East Bay Area Museums

San Francisco Museums

North Bay Area Museums (Marin, Napa, Sonoma)

South Bay Area Museums (San Jose, Santa Clara, Silicon Valley)

Museum Listings:

Alameda Museum
2324 Alameda Avenue near Park Street, Alameda, CA
510-865-1767
The museum offers a wide range of services. You can participate by becoming a member. Our Partners in History program offers many benefits. We are especially happy to welcome business supporters (and hope you’ll support them, too!).
http://www.alamedamuseum.org/

Alameda Naval Air Museum
P.O. Box 1769
Alameda, CA 94501
510-522-4262
Our museum is home to a unique collection of artifacts and exhibits emphasizing the role of the Alameda Naval Air Station in the defense of our nation and as an integral part of the local community for over 50 years.
http://www.alamedanavalairmuseum.org/

Bade Museum of Biblical Archaeology
1798 Scenic Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
510-849-8286
The mission of the Bade Museum is to preserve, research, interpret, and present to the public ancient artifacts and texts so as to promote the understanding and teaching of religious history, especially biblical history and the history of the biblical text.
http://bade.psr.edu/

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
2625 Durant Avenue #2250
Berkeley, CA 94720-2250 
510-642-0808
The mission of the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is to inspire the imagination and ignite critical dialogue through art and film. The UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is the visual arts center of the University of California, Berkeley. Through art and film programs, collections and research resources, we aspire to be locally connected and globally relevant, engaging audiences from the campus, community, and beyond.
http://bampfa.berkeley.edu/

Diablo Valley College Museum
321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 
925-685-1230
The museum features exhibits on California Native Americans, scientific instruments, zoology, mineralogy, and anthropology.
http://www.dvc.edu/

Downtown Hayward Museum
22701 Main Street, Hayward, CA 94541
510-581-0223
Located on the east side of San Francisco Bay in California, the Hayward Area Historical Society preserves the diverse history of the Hayward, Castro Valley, and San Lorenzo area. Through educational programs, interpretive exhibitions, and the preservation of historic sites and artifacts, we show the relevance of events that happened in the past to our community today. We strive to inspire our community to investigate and understand our history as we prepare for the future.
http://www.haywardareahistory.org/

Duarte Garage Museum
Livermore Heritage Guild
P.O. Box 961 Livermore, CA 94551
925-449-9927
In 1973, the Livermore Heritage Guild was founded in reaction to the impending demolition of the Southern Pacific Depot building. A group of local citizens realized that there were a number of historically valuable buildings and sites that would disappear in the name of progress if no one organized to prevent it. This led to the founding of the Guild.
http://www.livermorehistory.com/

Golden State Model Railroad Museum
900-A Dornan Drive
Point Richmond, CA 94801
510-234-4884
The club has gone through many changes over the years, both in location and in membership. Our move was traumatic but now we have the dual advantage of being one of the oldest model railroad clubs in the world, in a brand new facility, benefiting from almost 60 years of model railroad experience.
http://www.gsmrm.org/

Habitot Children's Museum
2065 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-647-1111
The East Bay's Discovery Museum for young children. Our hands-on exhibits and drop-in art activities are perfectly tailored for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and families. Habitot offers children's classes and camps, preschool field trips, birthday parties, parenting classes and parent support groups. Come and play!
http://www.habitot.org/

Hearst Art Gallery
1928 Saint Mary's Road
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA; 94575-5110
925-631-4379
The art collection originated in the early part of the 20th century, with the first gallery opening in 1934. The present Hearst Art Gallery, built in 1977 with a grant from the Hearst Foundation, serves both the Saint Mary's College community and the public. Exhibitions and events are enhanced by a wonderful group of volunteers who assist with all aspects of museum operations and members whose generous support makes many programs and publications possible. The Hearst Art Gallery was built with the aid of a grant from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. The Gallery opened in 1977, replacing a smaller William Keith Gallery. The College previously collected and distributed art for several decades, including many works by William Keith (1838-1911), a key figure in the history of California art. Brother Fidelis Cornelius Braeg, Saint Mary's College art professor and Keith biographer, established the original William Keith Collection and Gallery at Saint Mary's in 1934.
http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/

The Judah L. Magnes Museum
The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
510-643-7123
The Museum has a large collection of art and ritual objects, as well as containing the Blumenthal Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and the Western Jewish History Center. Not only does the WJHC document the history of the Jewish community in the thirteen western United States, with a special focus on the San Francisco Bay Area, but it also has a large collection of original records, papers, correspondence, and photographs that documents the history of the Museum, from its beginning to the present. The Center also contains copies of all the museum's publications and a detailed archive of its exhibition history.
http://www.magnes.org/

Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles
2982 Adeline Street
Berkeley, California  94703
510-843-7290
Lacis, founded by Kaethe and Jules Kliot in 1965, was operated by Kaethe Kliot until her untimely passing in 2002, as a haven for the textile community and all involved in virtually every aspect of the textile arts…a place where she provided support, encouragement and knowledge to all. The collection of the Kliot laces and textiles represents 40 years of dedication to the preservation of the finest of human handiwork. The collection includes thousands of specimens from pre-Columbian Peru, the finest from the 17th c. European courts and examples of the machine laces exemplifying the 19th c. industrial revolution An extensive library, focusing on lace, textiles and costume includes over 10,000 items of books, patterns, articles and other ephemera. Related tools of the textile craft include those for all varieties of lace-making as well as an extensive collection of sewing machines.
http://lacismuseum.org/

Lindsay Wildlife Museum
1931 First Ave,
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
925-935-1978
Lindsay Wildlife Museum currently serves more than 100,000 visitors each year, including 40,000 school children. Approximately 600 volunteers are active in the museum's work, contributing more than 120,000 hours of service each year to education, wildlife care, museum operations, fundraising and outreach.
http://www.wildlife-museum.org/

Martinez Museum
1005 Escobar Street
Martinez, CA
925-228-8160
We hope that you enjoy your Cyber visit to our Museum, and leave with some knowledge of our town's past. We invite you to stop by whenever you are in Martinez. We are open Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm and the first four Sundays of each month from 1pm - 4pm. Admission is free.
http://www.martinezhistory.org/

Mills College Art Museum
5000 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94613
510-430-2164
The Mills College Art Museum, founded in 1925, is a dynamic center for art that focuses on the creative work of women as artists and curators. The museum strives to engage and inspire the diverse and distinctive cultures of the Bay Area by presenting innovative exhibitions by emerging and established national and international artists. Exhibitions are designed to challenge and invite reflection upon the profound complexities of contemporary culture.
http://mcam.mills.edu/

Museum of Children's Art
538 Ninth Street, Suite 210
Oakland, CA 94607
510-465-8770
MOCHA provides hands-on arts learning experiences for children and their families in our museum, in schools and preschools, and in public venues. MOCHA also prepares educators to teach art and integrate arts learning across academic subject areas. As well, we advocate for the arts as an essential part of a strong, vital and diverse community. We emphasize outreach to children in low-income communities that do not typically have wide access to the arts.
http://mocha.org/

Museum of Local History
190 Anza Street,
Fremont, California
The Museum of Local History is located at 190 Anza Street, Fremont, California.  It is a non-profit all volunteer group of people dedicated to researching and preserving the diverse history of Washington Township (Today the cities of Fremont, Union City and Newark).  This web site is an introduction to the content and capabilities of the museum and a welcome for you to visit us when you're in the area.
http://www.museumoflocalhistory.org/

Museum on Main
603 Main Street,
Pleasanton, CA 94566
925.462.2766
ALVHS continues to expand its place in the community and to develop meaningful programs that help residents and guests interpret their past.
http://www.museumonmain.org/

Museum of the San Ramon Valley
Corner Railroad and Prospect Avenues, Downtown Danville, CA
925-837-3750 
The Museum welcomes gifts of photos, artifacts, books and archival materials that relate to the history and culture of the San Ramon Valley. It is the responsibility of the Museum Curator to receive, catalog and retain such non-monetary materials for use in Museum exhibits, and for the benefit of current and future researchers.
http://www.museumsrv.org/

Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum
37417 Niles Boulevard,
Fremont, California 94536
510-494-1411
http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/

Oakland Aviation Museum
8252 Earhart Road Bldg. 621 PO Box 2248
Oakland, CA 94621
510-638-7100
The Oakland Aviation Museum was founded in 1981 as a non-profit organization under IRS Code 501 C (3) under the name of Western Aerospace Museum. The museum's first home was a small room at Hangar 5 at Oakland International Airport's historic North Field.  In 1988, the Museum was granted use of the historic Boeing School of Aeronautics hangar built in 1939. 　 The hangar serves as the primary facility of the Museum, providing indoor and outdoor exhibition space, an education room, a History Flicks room, a research library and aircraft restoration work areas.  In 2007, Western Aerospace Museum was renamed Oakland Aviation Museum with the historical mission refocused on the important legacy of flight at North Field and the surrounding area. We are proud to be a continued partner with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport in preserving and presenting the East Bay's history of flight.
http://www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org/

Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St.
Oakland, CA 94607
510-238-2200
The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) brings together collections of art, history and natural science under one roof to tell the extraordinary stories of California and its people. OMCA connects collections and programs across disciplines, advancing an integrated, multilayered understanding of this ever-evolving state. With more than 1.8 million objects, OMCA is a leading cultural institution of the Bay Area and a resource for the research and understanding of California's dynamic cultural and environmental heritage.
http://museumca.org/

Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology
Kroeber Hall on Bancroft Way, College Avenue on the campus of the University of California in Berkeley
510-643-7649 
Today, the Hearst houses the oldest and largest anthropological collection in the Western U.S., preserving and interpreting a global record of material culture as represented by more than 3.8 million catalogued objects. The Museum aims to promote the history and diversity of human cultures through research, education, exhibitions, and public programs. FROM: http://hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu/

Richmond Museum of History
400 Nevin Avenue
Richmond, California
510-235-7387 
Our Mission is to promote and encourage the study and research of Richmond's history (including the greater Richmond area) and to disseminate knowledge of that history; to collect, preserve and display historical materials and artifacts of significance to Richmond, and to mark, preserve, and maintain places of historical interest.
http://www.richmondmuseumofhistory.org/

San Leandro History Museum & Art Gallery
320 W Estudillo Ave
San Leandro, CA 94577-3608
510-577-3990
The San Leandro History Museum shares the story of our community from the time of the original inhabitants to the present through interpretive exhibits, photographs, personal recollections and hands-on materials. School tours are offered to 3rd & 4th grades. Special programs have been developed to allow children to explore the origins of San Leandro and the mission and rancho periods of San Leandro history. The San Leandro Art Gallery provides exhibition space for local artists and the community to come together to share and experience the talent, vision and culture of today’s local art through continuously changing shows.
http://www.sanleandro.org/

Takara Sake Museum
708 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
510-540-8250
The Museum features items and displays of interest to both experts and the general public. It includes an exhibit of the historical sake-making process, sake artifacts and implements collected by Takara Sake USA, and a history of sake-making in America. The collection is the only one of its kind in the U.S.A.
http://www.takarasake.com/

Union City Historical Museum
3841 Smith St.
Union City, CA 94587 
510-378-6376 
The Union City Historical Museum, founded by Myrla Raymundo, MBA,  is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to recording and preserving the history of Union City, CA. The organizations primary goals are to: Record an oral history from people living in the community, Identify and encourage preservation of historical buildings, Maintain a museum containing artifacts, historical documents, and historical books.
http://www.unioncitymuseum.com/

University of California Museum of Paleontology
1101 Valley Life Sciences Building
University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-4780
510-642-1821
The UCMP is primarily a research museum and thus our collections are only open to the public during our annual open house on Cal Day. However, we do have a limited number of fossil exhibits on display outside of the collection, including a magnificent Tyrannosaurus rex mount and some other dinosaur fossils. These can be viewed, free of charge, any time the Valley Life Sciences Building is open.
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/

USS Hornet Museum
707 W Hornet Ave
Alameda CA 94501
510-521-8448
The Aircraft Carrier USS HORNET Museum is a national treasure, having participated in two of the greatest events of the 20th century -- World War II and the Apollo 11 manned space mission. Now peacefully moored at historic Alameda Point on San Francisco Bay, the USS HORNET is a timeless memorial to those who defended our American values and to those who have pursued America's technological advancements.
http://www.uss-hornet.org/

USS Potomac (AG-25)
540 Water Street Oakland, CA 94607
510-627-1215
The “Floating White House” was originally commissioned the USCG Cutter Electra in 1934.  In 1936 it was renamed the USS Potomac and served as Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Presidential Yacht until his death in 1945. More than a quarter of a million people have visited and sailed aboard the former President’s beloved "Floating White House," the USS Potomac, since it opened to the public in the summer of 1995. $5 million was spent over a 12-year period to restore the 165-foot-long vessel as a memorial to the president who authored the New Deal and led the United States during the Great Depression and the World War II years. Join us aboard this National Historic Landmark for a cruise on the Bay.
http://www.usspotomac.org/