A Guide to the Best Museums in California
Thanks to its rich heritage of pioneers, dreamers, and artists, California enjoys a museum culture like no other. Whether you prefer to be moved by an ancient masterpiece, hear the echoes of sailors’ voices aboard a floating museum, or marvel at the technological wonders that have transformed our society, California offers an immersive experience for curious minds of every kind. To help you navigate it all, we’ve compiled a guide to some of the very best museums across the Golden State.
San Diego Museum of Art, Museum of Us, and More in Balboa Park
Step into Balboa Park’s Spanish Colonial wonderland, where ornate buildings house some of California’s most impressive collections. Art enthusiasts can lose themselves in the San Diego Museum of Art’s European masterpieces, while photography lovers will appreciate the Museum of Photographic Arts’ exceptional exhibitions. Science-minded travelers can explore the Fleet Science Center’s interactive displays, and anthropology buffs can discover global cultures at the Museum of Us. Pop culture aficionados shouldn’t miss the Comic-Con Museum, which just opened its highly anticipated “Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder” exhibit in March. As night falls, the park’s buildings glow with dramatic colored lights, creating a magical atmosphere perfect for evening strolls between the fountain and gardens.
Where to stay
Hillcrest House Bed & Breakfast Inn is a handsome Craftsman bungalow in the vibrant Hillcrest neighborhood. It’s located just half a block off Hillcrest’s main drag and within walking distance of Balboa Park’s northwest corner.
USS Midway Museum and Maritime Museum of San Diego
San Diego’s maritime heritage comes alive aboard the USS Midway, where you can explore the massive aircraft carrier’s 60+ exhibits and walk among 29 restored aircraft. The volunteer docents—many former sailors who served aboard similar carriers—share riveting firsthand accounts of naval life. A short stroll along the Embarcadero brings you to the Maritime Museum of San Diego, where you can board the Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing ship, alongside submarines, steam ferries, and tall ships. Together, these museums offer a compelling journey through maritime history, naval aviation, and San Diego’s deep connections to the sea.
Where to stay
1906 Lodge is tucked into a quiet neighborhood just a block from Coronado’s shops and cafes, exuding tranquility with understated elegance and an upscale coastal vibe. Hotel Marisol Coronado blends the feel of a small European hotel with California beach vibes just a block from the beach. Coronado Island offers convenient ferry access to the museums along the Embarcadero.
The Getty Center
Perched dramatically atop a hillside in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Getty Center combines Richard Meier’s stunning architecture with one of the world’s finest art collections to create an experience that appeals to all senses. As you arrive via the automated tram, the gleaming travertine structures emerge against the sky, setting the stage for artistic discovery. Inside, you’ll find European paintings from the Middle Ages through the Impressionist period, exquisite decorative arts, and an extensive photography collection. The meticulously maintained gardens—especially Robert Irwin’s Central Garden with its maze of flowering plants—offer contemplative spaces between gallery visits, while panoramic views across Los Angeles create a breathtaking backdrop for this cultural escape.
Where to stay
Palihotel Westwood Village embodies a mix of mid-century modern with Parisian eclecticism in a historic building within walking distance of UCLA as well as the acclaimed Hammer Museum. Just up the 405 in Sherman Oaks, The Sojourn is a retro-inspired hotel offering a convenient base for exploring the Getty Center and other L.A. landmarks.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art and More Along Museum Row
Museum Row packs extraordinary cultural diversity into just a few blocks along Wilshire Boulevard. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) impresses with its encyclopedic collection spanning ancient times to contemporary works, while the Petersen Automotive Museum delights car enthusiasts with its spectacular collection housed in a building as innovative as the vehicles inside. Film aficionados shouldn’t miss the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which celebrates moviemaking with interactive exhibits and iconic memorabilia. The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum offers a fascinating window into prehistoric Los Angeles, while Craft Contemporary showcases innovative handmade objects. Don’t miss Urban Light, LACMA’s iconic installation of restored street lamps that has become one of the city’s most photographed landmarks.
Where to stay
Short Stories Hotel combines sophisticated tastes with a bright, airy design, creating a tranquil retreat directly across from The Grove and within strolling distance of Museum Row. Palihouse West Hollywood sits on the famed W 3rd Street with guest rooms that blend California sensibility and European grandeur.
The Broad, Grammy Museum, and More in Downtown L.A.
Downtown Los Angeles has transformed into a sophisticated cultural hub anchored by institutions like The Broad, featuring one of the world’s most impressive collections of contemporary art. The striking honeycomb-like building houses works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Yayoi Kusama (whose Infinity Mirror Rooms create immersive, Instagram-worthy experiences). The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) complements this with cutting-edge exhibitions across its multiple downtown locations. Music lovers should visit the Grammy Museum’s interactive exhibits exploring musical heritage through instruments, recordings, and personal artifacts from legendary performers. Together, these institutions create a dynamic district where architecture and art combine to showcase LA’s position at the forefront of contemporary culture.
Where to stay
Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel occupies a 1926 California Renaissance Revival landmark reimagined by Kelly Wearstler, blending period elements with Mexican modernism. The stunning Los Angeles Athletic Club Hotel gives guests access to 88,000 square feet of exceptional athletic facilities within a historic landmark private club building dating to the 1880s.
California Academy of Sciences and de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park
San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park provides a verdant backdrop for two exceptional cultural institutions. The California Academy of Sciences stands as a marvel of sustainable architecture housing an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, and four-story rainforest under one living roof. Nature enthusiasts can explore ecosystems from around the world in a single afternoon, while the dramatic planetarium shows transport visitors through the cosmos. Across the Music Concourse, the de Young Museum showcases diverse collections from American paintings to African sculptures in its striking copper-clad building. The observation tower offers panoramic views of the park and city beyond, creating natural breaks between viewing collections.
Where to Stay
Located directly across from Golden Gate Park, Stanyan Park Hotel is an affordable, turn-of-the-century hotel listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The meticulously restored 1875 Monte Cristo Inn offers opulent guest rooms with period details and luxurious, modern baths. Located between the Castro and Mission Districts, Parker Guest House is a delightful hideaway with elegant rooms and a relaxing backyard garden.
Walt Disney Family Museum
Tucked within San Francisco’s historic Presidio, the Walt Disney Family Museum reveals the man behind the magic through a thoughtfully curated journey. Unlike typical Disney experiences, this museum focuses on Walt Disney’s personal history, creative process, and technological innovations. Visitors can examine original animation drawings, see the scale model of Disneyland that inspired the park’s creation, and appreciate the pioneering techniques that revolutionized filmmaking. Interactive galleries bring Disney’s story to life, while the museum’s location in a restored brick building offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, combining cultural exploration with architectural and natural beauty.
Where to stay
The Lodge at the Presidio is San Francisco’s closest hotel to the Golden Gate Bridge. The hotel’s handsome contemporary design salutes the building’s military history. Housed inside a Georgian-Revival brick building that once served as the Bachelor Officer’s Quarters, the Inn at the Presidio exudes the understated luxury and comfort once reserved for Army officers. Both boutique hotels offer views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay.
Asian Art Museum
Housing one of the most comprehensive Asian art collections outside Asia, San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum spans 6,000 years of creative expression across diverse cultures. Art collectors and history enthusiasts will appreciate galleries featuring everything from delicate Chinese ceramics and Japanese screens to contemporary installations that challenge traditional perspectives. The museum’s thoughtfully designed spaces and informative displays provide context that deepens appreciation for these cultural treasures. Regular exhibitions focusing on contemporary Asian artists demonstrate how traditions evolve in dialogue with modern influences. The museum’s central location near the Civic Center makes it easily accessible for culturally-minded travelers seeking to understand Asian artistic contributions to global heritage.
Where to stay
Inn at the Opera offers a prime location and luxurious French-inspired ambiance where performing arts lovers and artists converge. Chateau Tivoli welcomes guests with 22 exterior paint colors and gold-leaf trim before revealing Victorian splendor inside. The historic Queen Anne Hotel recalls a bygone era with period-perfect charm. Many of the rooms feature wood-burning fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling bay windows overlooking the city.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) stands as a premier showcase for contemporary creativity, housing extensive collections in its distinctive building with an iconic white expansion designed by Snøhetta. Art enthusiasts can trace the evolution of modern expressions through works by artists ranging from Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol to Gerhard Richter and Julie Mehretu. Photography collectors will appreciate one of the finest photography departments in any American museum, while architecture and design aficionados can explore how form follows function in everyday objects. The museum’s thoughtful curation creates a journey through the ideas and aesthetics that have shaped our modern visual culture, making abstract concepts accessible and engaging for visitors seeking intellectual stimulation.
Where to stay
Cornell Hotel de France creates a turn-of-the-century Parisian hideaway with Edith Piaf music and art from French masters lining the walls. White Swan Inn cleverly blends old English country home charm with sophisticated 1960s London mod style. Petite Auberge crafts a whimsical, romantic ambiance with French countryside charm, ornate wallpapers, and carefully curated global objects.
Computer History Museum
Located in Mountain View, the Computer History Museum chronicles the computing revolution that has transformed our world. Technology enthusiasts will be fascinated by the comprehensive collection tracing the evolution from early calculating machines to personal computers, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence. The museum’s exhibits make complex technological developments accessible through interactive displays, working demonstrations, and compelling narratives about the innovators who pushed boundaries. Visitors can see the first Google server, rare Apple I computers, and massive mainframes that once filled entire rooms. Beyond hardware, the museum explores how digital technologies have revolutionized communication, entertainment, and social interaction, offering perspective on how rapidly these tools have evolved and where they might lead in the future.
Where to stay
Enchante Boutique Hotel brings Paris to Downtown Los Altos with guest rooms featuring private balconies or gas fireplaces that feel like a Parisian pied-à-terre. Atherton Inn offers warm, B&B hospitality with hotel conveniences on a leafy street in America’s wealthiest zip code.
Charles M. Schulz Museum
The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa celebrates the creator of the beloved “Peanuts” comic strip through a thoughtfully designed experience. Comic art enthusiasts will appreciate the changing galleries of original artwork showing Schulz’s development as an artist and storyteller. The recreation of his studio provides intimate insights into his creative process, while the museum’s theater screens classic Peanuts specials in their original format. Outside, beautiful gardens include a unique labyrinth in the shape of Snoopy’s head, creating contemplative spaces between exhibits. This specialized museum reveals how Schulz’s seemingly simple characters addressed complex human emotions and social issues, demonstrating the profound cultural impact of his gentle humor.
Where to stay
In Santa Rosa, the Gables Wine Country Inn welcomes guests to a beautifully restored 1877 Gothic Victorian with period-inspired guest rooms and gourmet breakfasts served daily. Kenwood Inn & Spa is a Mediterranean-inspired hideaway in Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon. The exquisite grounds feature lush courtyard gardens, fountains, outdoor fireplaces, two pools, and a spa.