Top Things to do in California
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Top 10 Specialty Museums in California, United States
California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
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1. California State Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,760 reviews
Come along for the ride. Stand in the shadow of a 150-year-old, 40-ton monument to innovation, engineering and history. Take a ride along the rails that played a key role in the development of the Golden State. See the history of the California railways come to life in engaging exhibits. A visit to the California State Railroad Museum is a not-to-be-missed experience for persons of all ages.
Reviewed By KLE2013 - Centreville, United States
The Railroad Museum in Old Town Sacramento offers an outstanding experience with a film, guided tours and fascinating restored train cars and locomotive engines. There are docents in most of the exhibited cars that happily share the history of the car- the dining car and the mail car were particularly interesting. The history of the Transcontinental Railroad and its construction is vividly recalled in a series of displays. Exhibits provide information to engage both children and adults. We visited with friends and their children aged 5 and 12 and both children found areas of interest from the model trains to the hands on electronics experiments. Admission for adults is $12 and your ticket allows multiple reentry for that same day. The museum is open from 10-5 daily and you could easily spend several hours exploring the three story museum.
2. Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,067 reviews
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is a must-see Southern California tourist attraction. Walk onboard Air Force One, act in a movie with Ronald Reagan, touch a piece of the Berlin Wall, and so much more.
Reviewed By RKordziel - Rotterdam, United States
I have been visiting historical sites and Presidential libraries for 10 years now, and the Reagan library is probably my favorite one so far! The museum is extremely high-tech and features countless artifacts relating the the Reagans’ lives and presidency, everything in the museum was amazing; the Christmas exhibit mesmerized me with its fragrances that I actually contemplated asking if they sold air fresheners of the scent! The museum is laid out so well, and the video shown that featured President Reagan’s voice honestly made me emotional as I remembered his struggle with Alzheimer’s and recalled watching his funeral in 2004. The museum is definitely a day trip, with so much to see and do, including statues, a piece of the Berlin Wall, and the graves of Ronald and Nancy Reagan on the grounds. It is probably the best I have visited to-date. I urge anyone with an interest in history to make a pilgrimage to the Reagan library; it’s a day you’ll never forget!
3. The Getty Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14,503 reviews
Spectacular museum boasts a most impressive collection by such luminaries as Van Gogh, Monet and Cezanne, along with the architectural triumph of its six buildings and gardens.
Reviewed By msmyka - Boca Raton, United States
This is an excellent museum that is easily conquered you can see a great variety self touring in 2 hrs or spend the whole day if you like - great art, views, sculptures and Louis XIV collection you feel transported to Versailles! Must do!!!!!!
4. USS Midway Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24,873 reviews
Located in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway (Museum) was America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Today, the interactive museum is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family as guests walk in the footsteps of the 225,000 young men who served on Midway. Visitors explore a floating city at sea, the amazing flight deck and its 29 restored aircraft, flight simulators, and are inspired in the Battle of Midway Theater, included with admission. Admission also includes a self-guided audio tour narrated by Midway sailors in English, Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese, French and German. Visiting Midway is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in San Diego, known around the world as "Navy Town, USA."
Reviewed By NewfiePupLover - Des Moines, United States
We visited the USS Midway on our way to the airport when heading out of San Diego from our Spring Break trip, and I'm glad that we did. Our young kids (8, 8 & 6) enjoyed the airplanes on display and walking through the various decks of the ships, including the internal warfare room, map rooms, etc. The individual audio tour packs (like an iPod) were excellent and allowed each person to listen and learn about all aspects of the ship, the aircraft, personal stories from soldiers who worked on the ship, war stories, etc. There is a great gift shop on the ship, and there is also food available as well as water & soda machines placed throughout the ship. I would highly recommend this site for anyone interested in history, but really for just about anyone of any age. It was a great experience. We were on the ship for about 2 hours, although if you had the time you could spend an entire day looking around and interacting with all of the staff/volunteers and exhibits.
5. The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 197 reviews
The museum features wood and metalworking craftsmanship at the small end of the size scale. Exhibits include running internal and external combustion engines, model ships, aircraft and autos, tools, clocks, jewelry, guns and dollhouses. Small Engines are run in our working machine shop each day at 10, 12 and 2 PM. Admission is free, and regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday 9 to 4. The museum is sponsored by the non-profit Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship and partially funded by Sherline Products Miniature Machine Tools.
Reviewed By sylvial940 - San Diego, United States
This is a hidden gem located in an industrial park in Carlsbad. What you will see in miniature is truly a labor of love from craftsmen who are masters in their art. The works displayed here are just awesome and a definite "must see" .Entrance is free.
6. The Wende Museum of the Cold War
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 170 reviews
The Wende Museum holds an unparalleled collection of art and artifacts from Cold War-era Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union and offers innovative exhibitions and events to illuminate the connections between art and history, past and present.
Reviewed By TheEcoMom - Culver City, United States
The most unique and surprising museum in Culver City. The exhibits portray themes related to topics that you'd not see elsewhere. The Cold War display is interesting as are the posters. The changing exhibits are topical and best understood with a docent. Great and easy parking. Lots of information online.
7. 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.
8. Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By 731lynp
My husband and I were in Pomona for the swap meet and had some extra time so we decided to visit the museum. Now I am not a fan of the sport but I must say it was quite interesting. There are a lot of cars and memorabilia that is well worth the visit. And it is quite inexpensive. Took us about an hour.
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. Mission San Luis Rey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 617 reviews
Founded in 1798, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, known as the "King of the Missions," is a National Historic Landmark. The largest of all the 21 California missions, it is home to a community of Franciscan Friars and is open daily to the public in the Franciscan tradition of heritage and hospitality. Facilities include a Retreat Center with day and overnight programs for spiritual renewal, multi-function meeting spaces, a Cemetery open to all people, Mission Gift Shop, Historic Church and interpretive Museum.
Reviewed By bk2508
Well worth a visit, very informative, amazing site and a wonderful little gift shop also. We did the walk through by ourselves but the guided tour would be incredible.
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