California is full of surprises—you can surf in the morning, hike a mountain by noon, and in the same day, step inside some of the most fascinating museums in the country. From world-class art collections to cutting-edge science exhibits, California’s museums are destinations in their own right. Whether you’re a family traveler, a student, or just curious about the world, here are the 20 best museums to visit in California in 2025.
1. California Science Center – Los Angeles
Located in Exposition Park, the California Science Center is one of the most visited science museums in the U.S.—and for good reason. Its biggest attraction is the Space Shuttle Endeavour, displayed in all its glory.
But that’s not all. The Ecosystems exhibit takes you on a journey from deserts to kelp forests, with real plants and live animals. Kids will love the hands-on science experiments, while adults will appreciate the high-tech displays that make science come alive.
- Tip: Admission is free for general exhibits, but tickets for the IMAX Theater and special exhibitions are sold separately.
Highlights: Space Shuttle Endeavour, Ecosystems Hall, IMAX Dome Theater.
Perfect for: Families, school groups, science enthusiasts.
Website: California Science Center
2. The Getty Center – Los Angeles
If you’re looking for art and architecture in one place, the Getty Center is a true gem. Its collection includes masterpieces from Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, and more. The museum itself is perched on a hilltop, offering sweeping views of Los Angeles.
The Central Garden, designed by artist Robert Irwin, is worth a stroll, with seasonal flowers and unique landscaping. Even if you’re not an art buff, the modern architecture and tranquil setting make the Getty one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in LA.
- Tip: Admission is free, but parking requires a fee, so plan accordingly.
Highlights: European art collections, Central Garden, modern architecture.
Perfect for: Art lovers, history fans, couples looking for a scenic date spot.
- Website: The Getty Center
3. The Tech Interactive – San Jose
In the heart of Silicon Valley, The Tech Interactive celebrates innovation, robotics, and everything STEM-related. This isn’t your typical museum—it’s more like a hands-on playground for the curious.
From biotech labs where you can extract DNA to AI-powered experiences and VR simulations, every exhibit is designed to inspire creativity. Many schools bring students here, but adults find it just as exciting.
- Tip: Try the “Solve for Earth” exhibit, which focuses on sustainability and future technology.
Highlights: Robotics, VR experiences, hands-on labs.
Perfect for: Families, students, tech enthusiasts.
Website: The Tech Interactive
4. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
One of the largest natural history museums in the U.S., this LA institution is especially famous for its Dinosaur Hall—a jaw-dropping display with real fossils and life-size reconstructions.
The museum also has exhibits on gems and minerals, animal dioramas, and even a Butterfly Pavilion in spring. It’s a mix of science and wonder that keeps kids and adults engaged for hours.
Tip: Don’t miss the “Becoming Los Angeles” exhibit, which explores how LA transformed from a small pueblo into the city it is today.
Highlights: Dinosaur Hall, Gem & Mineral Hall, Butterfly Pavilion.
Perfect for: Families with kids, history buffs, nature lovers.
5. San Diego Air & Space Museum – San Diego
Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Air & Space Museum is a paradise for aviation and space enthusiasts. From Wright Brothers replicas to Apollo mission artifacts, it covers the entire history of flight.
The museum is also Smithsonian-affiliated, meaning its collections meet world-class standards. Aviation fans will love standing next to iconic aircraft and learning how space exploration has evolved.
- Tip: If you’re visiting with kids, try the Flight Simulator rides—they’re a hit!
Highlights: Wright Brothers Gallery, Apollo 9 command module, flight simulators.
Perfect for: Aviation lovers, families, history enthusiasts.
Website: San Diego Air & Space Museum
6. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) – San Francisco
As one of the largest modern art museums in the U.S., SFMOMA is a must-visit for art lovers. Its massive collection spans painting, sculpture, photography, and digital art from some of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The building itself is an architectural landmark, and its rooftop terrace offers unique city views along with outdoor installations.
- Tip: Don’t miss the photography exhibits—SFMOMA is home to one of the largest photography collections in the world.
Highlights: Works by Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Rothko; rooftop sculpture garden.
Perfect for: Art enthusiasts, photographers, design lovers.
Website: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
7. Exploratorium – San Francisco
Located on the waterfront at Pier 15, the Exploratorium is one of the most interactive science museums in the world. It’s famous for its hands-on exhibits that encourage visitors to play, experiment, and learn.
Everything from light and sound to biology and physics is explored through engaging displays. Families often spend an entire day here because there’s so much to do.
Tip: Visit during the evening for “After Dark Thursdays” (adults only, with cocktails and live music).
Highlights: 600+ interactive exhibits, Tactile Dome, outdoor waterfront displays.
Perfect for: Families with kids, science lovers, date nights.
Website: Exploratorium
8. Legion of Honor – San Francisco
The Legion of Honor is San Francisco’s most beautiful museum, housed in a neoclassical building overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Inside, you’ll find an incredible collection of European paintings, sculptures, and ancient artifacts.
One of its highlights is Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker,” displayed prominently in the courtyard.
- Tip: Your ticket also gives you access to the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park on the same day.
Highlights: Rodin’s The Thinker, European art, ancient Egyptian collections.
Perfect for: Art lovers, history fans, romantic day trips.
Website: Legion of Honor
9. Petersen Automotive Museum – Los Angeles
Car lovers, this one’s for you. The Petersen Automotive Museum showcases over 300 rare and classic cars, from Hollywood movie vehicles to futuristic concept designs.
The museum’s sleek, red-and-steel exterior is an attraction in itself, but the inside is even better, with exhibits tracing the history of cars and their cultural impact.
- Tip: Book a guided tour of “The Vault,” where you’ll see some of the rarest cars in the world.
Highlights: Hollywood cars (like Batmobiles), classic Ferraris, futuristic prototypes.
Perfect for: Car enthusiasts, families, design lovers.
Website: Petersen Automotive Museum
10. de Young Museum – San Francisco
Located in Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum blends art with architecture. Its copper-clad building and observation tower are as impressive as the exhibits inside.
The collection covers American art from the 17th through 21st centuries, textiles, African art, and Oceanic art. Its rotating exhibitions often feature some of the world’s most renowned artists.
- Tip: Take the elevator to the 9th-floor observation tower—it’s free and offers one of the best views of San Francisco.
Highlights: American art, textiles, rotating world-class exhibitions.
Perfect for: Art enthusiasts, culture seekers, architecture lovers.
Website: de Young Museum
11. Museum of Tolerance – Los Angeles
A powerful museum dedicated to human rights and social justice, the Museum of Tolerance focuses on the Holocaust, racism, and contemporary issues. Its immersive exhibits, films, and survivor testimonies make it both educational and moving.
- Tip: Allocate at least 2–3 hours to explore—it’s emotionally impactful but deeply important.
Highlights: Holocaust exhibit, social justice galleries, interactive learning.
Perfect for: History students, educators, socially conscious travelers.
Website: Museum of Tolerance
12. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures – Los Angeles
For film buffs, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a dream come true. Opened recently, it celebrates the art, history, and science of cinema with iconic props, costumes, and behind-the-scenes exhibits from Hollywood’s biggest movies.
- Tip: Don’t miss the Oscar Experience, where you can step on stage and feel what it’s like to win an Academy Award.
Highlights: Movie props, Oscars history, immersive film experiences.
Perfect for: Movie lovers, Hollywood fans, families.
Website: Academy Museum
13. La Brea Tar Pits & Museum – Los Angeles
Step back into the Ice Age at the La Brea Tar Pits, where scientists still excavate fossils today. Inside the museum, you’ll see saber-toothed cats, mammoths, and giant sloths that once roamed LA thousands of years ago.
- Tip: Watch paleontologists at work in the Fossil Lab—it’s a rare chance to see science in action.
Highlights: Ice Age fossils, tar pits, live excavations.
Perfect for: Families, science lovers, curious kids.
Website: La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
14. Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles
While technically more of an observatory than a traditional museum, the Griffith Observatory is one of California’s most iconic science attractions. It features space exhibits, a planetarium, and telescopes for public use—all with panoramic views of Los Angeles.
- Tip: Visit at sunset for unbeatable city views, including the Hollywood Sign.
Highlights: Planetarium shows, Zeiss telescope, city views.
Perfect for: Stargazers, families, couples.
Website: Griffith Observatory
15. USS Midway Museum – San Diego
A floating museum on a historic aircraft carrier, the USS Midway Museum lets visitors explore more than 60 exhibits and restored aircraft. Walking through the flight deck, engine rooms, and crew quarters gives you a real sense of Navy life.
- Tip: Don’t miss the flight simulators—they’re thrilling for kids and adults alike.
Highlights: Historic aircraft, carrier tours, flight simulators.
Perfect for: Military history buffs, families, adventure seekers.
Website: USS Midway Museum
16. Asian Art Museum – San Francisco
Home to one of the most comprehensive collections of Asian art in the world, the Asian Art Museum houses over 18,000 pieces spanning 6,000 years of history. From ancient Chinese bronzes to Japanese samurai armor, it’s a cultural treasure.
- Tip: Visit during special exhibitions for rare, traveling collections from across Asia.
Highlights: Ancient artifacts, rotating exhibitions, Japanese tea house.
Perfect for: Culture seekers, history buffs, art lovers.
Website: Asian Art Museum
17. Autry Museum of the American West – Los Angeles
Located in Griffith Park, the Autry Museum explores the history, art, and stories of the American West. It’s a mix of cowboy culture, Native American history, and Hollywood’s Wild West legacy.
- Tip: The outdoor garden is inspired by Native Californian landscapes—perfect for a quiet stroll.
Highlights: Western art, Native American exhibits, film memorabilia.
Perfect for: History lovers, families, travelers interested in the Old West.
Website: Autry Museum
18. Santa Barbara Museum of Art – Santa Barbara
Though smaller than LA or SF’s institutions, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art punches above its weight with an impressive collection of Asian, European, and American art. It’s known for its intimate setting and beautifully curated galleries.
- Tip: This museum often hosts special community events and lectures—check the calendar before visiting.
Highlights: Asian art, European masterpieces, local California artists.
Perfect for: Art lovers, couples, weekend travelers.
Website: Santa Barbara Museum of Art
19. Walt Disney Family Museum – San Francisco (Presidio)
Created by Walt Disney’s daughter, this museum takes you behind the scenes of Disney’s life, creativity, and legacy. From early sketches to the creation of Disneyland, it’s an inspiring stop for fans of animation and storytelling.
- Tip: The museum offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge from its Presidio location—bring your camera!
Highlights: Disney archives, original animation sketches, early Disneyland models.
Perfect for: Disney fans, families, creative minds.
Website: Walt Disney Family Museum
20. Huntington Library, Art Museum & Botanical Gardens – San Marino (near Pasadena)
More than just a museum, the Huntington combines rare manuscripts, fine art, and stunning botanical gardens. Its library houses treasures like a Gutenberg Bible and early Shakespeare editions, while its gardens feature Japanese, Chinese, and desert landscapes.
- Tip: Plan to spend a full day here—half the time indoors with the art and library, half exploring the gardens.
Highlights: European and American art, rare books, botanical gardens.
Perfect for: Book lovers, art enthusiasts, garden explorers.
Final Words
With 20 incredible museums across California, your 2025 trip can be as much about history, culture, and science as it is about beaches and road trips. From Hollywood’s glitz at the Academy Museum to the timeless beauty of the Huntington Gardens, these destinations prove that California truly has it all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the most visited museum in California?
The Getty Center in Los Angeles is among the most visited, attracting millions yearly with its art, gardens, and views.
2. Which museum in California is best for kids?
The California Science Center (Los Angeles) and the Exploratorium (San Francisco) are top choices for families with children.
3. What is the best free museum in California?
The Getty Center and Getty Villa both offer free admission (parking fees apply).
4. Which museum in California has dinosaurs?
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has one of the best dinosaur fossil collections in the U.S.
5. What is the best museum for aviation lovers?
The San Diego Air & Space Museum and the USS Midway Museum are must-visits for aircraft and naval history enthusiasts.
6. Can I visit multiple museums in one day in California?
Yes—cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have several major museums close together, making it easy to explore more than one in a day.
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I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
