Rush and this little museum had a wealth of information. Staff was friendly and very helpful. I highly recommend a visit to this little gem.
