Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:1000 Oak St.
Oakland, California
The Oakland Museum of California is an architectural masterpiece. Since 1969, the museum's collections and exhibitions have opened up a world of understanding and interest into California's environment, history, people, culture, and art. A graceful three-tired blend of spacious galleries, patios, sculptures, gardens, and numerous ponds encompass the museum grounds and characterize the richness and beauty of California.
The Oakland Museum of California is home to three floors of exhibits on California's natural wonders, events, eras, and people who have shaped its future. You will also find the art which Californians have been producing since explores first travelled into the Yosemite Valley. The "Art and History of Early California" exhibit explores the story of the First Peoples through the Gold Rush, with a display of art and artifacts.
The museum holds a few temporary exhibits which change a few times a year. You'll find exhibits such as Trading Traditions: California's New Cultures which characterizes the diversity of California with photos, artifacts, and sounds. The Artists of Invention: A Century of CCA exhibit includes renegade plein-air painters known as the Society of Six, a real treat for art lovers.
Shop at the Museum Store for books, cards, crafts, jewelry, and calendars. Enjoy a meal overlooking the koi pond in the Museum Restaurant which serves a variety of sandwiches, salads, daily specials, homemade deserts, wine and beer.
To get to the Oakland Museum of California, take BART to Lake Merritt Station, exiting at 9th St. and head right. Go left at the end of the block on Fallon St which ends in front of the museum's 10th Street Entrance. If you're coming by car take the 980 South which will curve around east and become the 890. Exit at Oak St. and you'll see the museum on your right side in the park.
A day full of rich history and ethno-diversity awaits you in the Oakland Museum of California.
From Oakland Museum of California:
The Oakland Museum of California provides unique collections, exhibitions and educational opportunities designed to generate a broader and deeper understanding of and interest in California's environment, history, art and people. Museum programs are responsive, accessible and meaningful to the public, including school children, teachers, scholars, the immediate Oakland community, and an increasingly diverse California population.