Museums Natural History
California

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Adan E. Treganza Anthropology Museum
San Francisco, California

Natural History

The Museum was originally created as a lab to store specimens collected by the late Prof. Adan E. Treganza. Exhibitions of parts of the collection can be seen at the Hohenthaler Gallery. The museum itself is not open to the public.

Angels Camp Museum
Angels Camp, California

Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Natural History, Science, Specialized

This beautiful little foothill town was founded in 1848 and two years later Placer gold was discovered. Located in Calaveras County, and the home of Mark Twain's famous Jumping Frog Jubilee, Angels Camp is nestled peacefully in the Sierra Foothills between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, just three hours from the bay area.

Antelope Valley Indian Museum - Closed
Lancaster, California

Culture, Natural History

The museum features an anthropological collection representing American Indians of the Californian, Great Basin and Southwestern Culture Regions.

Aquarium of the Bay
San Francisco, California

Children's, General, Natural History, Nature Centers, Science, Specialized

Aquarium of the Bay is San Francisco Bay’s Aquarium. We are passionate about providing fun and unforgettable encounters with our natural world in ways that ignite both wonder and conservation. We do this from our 50,000 square foot building at the heart of San Francisco's history and culture. We are nestled in the shadow of Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill on Fisherman’s Wharf at PIER 39, along the City’s “Walkable Waterfront.”

Ash Mountain Visitor Center
Three Rivers, California

Natural History

Ash Mountain Visitor Center in Three Rivers, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Bay Model Visitor Center
Sausalito, California

General, History, Natural History, Nature Centers, Science

The Bay Model and the Bay Model Visitor Center is a research and education facility built and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Inside is one of the most fascinating scientific tools you'll ever see: a working hydraulic model of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento - San Joaquin River Delta Systems; simulate tide, currents, sediment movement. Used by scientists and engineers.

Butano State Visitor Center
Pescadero, California

Natural History, Park

Butano State Visitor Center in Pescadero, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Cachuma Lake Nature Center
Santa Barbara, California

Anthropology, Botanical Garden, Children's, Culture, Historic House, Natural History, Nature Centers, Park

Cachuma Lake Nature Center in Santa Barbara, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

California Academy Of Sciences
San Francisco, California

Aquarium, Natural History, Planetarium

The California Academy of Sciences is dedicated to the discovery, study and appreciation of the natural world. The museum includes an earthquake simulator, the African Experience lab, a planetarium and the Biodiversity Resource Center.

California State Indian Museum
Sacramento, California

Natural History

California State Indian Museum in Sacramento, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Albinger Archeological Museum
Ventura, California

Natural History

Albinger Archeological Museum in Ventura, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Lancaster, California

Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Natural History, Nature Centers, Park, Science

Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through May, with a variety of wildflowers creating a mosaic of color that changes daily.

Anza-Borrego Museum
Borrego Springs, California

Natural History

Anza-Borrego Museum in Borrego Springs, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Aquarium Of The Pacific
Long Beach, California

Aquarium, Natural History, Nature Centers, Science

Take a journey of discovery through the world’s largest ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. Our website can help prepare you for your visit. Explore our exhibits, and discover sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the North Pacific, and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific. Come face-to-face with, and even touch, the ocean’s ultimate predators in Shark Lagoon. And hand feed lorikeet birds. With affordable prices and an entertaining and educational experience for the whole family, there is no better time to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific than now.

Auburn Joss House Museum
Auburn, California

Culture, History, Library, Natural History, Specialized

Any celebration of Auburn's history would be incomplete without information on early Chinese residents, and their role in town development and growth. The Auburn Joss House, built in 1909 and located on the corner of Sacramento Street and Brewery Lane, is one of the best-known buildings in Old Town Auburn and symbolizes the role of the Chinese in local history.

Buena Vista Museum of Natural History
Bakersfield, California

Natural History

Natural History

C.E. Smith Museum of Anthropology
Hayward, California

Natural History

C.E. Smith Museum of Anthropology in Hayward, CA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Calico Early Man Site
Redlands, California

Natural History

This archaeological digsite is located near Barstow off of I-15. Visitors can explore educational displays at the site.

California Living Museum
Bakersfield, California

Natural History

The California Living Museum displays only California native species of plants and animals.

Carolyn Parr Nature Museum
Napa, California

Archaeology, Children's, Library, Natural History, Nature Centers, Park, Science

Displays of native animals and their natural habitats in Napa Valley; native plant, wildlife habitat garden; nature walks in Westwood Hills Park (picnic area); natural resource library available for reference on site, and children's library and games.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025

Westgate Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hosted by: Public Lands Alliance

The Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show brings together nonprofits, land management agencies and companies to learn, network and engage on public lands issues. The 2025 Convention and Trade Show will take place Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV

Connect with peers, explore the latest in public lands products, and return inspired with new strategies and resources for success in conservation and visitor engagement

Our annual Convention and Trade Show (PLA) is the premier gathering for leaders in the public lands sector to network, gain essential tools, and explore products that enhance the visitor experience and support conservation, preservation, and enrichment efforts.

For more information, please call 301-946-9475.

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

Wednesday, February 5 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Ina Dillard Russell Library Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia

Hosted by: Georgia Association of Museums

The Whole Story Is The Meanin

“For the fiction writer himself the whole story is the meaning, because it is an experience, not an abstraction.”― Flannery O'Connor, Mystery and Manners: Occasional Pros

Join us in Milledgeville, Georgia, for the annual Georgia Association of Museums conference as we explore the profound wisdom of Milledgeville author Flannery O'Connor’s words. In a world where narratives intersect and perspectives diverge, this theme invites proposals that delve into the essence of storytelling within museums and cultural institutions. Our work in the museum field requires us to look at stories from as many angles and perspectives as possible so that we might do our best to tell the “whole story.

Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, we will uncover the layers of meaning embedded within every artifact, exhibition, and historical account. Just as O’Connor masterfully crafted narratives that resonate with universal truths, museums hold the power to illuminate the whole story behind many objects, artworks, and cultural phenomena

We will examine how museums can embrace inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity in their storytelling practices. By acknowledging multiple perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices, we can enrich our understanding of the past and present, fostering empathy and connection within our communities.

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

Monday, February 17 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Hosted by: Small Museum Association

The annual SMA conference attracts more than 300 museum professionals, board members, and volunteers from a wide variety of small museums. They attend sessions on topics ranging from collections and education to staffing and board issues.

We offer a large Museum Resource Hall and plenty of informal networking opportunities for you to talk with (and get ideas from!) other small museum professionals and volunteers

Theme for 2025: Make It Happen!!!

Is there an exhibit, program, or fundraiser that you've been talking about doing for years? Do you feel stuck because of procrastination, lack of board support, or insufficient funds? It's time to take action

At SMA 2025, small museum professionals will share their tips and tricks of how they made it happen!

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

Tuesday, February 18 - Saturday, February 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Hosted by: California Association of Museums

CAM is hard at work planning for the 2025 conference, set to take place from February 18–22, 2025 in San Francisco. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community

The California Association of Museums is excited to continue offering in-person programming for 2025. We will not be requiring proof of COVID vaccination/s, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces will be thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event.

For more information, please email programs@calmuseums.org.

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

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