Museum sights in California
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Gatekeeper's Cabin Museum
In a reconstructed log cabin, the Gatekeeper's Cabin Museum has a great collection of Tahoe memorabilia, and, in a new wing, an exquisite array of Native American baskets.
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Reuben H Fleet Science Center
Family-oriented hands-on museum-cum-Imax theater in Plaza de Balboa.
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Museum of Natural History
Fronted by a sculpture of a gray whale, the Museum of Natural History has some old-fashioned exhibits about Big Sur, sea otters and the omnipresent monarch butterflies.
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Placerville Historical Museum
Placerville Historical Museum, housed in the Fountain & Tallman Soda Works Building, has a small collection of soda factory relics and old Placerville photographs.
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Old County Courthouse
In Lakeport, the 1871 Old County Courthouse is a state historic landmark. Inside, so-so Lake County Museum has Pomo Native American artifacts and historical exhibits.
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Timken Museum of Art
Small but exquisite, the museum showcases European and American heavyweights, from Rembrandt to Cézanne and John Singleton Copley.
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Fresno Art Museum
The Fresno Art Museum, in Radio Park, has rotating exhibits of contemporary art - including work by local artists - that are among the most intriguing in the valley.
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HSU Natural History Museum
The HSU Natural History Museum has kid-friendly interactive exhibits of fossils, live animals, a beehive, tidepool tank, and cool tsunami and seismic displays.
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Tulare County Museum
South of downtown on Hwy 63 (Mooney Blvd), shaded Mooney Grove Park is home to the Tulare County Museum, which has pioneer and Native American memorabilia.
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Maritime Museum
The 1863 Star of India is one of seven historic sailing vessels open to the public at the Maritime Museum. Don't miss the B-39 Soviet attack submarine. Metered parking and $10 day lots are nearby.
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Korean American Museum
To connect with local Korean culture, pop into the free Korean American Museum which has changing art exhibits and cultural events.
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Orange County Museum of Art
Near Fashion Island, the Orange County Museum of Art provides a survey of California art as well as remarkably cutting-edge contemporary exhibits.
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Catalina Island Museum
The Catalina Island Museum has modest exhibits about milestones in the island's history, including its role during WWII and the Chicago Cubs era.
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California State Indian Museum
Adjacent to the Sutter's Fort is the well-done California State Indian Museum is tiny but informative and has Ishi artifacts.
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Museum of Craft & Folk Arts
Duck into Yerba Buena Lane to celebrate creative breakthroughs in skilled hands at the Museum of Craft & Folk Arts.
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Hollywood Bowl Museum
The Hollywood Bowl Museum relives such classic bowl moments as concerts by the Beatles, the Stones and Jimi Hendrix.
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First McDonald's Museum
Follow Cajon Blvd south into San Bernardino, where you can drive by the First McDonald's Museum, which has historic Route 66 exhibits.
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Museum of Contemporary Art
Emphasizes minimalist and pop art, as well as conceptual works and cross-border art. The 1100 Kettner Bldg is at the historic Santa Fe Depot. Another branch is in La Jolla; one ticket admits you to all venues.
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Lower Lake Historical Schoolhouse Museum
The Lower Lake Historical Schoolhouse Museum is infested with bats, but the restored 19th-century classroom is worth checking out.
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San Diego Model Railroad Museum
One of the largest of its kind, with brilliantly 'landscaped' train sets.
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Asian Art Museum
Imaginations race from ancient Persian miniatures to cutting-edge Japanese fashion through three floors spanning 6000 years of Asian arts. Besides the largest collection outside Asia – 17,000 works – the Asian offers excellent programs for all ages, from shadow-puppet shows and yoga for kids to monthly over-21 Matcha mixers with cross-cultural cocktails and DJ mashups.
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Borax Museum
At Furnace Creek Ranch, the Borax Museum has a sizeable collection of old coaches and wagons out the back.
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Chinese American Museum
This small but smart museum is on the site of an early Chinese apothecary and general store, and exhibits probe questions of identity. LA's original Chinatown was here (moved north to make way for Union Station). 'New' Chinatown is about a half-mile north along Broadway and Hill St, crammed with dim sum parlors, herbal apothecaries, curio shops and edgy art galleries on Chung King Rd.
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Watson Cabin Museum
The 1908 Watson Cabin Museum, one of the town's oldest buildings, exemplifies local lifestyles in the early 20th century.
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Gold Country Museum
Those who really want to delve into local lore can head to the Gold Country Museum, toward the back of the fairgrounds.
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