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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TAL-lead-the-broad-CAMUSEUMS1225-06ca7558693349a5be3d37fe4309bd53.jpg?ssl=1 "The 9 Best Museums in California")
The 9 Best Museums in California
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From state-of-the-art science museums to colorful art and history hotspots, California’s best museums cover just about every subject you could imagine. Visiting a museum in the Golden State gives visitors a thoughtful opportunity to not only learn more about California, but also its place within the country’s broader fabric.
“California’s leading museums illustrate how the spirit of innovation has always thrived here,” Caroline Beteta, president of Visit California, tells Travel + Leisure. “The Golden State is the birthplace of the film industry and the modern tech industry, as well as a leader in aerospace, agriculture, renewable energy, and global art and fashion trends. It’s no surprise that California boasts world-class institutions, from our gateway cities to communities across the state.”
These are the 9 best museums in California.
The Getty Center: Los Angeles
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The Getty Center isn’t just one of the best museums in California—it’s one of the most preeminent art institutions in the U.S. Perched on a 110-acre spread above the hills that surround Los Angeles, the views alone make it worth a visit. But don’t get too carried away—you’ll want to make time for all the exhibits inside, too. The Getty Center has a stunning collection of pre-20th-century European art, including works by the Masters, Impressionists, and pieces from the Dutch Golden Age. Some notable artworks include Van Gogh’s “Irises” and Joseph Ducreux’s “Self Portrait, Yawning.” Best of all, entry is free (though you will need to book and pay for a parking spot in advance) and also gets you admission to the Getty Villa, another one of the most stunning art spots in the city.
California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco
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Situated in Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences covers just about every aspect of scientific education you can imagine. Visitors can make their way between a dazzling planetarium, an aquarium with live coral reefs, a natural history museum, and even an indoor rainforest dome populated by hundreds of tropical birds and butterflies. A “living roof” that grows native Californian plants shelters it all. On sunny days, head on up to the observation deck to take in views of Golden Gate Park and the rest of San Francisco in the distance.
The Broad: Los Angeles
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When it comes to contemporary art, few places do it better (or cooler) than The Broad, located in downtown Los Angeles. Opened in 2015, this 120,000-square-foot space houses rotating exhibits of art from the likes of artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Cindy Sherman. The collection spans a huge variety of iconic contemporary media, including Jeff Koons’ “Balloon Dog (Blue)” and an “Infinity Mirrored Room” by Yayoi Kusama. The Broad is free to enter, though you will need to make a timed reservation for the “Infinity Mirrored Room.”
Balboa Park: San Diego
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For anyone who’s not exactly sure what kind of museum they want to visit, Balboa Park is an ideal choice. “Balboa Park boasts a whopping 18 museums in one urban park,” says Beteta. Those museums include the San Diego Museum of Art, the Fleet Science Center, and the San Diego History Center, plus outdoor spaces like the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum. You can access all 18 with one ticket, so plan to spend at least one day hopping between the different museums and snacking at cafes like Daniel’s Coffee.
Petersen Automotive Museum: Los Angeles
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If you’re noticing a lot of Los Angeles museums on this list, there’s a good reason. The City of Angels has more museums per capita in the U.S. than any other—yes, that does mean it has more than New York City. And since it is one of the country’s most famously car-centric cities, you’ll find a standout auto museum here. The Petersen Automotive Museum is a celebration of all things to do with automobiles and their long, colorful history. You’ll find vintage motorcycles, collectible vehicles, and plenty of memorabilia. There’s also an entire exhibit dedicated to cars from movies and TV—visitors can take a peek behind the wheel of the 1985 Modena Spyder featured in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” or the sleek Batmobile from Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman.”
U.S.S. Midway Museum: San Diego
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The U.S.S. Midway was once the longest-operating naval carrier in U.S. military history. Now, it’s housed in downtown San Diego at the Embarcadero, where visitors can walk back in time through naval history and learn more about the Midway’s vital role in conflicts like the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Try your hand at a flight simulator, explore the ship’s multiple decks to catch a glimpse of how the Midway’s staff once lived, and take a look at the 30 vintage aircraft stored on board, including a Douglas SBD Dauntless from World War II.
Legion of Honor: San Francisco
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Opened more than a century ago in 1924, the Legion of Honor is housed in a stunning Beaux Arts building in Lincoln Park, while its sister museum, the de Young, is minutes away in Golden Gate Park. The Legion of Honor’s collections cover more than 5,000 years, including a rendition of world-famous works like Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker,” which greets visitors in the entry courtyard, and Claude Monet’s masterpiece “Water Lilies.” The museum also hosts annual events like the community-driven Wayne Thiebaud Cake Picnic and collaborations with San Francisco Ballet.
California State Railroad Museum: Sacramento
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Railroad construction during the 19th and 20th centuries utterly transformed the Golden State—and the U.S. as a whole—so it’s only fitting to learn a little more about locomotives when visiting California. This museum is located on the waterfront in the state’s capital and has a variety of exhibits dedicated to train travel, as well as the lives of the workers and railroad barons who opened the gates to the West. Among the 19 steam locomotives on display, the California State Railroad Museum is home to the famed Governor Stanford engine, first launched in 1863 as the Central Pacific Railroad’s flagship steam locomotive.
Palm Springs Air Museum: Palm Springs
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Sited in the heart of the Coachella Valley desert, the Palm Springs Air Museum is located next to the Palm Springs International Airport and showcases more than 75 vintage aircraft restored to their former glory. It’s a great place to learn more about aviation history and how air travel has powered the modern world at large. Guests can become pilots for a day with flight simulators, read up on the evolution of aviation technology, and wander through indoor and outdoor displays on some of the most famous planes in history. If you want to watch the exhibits take to the skies, reserve a ride aboard one of the museum’s warbirds, like the North American P-51 Mustang or the Douglas C-47 Skytrain.
