Showing posts with label Museums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Museums. Show all posts

Saturday, 20 August 2011

San Jose Tech Museum



Tech Museum Once upon a time, the San Jose Tech Museum was just a mere dream. In 1978, enthusiastic members of the Junior League of Palo Alto joined with the San Jose League to collaborate on their vision of an exciting learning center that would be devoted to science and technology. The first 20,000 square foot temporary exhibit made its debut in 1990. In October of 1998, the San Jose Tech Museum opened its doors. The facility was 132,000 square feet. That day 2,800,000 visited the San Jose Tech Museum.

Tech Museum Today, the Tech Museum in San Jose is also known as the Tech Museum of Innovation or simply The Tech. The Tech Museum in San Jose is located in Silicon Valley, in the downtown section of San Jose. The major focuses of the Tech Museum in San Jose is technology and its effects on who we are and how we live, work, play and learn. The Tech has become both a research center as well as an educational and cultural venue for visitors and local alike. The museum serves as a showcase for latest high-tech gizmos and gadgets that are the essence Silicon Valley. Because of its versatility, it has become a major San Jose tourist attraction.

The San Jose Tech Museum is composed of three fascinating floors. Each of these floors has its own special significance. Like any other San Jose museum, the ground floor is where you will find the main entrance, a unique gift shop and cafe, the IMAX Theater, and a recreational area that is set aside for special events. The Hackworth IMAX Theater is named after Mike and Joan Hackworth. This popular San Jose tourist attraction shows a variety of 3-D movies such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Batman Begins. Sport films are phenomenal on IMAX. If you could not make it to the Tour de France, you'll love to see Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France. While you may have seen these films at the theaters on television or on video, it is quite amazing to watch them with crystal clear images ranging up to eight stories high. With 13,000 watts of wrap-around digital surround sound, you will believe that you are truly part of the film.

The second floor of the Tech Museum in San Jose is where you can find most of the permanent exhibits. Occasionally, many of these exhibits become modified. The lower level of the San Jose Tech Museum contains the areas for temporary exhibits which are often changed. Since there is always something new at the museum, it remains a popular San Jose tourist attraction.

The Board of Directors of the San Jose Tech Museum has a definitive mission. They believe that future of the well-being of the United States is dependent innovation and development in advanced technologies. With this in mind, they strive to inspire students with interactive exhibits, empower teachers with training in the current technological applications and enable visitors from parts of the world to explore and enjoy the wonders of technology.

Saturday, 13 August 2011

San Francisco Railway Museum, California


The San Francisco Railway Museum offers tremendous insight into the role that trains and rail transit played in the city's history. This role cannot be understated, as these means of transportation were largely responsible for increasing the overall quality of life in San Francisco after being introduced in the 1800s. Numerous historic artifacts at the museum help to tell the story of railway history in San Francisco, as do archival photographs and illustrative displays. Most of the permanent exhibits at this fascinating train museum revolve around the city's antique streetcars and landmark cable cars, while the temporary exhibits can cover anything from trains to the famed 1906 Earthquake.

The San Francisco Railway Museum isn't a large museum, so it is easy to fit into your day between larger attractions. Helping to make the museum even more enticing is the fact that it is free. Once inside, visitors can decide how in depth they want to get when it comes to railway history in San Francisco. For some, admiring the old streetcars and cable cars is enough, while others will want to take a closer look at things. That's where the supplemental exhibits come in. In addition to examining archival photographs and checking out the various illustrative displays, visitors can also watch vintage footage of streetcars operating at the height of their popularity. Mixed into this footage are nostalgic commentaries from people who used to rely on the streetcars for getting around.

The railway history in San Francisco is quite akin to the railway history of so many other American cities. For nearly a century starting in the mid-1800s, streetcars weren't just about getting from point A to point B. Passengers could easily hop on a train or streetcar to get to any number of destinations in and around the city, and these trips were usually small escapes from everyday life. Riding the rails was widely considered to be enjoyable, and to this day, San Francisco remains tied to its railway past. Some of the cable cars still operate in the downtown area, as do historic streetcars. In fact, visitors to the train museum in San Francisco can even take a streetcar or cable car to the museum itself. They can also use the modern BART trains to get within walking distance of the San Francisco Railway Museum.

A visit to the train museum in San Francisco is a must if you truly want to get a grasp on the city's history. San Francisco is arguably the most interesting U.S. city in terms of railway history, and it has long been associated with the image of cable cars. Helping to make a visit to the train museum in San Francisco worth considering is the fact that the museum enjoys an excellent location.

The San Francisco Railway Museum can be found where the Embarcadero meets Market Street. In addition to being close to street and cable car stations, the San Francisco Railway Museum is also near the ferry ports at the Ferry Building. A number of great attractions can be found in the general area, which means that the train museum can easily fit on a multi-stop itinerary. The San Francisco Cable Car Museum isn't too far away, which should pique the interest of those who are planning on visiting the San Francisco Railway Museum.

Museums in San Francisco , California


A San Francisco Museum is a microcosm of the city itself, which is a living, breathing monument with sights and attractions both old and new. From the Cable Car to the Fisherman\'s Wharf, the city by the Bay is filled with things to do and see. This world-class city has some of the best offerings for arts and cultural entertainment for the visitor that wants to experience something besides the crowded tourist attractions like Pier 39.

From the dinosaur fossils at the California Academy of Sciences to the San Francisco MOMA to the scores of galleries filled with modern and classical works, any art lover will revel in a walking tour of the city. The latest San Francisco museum to reopen is the California Academy of Sciences, which used to be housed in its historic location in the famous Golden Gate Park. It still has all the same great exhibits and displays, and is in a convenient downtown location at 857 Howard Street between 4th and 5th Streets, and only a short walk from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Every day from 10am to 5pm you can visit this interesting science museum, which has a colorful aquarium, and an awe-inspiring aquarium. Adults and children both have a great time learning about natural history with its excellent hands on exhibits. Admission to the California Academy of Sciences is $8.50 for adults, $5.50 for kids 12-17, and $2 for children 4-11.

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art was the first modern art museum in the western United Stated when it first opened in 1935, and today it still draws crowds for its world class exhibits. Since 1995, the San Francisco MOMA has been housed in a distinctive, modern building fitting for its collect of famous art from the 20th century. This $62 million dollar facility is located right in downtown San Francisco, on third avenue between Folsom and Howard Street. The San Francisco MOMA highlights modern photography and paintings in over 50,000 square feet of space spread out over four floors of spacious galleries, which are filled with natural light.

If you happen to be in Yerba Buena, which is a public park right across the street from the SF MOMA, you'll be able to see parts of the building from the upper level pavilions that you'd miss from the street. This one of a kind structure has a cylindrical tower in its center, surrounded by stepped blocks of cement. Filled with high ceilings and skylights, this is undoubtedly the most pleasant, airy San Francisco museum.

The new home of the Asian Art Museum is equally as impressive. Also in downtown, this is the most impressive collection of Asian Art anywhere in North America. From textiles and furniture to jade sculptures and paintings, the exhibits at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum are extensive enough to entertain the curious visitor for hours. With 40,000 feet of exhibit space, there is enough room to display 40% of the collections 15,000 art objects.

With art from Japan and the South Pacific to the Middle East, visiting the San Francisco Asian Art Museum is like taking a trip through the continent of Asia, from east to west. Next time you visit the Bay Area, make time to visit a great San Francisco museum.

Museums in San Francisco , California


The San Francisco museums are renowned and known countrywide, while some are internationally renowned. Some of the best museums in San Francisco are art museums, and they include the renowned M.H. de Young Museum, which is usually simply referred to as the de Young Museum. San Francisco museums feature a wide array of topics beyond art as well, from the family-oriented Exploratorium to the California Academy of Sciences.

The de Young Museum is one of the leading museums in the city. This is the place to see artistic masterpieces ranging from Impressionist paintings to modern art to art from around the world, or check out a specially installed exhibition.

As is true of the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences can be found at Golden Gate Park. This science museum has been popular for more than 150 years, and thanks to the opening of a new Academy, it is better than ever. The California Academy of Sciences is an exceptionally complete museum complex, and it features a planetarium, a natural history museum, a research program, and an aquarium. For those who take a special liking to the aquarium, a visit to the Aquarium of the Bay at the Embarcadero might be in order as well. Both of these San Francisco aquariums can provide excellent insight into the underwater world, and they are great family attractions.

The California Academy of Sciences isn't the only museum in San Francisco where residents and visitors can explore the world of science. There's also the Exploratorium, which can easily satisfy a few hours of time. According to some industry experts, the Exploratorium is the best science museum in the world, and it can be found in the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts building.

Visiting a museum in San Francisco to learn about local history is a good option as well. One of the most interesting history museums in San Francisco is the Wells Fargo Museum. The history of California is very much tied to the history of Wells Fargo, and visitors to the Wells Fargo Museum will gain plenty of insight into the days when the West was wild.

These are just some of the San Francisco museums that residents and visitors alike can visit when looking for fun things to do, and there are plenty of other ones worth considering. While spending some time at the Yerba Buena Gardens, visitors can check out some art at the Center of for the Arts Gallery. Not far from the Yerba Buena Gardens, the impressive Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) can be found. MOMA houses a collection that is widely considered to be one of the most comprehensive of its kind on the entire West Coast. Some of the other museums in San Francisco that are worth keeping in mind while in town include the Asian Art Museum, the San Francisco Railway Museum, and the Cable Car Museum, to name a few. If nothing else, a trip to a museum in San Francisco can make for an ideal rainy day pursuit. Thanks to the quality of museums like these, however, a trip to a San Francisco museum can also be rewarding when the sun is shining.

De Young Museum San Francisco, California



The de Young Museum San Francisco was founded in 1895, which makes it the oldest museum in the city. In 2005, this excellent art museum reopened after undergoing renovations, and it is better than ever. The striking copper facade at the de Young San Francisco hints at the museum's overall quality, and once visitors step inside, it's not hard to linger longer than expected. This renowned art museum in San Francisco houses one of the country's best collections of American paintings, and it is also known for its other art exhibits, which include pieces from Oceania, Africa, and the Americas. There is a lot to take in on a trip to the de Young Museum, and one never knows what they might come across when it comes to the temporary exhibits. These exhibits have been known to include anything from King Tut-related relics to famous European paintings.

The de Young Museum San Francisco can be found within the boundaries of Golden Gate Park, which some locals have failed to find favor with. For some time, the museum had plans to move to a location in the financial district. This never happened, however, as a number of supporters wanted the museum to stay where it was. While the quality of the de Young Museum's location might be up for debate, the same can not be said about its impressive exhibits. The American Painting exhibit, which features 1,100 works, is just one of the permanent exhibits that has helped the museum earn such a fine reputation.

The pieces that are on display at the de Young Museum's American Painting exhibit range from colonial era works to modern day examples. Among the most renowned works from this collection are the Boatmen on the Missouri and Ocean Park #116. The former was painted by George Caleb Bingham and dates back to 1846. Like other genre paintings of the time, it manages to make an otherwise mundane moment from everyday life seem extremely captivating. As for Ocean Park #116, it is a unique modern piece from Richard Diebenkorn that was ahead of its time when it was completed in 1979.

In addition to an impressive American Painting exhibit, the de Young Museum San Francisco also features a renowned collection of American sculptures and decorative arts. Among the highlights in this exhibit are the beautiful, eighteenth-century pieces of furniture. The early twentieth century Louis Comfort Tiffany Vase is also of special interest, as are a number of other pieces. Not all of the renowned pieces at the de Young Art Museum in San Francisco hail from the United States, however. The Art of the Americas exhibit features more than 2,000 pieces, many of which are ancient relics from such countries as Peru and Mexico. Interesting pieces from Canada are also featured.

Visitors can easily spend a few hours taking in all the pieces that are on display at the de Young San Francisco, and when they aren't checking out the exhibits, they can pick up some healthy fare at the onsite restaurant. A picnic in the sculpture garden is worth considering when the weather is nice. Picnic or not, the sculpture garden is a rewarding place to hang out. Before or after visitors take to the open grassy areas on a visit to the de Young San Francisco museum, they might make a stop at the gift shop, which offers a wide array of interesting keepsakes. Heading up to the top of the museum's 144-foot-tall tower is also an option. The views of the Bay Area are quite spectacular. One can view any number of landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the TransAmerica Building.

The de Young Museum San Francisco is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and from mid-January to November, it stays open until 8:45 p.m. on Fridays. Often, some of the temporary exhibits stay open a little longer than the permanent ones, so visitors might start their tours off in the permanent exhibit areas. There are different kinds of tours available at the de Young Art Museum in San Francisco, and they include audio tours and private and public docent-led tours.

It is important to note that admission to the de Young Museum includes admission to the Legion of Honor, which is a World War I memorial that mirrors the Legion of Honor Palace in Paris, France. It is also worth noting that discounted admission to both of these attractions can be enjoyed by CityPass holders. This special San Francisco tourist card also awards holders with discounts on Aquarium of the Bay tickets and San Francisco Bay cruises and other local attractions.

Saturday, 6 August 2011

Museums in Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs museums offer cultural enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy exhibits that mostly revolve around art and history. Complementing the art and history museums is the Palm Springs Air Museum, and should you be interested in side trips while in town, nearby cities offer up museums of their own that deserve a look. Over in La Quinta, for example, there's the La Quinta Museum. This cultural center takes a look at the history of La Quinta and that of the area in general.

For art enthusiasts who are visiting the Palm Springs area, there is at least one museum that is not to be missed. The Palm Springs Art Museum, which was formerly known as the Palm Springs Desert Museum, boasts a fine collection, especially for those who are interested in Native American art and Western art. It's not all about the art at the wonderful Palm Springs Art Museum, however. Various Mesoamerican artifacts are on display, and there's even an area that is dedicated to the desert region's natural history. Only adding to the allure of the Palm Springs Art Museum is the Annenberg Theater. This state-of-the-art theater hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including lectures and plays.

When looking for good museums to visit while in the Palm Springs area, you might add the Palm Springs Air Museum to your list. Found on the Palm Springs International Airport's north side, this excellent museum focuses on WWII aircraft and the history of this war in general. Among the airplanes that are on display are a Grumman F4F Wildcat, a McDonnell Douglas F4 Phantom, and a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon. On certain days, flight demonstrations allow Palm Springs Air Museum visitors to see some of the planes in action. Guided tours can be arranged.

There are lots of fun things to do in Palm Springs, but for history buffs, one of the best is a trip to the Palm Springs Historical Society. This museum focuses on Palm Springs history on the whole and is comprised of two pioneer homes that date back to the 1800s. You can find these homes on The Village Green, which is set among the other attractions on Palm Canyon Drive. These other attractions, should you be wondering, include a variety of shops and restaurants. The general admission fees for the Palm Springs Historical Society are nominal, and kids get in free with an adult.

These are the most established Palm Springs museums, but they aren't the only ones that deserve some consideration while in the area. As is true of the Palm Springs Historical Society, the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum calls Palm Canyon Drive's The Village Green area home. The native Cahuilla Indians, who have lived in the Palm Springs area for hundreds of years, are the focus of this museum, and their story is told through a variety of artifacts and other exhibit pieces. For a different experience, you might check out the history museum that can be found at the Palm Springs Tramway Mountain Station. This museum focuses on natural history and the history of the tramway. Among the highlights is the short film that covers the history of the tramway itself.

Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Rubicon Centennial Museum, Napa Valley

The Rubicon Centennial Museum is a historical accompaniment to the traditional winery tour at this lovely Rutherford estate. Included in the $25 admission price, the museum displays artifacts from the beginning of the original Inglenook winery founded on the same site in 1880 and beyond. This unique element of the Napa Valley Rubicon Estate draws visitors who are looking for more than a traditional winery tour. The family is just as intertwined with the history as the wine. At one of the most popular historic Napa wineries wine enthusiasts and history buffs alike will be impressed by the holdings of the museum. A detailed history of founder Gustave Niebaum is revealed, along with a collection of old Inglenook vintages. You’ll hardly believe the label when it reads "Vintage 1906."

The Rubicon Centennial Museum also holds the Captain’s Room, which was the first tasting room on-site, created when the winery was under the direction of Niebaum. Photographs reveal just how innovative the engineering of the original winery was for its time. Not all historic Napa wineries revere their past so highly, as guests can see by the many black and white photographs displayed in the museum. From field workers at Inglenook to the original gravity-flow process (at that time an engineering marvel), a real pride in the history of the winery can be seen. The Napa Valley Rubicon has become known almost as much for its history, as for its world-class wines, making it a unique stop on any wine-tasting tour in the region.

Wednesday, 20 July 2011

The Natural History Museum in San Diego

The San Diego Natural History Museum is an impressive and popular destination in San Diego’s Balboa Park. The museum was established in 1874 and is the third oldest scientific institution west of the Mississippi River. It is the oldest such museum in Southern California and has earned a reputation as one of the most thorough and comprehensive history museums around. SDNHM features a range of exhibits and displays. Some of the most popular of these are in the field of paleontology and the museum’s collection of full-sized dinosaur reconstructions and other fossils have caused the museum to often be dubbed the San Diego Dinosaur Museum.

When you visit the Balboa Park Natural History Museum you enter into a realm of past lives and mysteries as well as great insights and revelations. Exhibits such as the Darwin: Evolution Revolution represent remarkable feats in curating offering guests an intimate look at the important scientist’s letters, notebooks, artwork, and personal belongings.

One of the most popular San Diego Natural History Museum exhibits is the Fossil Mysteries Display. This compelling exhibit displays and explains fossils from dinosaurs to mastodons. This display covers the span of 75 million years from the dinosaurs to the Ice Ages and beyond. Both children and adults alike are sure to be taken aback at SDNHM by the megalodon, albertosaurus, and mastodon on display in this section of the museum.

But the San Diego Natural History Museum features more than just tons of remains, fossils, and reconstructions of dinosaurs and other such pre-human species. SDNHM also offers compelling and diverse exhibits such as Aerial Portraits of the American West, a collection of photographs by John Shelton. This is quite a different experience than the one you will enjoy checking out the dinosaurs, but an interesting one nonetheless. These valuable photographs of some of the most beautiful land in the American West were taken at a time when air quality was such that many of them are now irreplaceable.

The Baja California display is another one of the most popular permanent exhibits at the Balboa Park Natural History Museum. It represents a collection of fabulous imagery from National Geographic photographer and expedition leader Ralph Lee Hopkins. The breathtaking images of this 800-mile long stretch include spectacular shots of plants and animals, awe-inspiring images of the Sonoran Desert, the Gulf of California, and the Pacific Ocean. All of the artwork in the Ordover Gallery where this collection is housed is for sale and all proceeds benefit the SDNHM.

A trip to the San Diego Natural History Museum is an ideal trip for families or groups of friends. It is also a great destination for students and large groups who can take advantage of discounted tickets. Even if you are planning to head to the Balboa Park Natural History Museum solo, you can expect to pay a reasonable entrance fee, which gains you access not only to the museum and all of its galleries, but also to the 300-seat Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan Theatre. It is a small price to pay for such a compelling day of learning and fun at one of the best museums in San Diego. Enjoy a bite of lunch or a latte at the museum café on your way out or while you leisurely enjoy your time at the SDNHM.

Museum of Art in San Diego

The San Diego Museum of Art is amongst the preeminent fine art museums on the West Coast. It is located in the urban cultural center of San Diego, Balboa Park. The encyclopedic collection of art spans from 5000 B.C. to the present day and the museum regularly holds special events and functions around the current exhibitions. SDMA is not only one of the most popular destinations for fine art in San Diego, but also in all of California.

SDMA has featured some of the most renowned and talented artists from Picasso to Rembrandt, Miro to Monet. At any one time there are eight to ten exhibits going on at the San Diego Museum of Art. One of the great appeals of the SDMA is that diverse collections adorn the walls and galleries from jewelry to sculptures, photographs to paintings. There is a popular attraction at the Art Museum in San Diego, for instance, that highlights American artists from the Russian Empire. This feature exhibits the works of talented Russian artists working in the United States after World War II such as Jules Olitsky and Mark Rothko.

The Picasso, Miro, Calder Exhibit puts on display three of the most renowned twentieth-century artists and features over 50 works of their art from sculptures to paintings. It is not at every old museum that you can walk in and see this modernist collection of art including the work of the fabled Pablo Picasso. At the Balboa Park Art Museum in San Diego, however, this is all a part of the fantastic experience you can expect.

The San Diego Museum of art is also well known for its engaging and thoughtfully selected permanent exhibits. The European Art Collection includes artists such as Cotan and Goya and primarily features artists from up until 1960. The fantastic American Art Collection is exceptionally popular at the Balboa Park Art Museum, featuring works of artists such as Mary Cassatt, John Sloan, and Thomas Sully. There is also an Asian Art Collection and a Contemporary Art Collection that comprise two more compelling aspects of the overall museum experience in San Diego.

If you live in San Diego and plan to visit the museum regularly you may consider buying a membership package for discounted admission. Also, groups of fifteen or more receive discounted rates making a day at the Balboa Park Art Museum an ideal field trip for students. Group tours are highly recommended if you want to really get a comprehensive feel for the collection of the art museum. You can take audio tours by yourself and move about the various galleries at your own leisure or you can opt for one of the highly informative group tours where a knowledgeable staff person will walk you and others through some of the main highlights of the collection at the San Diego Museum of Art. There are also tours conducted in Spanish. Along with the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Man, the San Diego Museum of Art ranks among the most popular and well respected in the city.

The Museum of Man in San Diego

The Museum of Man in San Diego is an anthropology and archaeology museum located in Balboa Park in the historic 1915 California Building. The San Diego Museum of Man offers visitors a fascinating journey through the development and progression of Man through various cultural changes and stages. There are exhibits and displays that range in content from explorations of the Maya to native Californians to ancient Egyptians. The Museum of Man holdings include over 72,000 pieces and some 37,000 historical photographs, mostly of American Indians.

The Museum of Man exhibits engaging and unique collections of historical artifacts. The collections primarily focus on pre-Colombian history of the western Americas. Emphasis is placed on the cultures of Native Americans, many of whom occupied the lands in the Southern California region where San Diego is now for generations. It is gratifying and also interesting to gain a better understanding of the role American Indians played in the pre-industrial development of the United States. The San Diego Museum of Man does a brilliant job shedding light upon the importance of the Native American people as well as objectively explicating the progression and development and ultimate decline of much of their population in light of expansion of European Americans to the West Coast.

The permanent exhibits on display at the Museum of Man are sure to excite anyone even peripherally interested in history or anthropology. Because of a rare gift that was given the San Diego Museum of Man by the Egyptian Exploration Society, the museum boasts one of the most impressive collections of ancient Egyptian art and artifacts in the entire United States. All of the artifacts are from the ancient city of Amarna, which is where the Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti reigned. It is also notable that a young King Tut spent the majority of his youth here as well. The exhibit includes hieroglyphic stone carvings, pottery, and jewelry.

Footsteps Through Time: Four Million Years of Human Evolution is another one of the most popular permanent exhibits at the Museum of Man. This unbelievable exhibit features five gallery spaces and over 100 touchable replicas of early humans, primates, and futuristic cyborgs (the museum’s take on what a half-human, half-machine may look like). This particular exhibit truly does display the progression of humankind over the course of history. The popular attraction wisps visitors through a 65 million year journey through time that highlights virtually every major anthropological finding that relates to human beings and human evolution.

Another favorite among the Museum of Man exhibits is Maya: Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth. This fascinating display allows guests an intimate look at this amazing culture that was highly advanced technologically for its time. The Maya were able to do things in terms of building and calculating movements of the sun and seasons with the use of only the most primitive tools. This interactive exhibit sheds light on this most fascinating and enigmatic culture, displaying murals, artifacts, and everyday tools.

The Anthropology Museum in San Diego is a major draw in the city and lends to its reputation as a center for culture in Southern California, and more broadly, on the West Coast. The Museum of Man exhibits some of the most engaging and anthropologically prevalent displays in the United States.

Museums in San Diego

San Diego Museums are some of the most interesting and unique places to enjoy art in California. From the unforgettable tours of World War II vessels to the fascinating lectures at the San Diego Natural History Museum, visitors of all ages enjoy visiting the different museums in San Diego.

Since 1926, the San Diego Museum of Art has been displaying fine works of art from the all around the world. There is an excellent display of modern paintings and sculptures from California and other American artists. There is also a good representation of art from Spain, Italy, and South Asia. The San Diego Museum of Art is the biggest museum in the county, so you know that this is an all day experience that can be enjoyed by all ages. While the admission and hours vary, it is because there are so many different exhibitions taking place year round at the San Diego Museum of Art. If you're planning a visit, it's wise to call ahead to ask about upcoming events.

If you love nature and science, the San Diego Natural History Museum will fulfill and inspire you. This is the oldest research institution in the country that is still in use, since it opened in 1874. With its education programs and research, this is not only one of the top museums in San Diego, it is also one of the most educational experiences you can have while enjoying the sights and sounds of a museum. There are fascinating lectures, and one of a kind displays like the large moving animals that always draw crowds. There is also a fun film to watch called Ocean Oasis; it can be seen on a giant screen by anyone who's curious to learn about the marine and mammal life and ecology of Baja California and the Sea of Cortes. From 10am to 5 pm, visitors can wander through the San Diego Natural History Museum and explore the over 7 million specimens of life from many different species. The great education programs consist of teacher workshops, classes for kids, lectures, nature walks, and a library, which you can loan books and specimens from.

San Diego has a well-known maritime history, and is known for the large cruise ships that dock at its harbor. It is also long been known as a navy hub, and there is still an active base there. The Pacific Fleet is housed here, as well as the famous San Diego Maritime Museum. Here, you can tour the inside of famous 6 famous vessels, and a giant Russian submarine. From steam ferryboats to a replica of a 19th century police ship from the California Gold Rush era, the entire museum is a floating exhibit. The ferryboat is where the offices, the research library, and quite a few displays and exhibits are housed.

Aside from the excellent Southern California beaches you're only minutes away from, visiting the San Diego Maritime Museum gives a sense of richness and history to the backdrop of the waterfront along Harbor Drive, which is filled with tourists from cruise ships and vacationers enjoying excellent views of the Pacific. One admission fee will give you access to each ship in the San Diego Maritime Museum.

From stimulating scientific explorations in the Natural History Museum to the military legacy of the Maritime Museum, these are some of the most interesting and enjoyable museums in San Diego. You will love the diversity of subject matter, scenery, and hands on experience you get to enjoy when you include a visit to San Diego museums in your next California vacation.

Maritime Museum in San Diego

The San Diego Maritime Museum is a popular attraction in the San Diego Bay where guests can explore one of the most pristine and maintained collections of historic ships in the world. The museum is known around the maritime world for restoring and operating historic vessels. It has an impressive fleet including the oldest active ship, the Star of India, an intimidating bark (or three-mast vessel) originally sailed in 1863. It represents what was the most advanced technology of the time and is the centerpiece of one of the best San Diego Maritime Museum exhibits—The Age of Sail.

The Maritime Museum in San Diego is located on the west side of North Harbor Drive. Its proximity to popular attractions including restaurants and accommodations makes it a great destination for a daytime retreat followed by a night on the town in Mission Bay or the Gaslamp Quarter. The collection of historic ships includes the Berkeley, a ferryboat from 1898, the Medea, a steam yacht from 1904 that served in both World Wars and of course, the Star of India in San Diego. Many of the museum’s most popular attractions and exhibits are located right on the decks of the historic vessels. People also hold private events aboard the ships as well, from corporate functions to wedding receptions.

The Star of India in San Diego is the standout ship of the historic collection. The Age of Sail exhibit aboard the Star of India at the San Diego Maritime Museum takes guests through a detailed tour of the ship and displays what it was like to live and work on the sea in the middle of the nineteenth century. There are visual as well as interactive displays that engage the hands and the minds of eager history buffs. You can view the underbelly as well as the upper decks of the ship and see how the intricate, three-mast sailing vessel is powered and steered. The Star of India in San Diego is one of the more impressive examples of sailing technology and is even more alluring as an attraction because it remains the oldest operating ship of its kind in the world.

The Age of Steam permanent exhibit at the Maritime Museum in San Diego hoists visitors aboard the ferryboat Berkeley for an exploration of this early example of advanced steam technology from 1898. You can take part in a comprehensive tour of the ship that details just how important steam power became at the turn of the century in terms of shaping global commerce and trade. Go inside the Berkeley and see how steam power really works.

Charting the Sea, Harvesting the Ocean, and San Diego’s Navy are three more of the exhibits at the San Diego Maritime Museum where you can learn about everything from the Age of Exploration to the days when San Diego was the tuna capital of the world. The Navy exhibit explores the rich more than 100 year history of the United States Navy in San Diego. It is worth noting that you can purchase tickets to the Maritime Museum in San Diego online and save 10 percent on admission. The Star of India in San Diego and the other impressive ships in the museum’s fleet make this destination one of the city’s top attractions along with places like the San Diego Zoo and Natural History Museum. There are also plenty of accommodations and restaurants nearby.

The California Science Center in Los Angeles

The California Science Center in Los Angeles is an excellent place to visit if you want to learn more about how the world works. Formerly the Museum of Science and Industry, this dynamic museum was renovated to the tune of $130 million, and it is now the most popular attraction in LA's Exposition Park. That's saying quite a lot, especially when you consider that this park is also home to the fantastic Los Angeles Natural History Museum, also known as the Dinosaur Museum.

The numerous California Science Center exhibits revolve around many topics, and many of them are interactive. At the Creative World area, for example, visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits that offer insight into how humans use their senses. More insight into the human body and how it deals with the world around it can be gained at the World of Life area, where the exhibits feature names such as the Energy Factory and BodyWorks. Admission to the California Science Center is free, so visitors can enjoy the fantastic exhibits without paying anything. The IMAX at California Science Center puts on various films that cost extra, and the museum is also home to some other attractions that visitors can enjoy for a nominal fee.

The California Science Center exhibits range from things to look at to attractions to interact with and the various attractions can be quite thrilling. The Space Docking Simulator is sure to get your pulse up, as it offers a taste of what zero gravity feels like. The IMAX at California Science Center has a movie screen with an impressive height of seven stories tall and 90 feet wide. Many of the films that are shown in this state-of-the-art IMAX theater utilize 3-D technology, and the dramatic surround sound adds to the overall experience. There is a lot to see and do at the California Science Center, and visitors will want to budget at least a couple of hours to take it all in. The 50-foot-tall animatronic woman exhibit alone can fill the better part of an hour with ease.

Los Angeles is full of great museums, so visitors to the City of Angels will have no trouble getting their cultural fill. Some of the other museums that are worth considering when planning an LA itinerary are the Museum of Art, the Petersen Automotive Museum, and the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center, to name a few. That's just the tip of the iceberg, however, and there are plenty of other fun things to do around town and in the general area when you're not taking in world-class museum exhibits.

Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles

The Petersen Automotive Museum is a Los Angeles attraction that car and motorcycle enthusiasts won't want to miss. One of the best museums in the city, this place is all about things that go, and checking out some amazing vehicles isn't the only allure. Visitors to the Petersen Automotive Museum Los Angeles can also learn all about the history of the automobile, as well as get a better understanding about the impact that cars have had on modern culture.

A car museum in Los Angeles seems so appropriate, as this city of freeways is very much attached to the automobile industry. The museum didn't open until 1994, which pleased many locals who had been pining for one for decades. It is named for Robert Petersen, who is credited with creating Motor Trend and Hot Rod magazines. While it may have taken a while for locals to get their car museum in Los Angeles, the wait was well worth it. The 300,000-square-foot Petersen Automotive Museum is one of the largest automotive museums in the world, and it displays more than 200 cars and motorcycles. These cars and motorcycles range from classic to futuristic models, and they are displayed in a convenient chronological order.

In addition to some of the most fascinating cars and motorcycles on the face of the earth, the Petersen Automotive Museum Los Angeles also boasts a fun interactive floor where visitors can learn about things like how a car works. Formerly housed in the Natural History Museum, the Petersen Automotive Museum now occupies a historic department store building at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard. The museum caters to all ages, and the ticket prices are reasonable. For those who are interested, a variety of two-hour tours can be enjoyed at the Petersen Automotive Museum, and they only add extra depth to the experience. As for operating hours, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The interactive Discovery Center closes two hours prior to the rest of the museum.

Natural History Museum in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Natural History Museum has enjoyed its location in Exposition Park since 1913. Originally known as the Museum of History, Science, and Art, this excellent museum has undergone its fair share of changes over time. For some time, the beautiful building that houses the Los Angeles Natural History Museum also housed the Museum of Modern Art and the Petersen Automotive Museum. Both of these museums have since moved to other buildings that can be found on Wilshire Boulevard, freeing up more room for Natural History Exhibits. Since many an exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles revolves around dinosaurs, the museum is often referred to as the Dinosaur Museum.

One of the best exhibits at the Los Angeles Dinosaur Museum is the Fighting Dinosaurs, which depicts a fearsome tyrannosaurus rex that is about to tangle with a triceratops. Not all of the exhibits at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum focus on dinosaurs however. The pre-Colombian cultures exhibit is one of the most popular, as are the exhibits that are dedicated to recreating specific animal habitats. Exhibit after exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles offers insight into the planet that we call home, and there are also interactive areas where kids and kids at heart can observe curious creatures, make fossil rubbings, and enjoy a range of other fun experiences.

The Los Angeles Natural History Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the western United States, and it can easily satisfy a few hours for those who are looking for fun things to do in Los Angeles. The museum is open daily, except for major holidays, and hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discounted group rates can be enjoyed at the Los Angeles Dinosaur Museum, and seniors, students, and children also enjoy discounted admission prices.

Other Los Angeles attractions that can make great family destinations include the La Brea Tar Pits and the Page Museum, both of which also carry the dinosaur theme. The Los Angeles Zoo is also worth keeping in mind, and nearby Anaheim boasts Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. Los Angeles vacations truly offer something for everyone, and these are just some of the area attractions worth keeping on the radar.

Hollywood Wax Museum, Los Angele

The Hollywood Wax Museum can be the ideal destination when you find yourself looking for something interesting to do in Los Angeles. In a city this full of celebrities and museums, it's only natural that there is a wax museum located here. As is true of any museum, visitors to the Wax Museum in Hollywood are free to arrive at their own opinion when it comes to the quality of the works. According to some, the Clint Eastwood and Elizabeth Taylor statues figure among the best, and the Baywatch representation of David Hasselhoff offers a considerable likeness.

The Hollywood Wax Museum is relatively easy to find, as it is located on Hollywood Boulevard. Right across the street from the museum is the Hollywood & Highland Center, and Grauman's Chinese Theater is only a block away. Helping to draw attention to the Wax Museum in Hollywood is a costumed employee, who is dressed like Frankenstein. Through various antics, this employee attempts to draw people inside. Also helping to draw in visitors is the new neon sign, which was part of the 2006 renovations. Once inside, visitors can examine the more than 180 figures at the Hollywood Wax Museum. Many of these figures depict classic stars, such as John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe, while others represent personalities of the day, including Johnny Depp and Gwenyth Paltrow.

Tickets to the Hollywood Wax Museum can be purchased at the door, and the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. until midnight on weekdays. On weekends, the museum stays open until 1 a.m. For those who are interested, a combination ticket that allows for discounted admission to the Wax Museum and the nearby Guinness World Records Museum is available. Often Los Angeles tour and vacation packages will also include discounted tickets to the Hollywood Wax Museum.

LACMA in Los Angeles

LACMA is one of the finest art museums in the country, and it features no fewer than 110,000 pieces for visitors to enjoy. These pieces date from past times to the present, and they include works by such renowned artists as Rembrandt and Monet. More formerly known as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, this museum complex on Wilshire Drive covers approximately twenty acres and is comprised of seven different buildings. It's the largest museum of its kind west of Chicago, which means that visitors should budget at least a couple of hours if they want to get a good look.

There is a lot to take in at LACMA, and the various exhibits offer a comprehensive look at art through the ages. Some of the oldest pieces on display are part of the Art of the Ancient Americas exhibit. The highlight of this exhibit is the collection of objects from ancient Mexico, with the Masked Male Figure being one of the more interesting pieces. This curious ceramic sculpture comes from the Maya culture, and it dates back to around 700-900 A.D. Other exhibits at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art that boast ancient pieces of considerable interest are the Egyptian Art exhibit and the Art of the Ancient Near East. Visitors to this amazing art museum in Los Angeles could spend hours alone admiring the pieces in these two exhibits, with highlights including an Egyptian sarcophagus and a sixth-century vase that was unearthed in Iran.

The exhibits at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art are numerous and varied. For those who are interested in fashion history, the Costume and Textiles exhibit deserves some extra time, while photography enthusiasts won't want to miss the Wallis Annenberg Photography Department. Some of the other permanent exhibits at LACMA include the South and Southeast Asian Art exhibit and the European Painting exhibit. The former offers pieces from countries including Thailand and Vietnam, while the latter highlights an array of priceless paintings. Among the highlights in the European Painting exhibit is The Raising of Lazarus by Rembrandt. This piece dates back to 1630 and depicts the culmination of the ministry of Christ. It was the only painting of this miraculous event that Rembrandt ever did.

LACMA was established in 1961, and it has been impressing visitors ever since. Before that, this renowned art museum in Los Angeles was part of a larger museum that is now the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Numerous additions to LACMA have been added over the years, including the 60,000-square-foot Broad Contemporary Art Museum, which opened in 2008. It is interesting to note that newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst, was the largest benefactor of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art between the years of 1946 and 1951. To this day, no other donor has contributed more to LACMA's collection than Hearst.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art can be found at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard along the famed Museum Row. Adjacent to the museum are the La Brea Tar Pits and the George C. Page Museum. LACMA is open every day of the year, except for Wednesdays and major holidays, and general hours are noon to 8 p.m. After 5 p.m., visitors can pay what they want to get in, and the museum is free all day long on certain days of the year. For those who have to pay full price to get into this dynamic art museum in Los Angeles, the money is well worth it. In a city full of museums, LACMA stands out as one of the best, and since the collection is so large, repeat visits might be in order.

Museums in Hollywood , Los Angeles

The Hollywood Entertainment Museum is one of the Los Angeles attractions that brings together the history and magic of movie making and brings you close to movies and actors that are famous being a part of movie history.

Since 1996, the Hollywood Entertainment Museum has been drawing crowds who want to see for themselves the famous props and costumes that were part of the most popular shows and well-known films in moviemaking history. There are quite a few new Hollywood museums you might enjoy visiting when you're touring Los Angeles, some of which are the Hollywood Studio Museum, which highlights the various movie theatres that make their home in this historic neighborhood. The Warner Brothers Museum draws crowds of cartoon lovers who want to see an exhibit that is all about their favorites cartoon characters, and is right on the Warner Bros. lot.

While the Hollywood Entertainment Museum is not enormous, it does have some very famous sets on its premises, like the Star Trek set and the set from the Cheers TV show. Techies will love being able to sit in the Captain\'s chair from the Next Generation show. You can also walk on top of a scale model of Hollywood itself, and learn about its history through the timeline, which has a listing of the dates of important moment in Hollywood history.

If you\'re one of the many tourists on Hollywood Boulevard, you can't miss the Chinese Theatre; it is a distinctive red structure with exotic architecture and crowds of sight seers. Only a block away is an excellent place to come close to your favorite celebrities; at the Hollywood Wax Museum. There are 220 wax figures here, and they are constantly being updated as new stars rise to fame. Liz Taylor, Clint Eastwood, and the entire cast of the MASH television show are all on display at the Hollywood Wax Museum.

You can add to the fun when you buy a discounted ticket that gives you admission to the Guinness World Records Museum just across the street in addition to the Hollywood Wax Museum. Hollywood attractions are usually free, but some charge admission, so to avoid spending more than you anticipated its wise to decide before you visit what you\'d like to see and look into any discount or combined admissions before your trip.

Hollywood is filled with star studded attractions, from the Movie Studios to the Walk of Fame. There are also a lot of historical landmarks, like the famous Hollywood sign and Mann's Chinese Theatre. Hollywood Museums are some of the best Los Angeles attractions because they allow you to literally touch props from the actual sets of some of the most famous television shows and see what your favorite actor looks like up close. A visit to one of these interesting exhibits rounds out an interesting, attraction-filled visit to one of the most well known neighborhoods in the world.

The Getty Center, Los Angeles

Getty Center - Surrounding The Getty Center Los Angeles is home to the J. Paul Getty Center Museum. It also houses a research institute a leadership training institute, a grant program and a conservation institute. The Getty Center Los Angeles was opened on December 16, 1997.

Getty Center - Courtyard The Getty Center Los Angeles which was designed by architect Richard Meier is the flagship museum of the J. Paul Getty Trust. The center has a seven-story deep underground parking garage, complete with over 2,000 parking spaces. It's location on a hill in Brentwood Los Angeles is high enough that on a clear day, one can see the snow at the top of Big Bear, along with the Pacific Ocean and all of the Los Angeles basin. The buildings of the Getty Center Los Angeles are made of travertine and white marble. A three-car tram carries passengers to and from the Getty Center Museum.

Getty Center - Interior The Getty Center Museum has a number of fine collections and exhibitions of classical sculpture and art. They also exhibit European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture, decorative arts, and photographs. In general, most of the works are pre-twentieth century. About 25 special exhibitions take place each year at the Getty Art Center. The constantly growing Antiquities Exhibit at the Getty Art Center includes marble sculptures, bronzes, Greek and Roman gems, Hellenistic silverware and Greek vases.

The 134,000 square foot Central Garden at the Getty Art Center is the creation of the well-known artist, Robert Irwin. The Center Garden design creates a natural pathway between the Museum and the Research Institute for the History of Art and the Humanities. The walkway passes over a stream that culminates in a dramatic waterfall.

This section of the Getty Art Center is devoted to conservation, which is a fundamental responsibility of the Getty Center Museum. Their conservation projects involve acquiring, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art. The Getty Art Center conservation professionals perform a variety of services which include damage prevention and restoration.

In addition to conserving the art works of this popular Los Angeles museum also has a research center for discovering the provenance of the different pieces. Of particular interest is the research done on the Holocaust period lootings and the post-war distribution of the stolen art.

Not only is the Getty Art Center a fascinating Los Angeles Museum, it also sponsors some excellent symposiums. The Symposium on Contemporary Performance of Ancient Greek and Roman Drama was held on June of 2002. This event brought together well-known theater practitioners and theater academics to address the forms of contemporary adaptations of ancient drama.

Museums in Los Angeles

Los Angeles museums are among some of the most well known in the country. Home to some of the newest, most innovative structures like the Gettty Museum and excellent art collections like the one at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, there is no lack of cultural wealth in Southern California.

The extensive collection at the Getty Museum warrants at least a full day to fully explore. This unique building, designed by the well-known architect Richard Meier, is a work of art within itself. Over 1.2 million visitors a year wander through the halls of the Getty Museum to enjoy the vast collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and decorative arts displays dating from 400 AD to the 20th century. Set in a scenic hilly setting, this innovative structure has a very creative use of water, and its contours mimic the hilly landscape. Since 1997, this is where the art collection of the famous collector J. Paul Getty has been housed, and this strikingly original building overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the famous Los Angeles skyline.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is within easy walking distance of other California attraction and nearby museums like the La Brea Tar Pits and the Automotive Museum. Also known as LACMA, this is among the top art museums in the country. This large collection has everything from the earliest photographs from 1839 to a modern art section. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is well known for its exquisite Japanese art collection.

Anyone who has traveled extensively in California knows that the Golden State has some of the best public gardens in the country, and some of these are the oldest Japanese water gardens in the West. There is no lack of Asian object represented and LACMA, so you should visit here if you enjoy Chinese and Japanese art and culture. With art objects dating from 900 BC, you are sure to be able to enjoy a rich and fulfilling experience when you visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. If you\'re planning to visit LACMA, be sure to keep in mind that it doesn\'t open until 12 noon most days, but it does stay open until 8pm. LACMA is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas day. The second Tuesday of each month, admission is free.

The California African American Museum will interest anyone who wants to learn more about the history of the African culture in America. There are artifacts and artworks from the African culture, both past and present. Admission to the California African American Museum, and is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. While most of the exhibits focus on works from Western and California artists, but there are also a number of temporary exhibits which take place in the elegant sculpture court which is in the entrance to the California African American Museum.

Aside from the crowded Southern California beaches and the big theme parks, the museums offer the visitor balance to a fun-filled but unenriching theme park and beach vacation. You can feel good you took your family to learn more about culture and history when you visit one of the excellent museums in Los Angeles.