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Rollercoasters are awesome and who doesn’t like frolicking at the beach, but family trips to California can bolster young minds too. Hands-on museums are huge, including San Francisco’s Exploratorium; the Tech Interactive in San Jose; MOXI, the Wolf Museum of Science + Exploration in Santa Barbara; and the Fleet Science Center in San Diego. The state’s zoos and aquariums are particularly adept at mixing flat-out fun with info-rich attractions and experiences that engage young minds. Also, junior ranger programs at many state and national parks can help kids learn about conservation.
19 Cool California Museums
Add these cultural treasure troves to your next trip
California Science Center
Let your curiosity roam free at this Los Angeles museum celebrating space travel, human biology, and the natural world
Gold Bug Park and Mine
Channel your inner prospector with a trip to this historic gold mine in Placerville
California Academy of Sciences
See three museums in one at this San Francisco institution in Golden Gate Park
MOXI Museum
This interactive science center in Santa Barbara is equally fun for kids and kids at heart
8 Family-Friendly Gold Rush Adventures
Take on whitewater rapids, pan for gold, and explore California history
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
See a treasure trove of artifacts and discover the magic of the movies at this incomparable film museum in Los Angeles
8 Family-Favorite Science Centers & Museums
Go where kids get an inside look at wildlife, space, and more
Travel Stories
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California Report: Here’s What’s New in 2022
Check out the most exciting openings and launches across the Golden State
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So You Think You Know California’s Urban Centers?
Even if you’ve visited these popular cities dozens of times, there are exciting new and hidden things to discover
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Hearst Castle
Once the home of William Randolph Hearst, this stunning hilltop estate along the Central Coast is a marvel of opulence and engineering
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Top Places for Whale Watching in California
See a few amazing wonders of the sea first-hand
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10 Amazing Coastal Preserves
Commune with California’s diverse marine life along the shores of the Pacific
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9 Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern Icons
A guide to Greater Palm Springs' retro-chic post-WWII buildings
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California's Top Performance Spaces
Striking, state-of-the-art venues for taking in world-class entertainment
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