Aviation

Aerospace Museum of California - McClellan CA The Museum was officially opened on September 1986. Located at Sacramento's former McClellan Air Force Base, California. In 2005 it changed it's name to the Aerospace Museum of California. Has about 40 airplanes, but the highlight of this museum are the docents that are part of the living history of the USA. Aerospace Museum of California
Castle Air Force Base - off Hwy 99 - great collection of airplanes, including a B36. Castle Air Museum is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, adjacent to Castle Airport. Driving time is approximately one hour from Fresno, two hours from Sacramento, and three hours from San Francisco. Take Highway 99 to the Buhach Road Exit. Proceed on Buhach Road to Santa Fe Avenue and turn left onto Santa Fe Avenue. The Museum entrance is approximately 100 yards on the right. Check website for fees and days/hours of operation. Castle Air Museum
Estrella Warbirds Museum - Paso Robles. Located off of US101 in Paso Robles, this museum features various planes, armament, military transport, exotic cars and missiles. Open Thursdays through Sunday and Mondays if it falls on a holiday. http://www.ewarbirds.org/
Hiller Aviation Museum - San Carlos Hiller Aviation Museum highlights the many historic advancements native to Northern California, and show how technologies resident here today will shape the future of air transportation.http://www.hiller.org/
Moffett Field Museum - Mountain View http://www.moffettfieldmuseum.org/
NASA - Ames Moffett Field - NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., announces the opening of the Mars Center, timed to coincide with NASA's Mars Exploration Rover landings on Mars in January 2004. The Mars Center is now open and will remain open through June 2004. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/home/index.html
Pacific Coast Air Museum - Santa Rosa The Pacific Coast Air Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the acquisition, restoration, safe operation and display of historical aircraft and provides an educational venue for students and the community. We also intend to honor those heroic aviators who have contributed so much to the growth and defense of our way of life. (http://www.pacificcoastairmuseum.org/)
Wings of History - San Martin The Wings Of History organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of antique and unique aircraft as well as other aviation artifacts. (http://www.wingsofhistory.org/)

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Space & Astronomy

Chabot Space and Science Center - At Chabot Space & Science Center, the universe is yours to experience. Set amid 13 trail-laced acres of East Bay parkland, with glorious views of San Francisco Bay and the Oakland foothills, Chabot is a hands-on celebration of sights, sounds, and sensations. Chabot has serveral scout programs for cubs, girl scouts and boy scouts. Scout Programs Chabot Space Museum
Lick Observatory is open to daytime visitors nearly every day of the year from 12:30 to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. The Observatory is closed to the public on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/public/pub_content.html
NASA Ames http://www.arc.nasa.gov/index.cfm?flash5=true NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., announces the opening of the Mars Center, timed to coincide with NASA's Mars Exploration Rover landings on Mars in January 2004.
The Mars Center will be open to the public on December 29 from Noon to 4 p.m. It will remain open through June 2004.
Foothill College Observatory Discover the Universe at Foothill College! A wide range of academic and public programs in astronomy are offered both during the day and in the evening. Foothill Observatory is open for public viewing every clear Friday evening from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Visitors can view the wonders of the universe through the observatory's 16-inch reflecting telescope and 6-inch refracting telescope. Views of objects in our solar system may include craters and mountains on the moon, the moons and cloud-bands of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, etc. The choice of targets for any evening's viewing depends on the season and what objects are currently in the sky. http://www.foothill.fhda.edu/ast/index.htm
Fremont Peak SP The park also features an astronomical observatory with a 30-inch telescope, which is open for public programs on selected evenings. Observatory Programs April through October on moonless Saturday evenings starting at 8:00pm. http://www.fpoa.net/

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=564
Hall's Valley Astronomy Group, Joseph Grant Santa Clara County Park Since 1995, the HVAG has conducted a summer starparty series at the Halley Hill Observatory. The park campground is often filled to capacity for some or all of these events and turn-out has been excellent. Subscribe to get updates on their "Star Parties" http://www.hallsvalley.org/starparties. http://www.hallsvalley.org/

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Autos

Blackhawk Automotive Museum - Danville The Museum presents the automobile as individual works of fine art and there is nothing on the black granite floors or against the black textured walls to detract from the flowing beauty of our 90–car exhibition. This ever–changing assemblage of automobiles has been selected for their intrinsic value and their artistic qualities, and each Automotive Treasure stands on its own merit. The Museum and its facilities are totally wheelchair–accessible, and the hours of operation are Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For GROUP TOUR information, please call 925.736.2277, ext. 236. http://www.blackhawkmuseum.org/
The Hays Antique Truck Museum was located in Woodland, but has been moved to Reno to be near the National Auto Musem (see below) A new facility is being built so the collection isn't available for viewing. No specific date for the new museum to be opened.
National Auto Museum Reno, NV You'll discover a century of automobiles: more than 220 antique, vintage, classic, special interest and one-of-a-kind wonders. http://www.automuseum.org/
Towe Auto Museum, Sacramento 2200 Front Street Sacramento, CA 95818; 916/442-6802 Opens 7 days a week from 10AM to 6PM. Admission is adults $7, HS students $3 and grade school students $2. Call for group rates. http://www.toweautomuseum.org/index.html

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Ships & Naval

Hyde Street Pier The pier area has several historic ships as well as the Maritime Museum. The pier is open daily, year-round, 9:30am-5pm (October 2-May 30) and 9:30-5:30pm (Memorial Day-October 1). Pier free; boarding pass for historic vessels: $5 adults, supervised children under 17 free. The museum has free admission. NPS Hyde Street Pier

Historic vessels located at Hyde Street Pier:

1886 square-rigger Balclutha
1895 schooner C.A. Thayer
1890 steam ferryboat Eureka
1891 scow schooner Alma
1907 steam tug Hercules
1914 paddlewheel tug Eppleton Hall

1890 (circa) San Francisco Bay Ark

1915 Steam Schooner Wapama

USS Hornet - The aircraft carrier USS Hornet 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 when the first humans in the history of mankind set foot upon the moon. Exhibits include Apollo capsule, aircraft of all types and a flight simulator. Tour the carrier from below decks to the flight deck to the helm. Alameda USS Hornet website Stay overnight and they even have three merit badges you can earn. Scout Program
SS Jeremiah O’Brien San Francisco Restored WWII Liberty Ship. Engines can be observed in operation on steaming weekend. Pier 45, Fisherman's Wharf. 441-3101 http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/
USS Pampanito San Francisco USS Pampanito (SS-383) is a World War II Balao class Fleet submarine museum and memorial that is open for visitors daily at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Overnight educational stays are available for all organized groups (schools, scouts, YMCA, etc.) which meet certain insurance requirements. http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm
USS Potomac, Jack London Square Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Floating White House" is now a National Historic Landmark and floating museum. Port of Oakland, FDR Pier (510)837-8256 http://www.usspotomac.org/
PTF-26 Osprey Fast Patrol Boat, Rio Vista PTF-26, "Liberty", was the last PTF built. PTFs, Fast Patrol Boats or Swift Boats, were the Vietnam War version of the famous WW II PT Boats.
PTF-26 Liberty Fast Boat

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Trains

California State Railroad Museum Sacramento Located in Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum is a complex of historic facilities and unique attractions. Widely regarded as one of North America’s finest and most visited railroad museums, there is something here for everyone! https://www.californiarailroad.museum/
Nevada Northern Railway East Ely, Nevada 89315 The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is one of the few places in the world where you can get your hands on the throttle of either a steam or diesel locomotive. And what makes the Nevada Northern truly unique is the very rare opportunity to take the locomotive out onto the mainline! http://www.nevadanorthernrailway.net/
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park - Jamestown. Located in Jamestown, California, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is home to one of America’s last authentic, operating railroad roundhouses. Every Saturday and Sunday, April through October, ride behind an authentic steam locomotive on a train trip through California's scenic Gold Country! Trains depart from the Railtown Depot on-the-hour 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Railtown 1897 SHP
Roaring Camp, Felton See California's towering redwood forests from two historic railroads on your next visit to the San Francisco or Monterey Bay Areas. Travel by steam train up a narrow-gauge track through the Big Trees to Bear Mountain or by beach train down the scenic San Lorenzo River to the sunny beaches of Santa Cruz. It all happens on the Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton. http://www.roaringcamp.com/
Niles Canyon Railways The Pacific Locomotive Association, Inc. operates the Niles Canyon Railway as a living history museum interpreting the importance of our heritage railroads in the development of California and the nation. Trains depart from downtown SUNOL For One-Hour Round-Trip Scenic Rides Niles Canyon RR
Western Pacific Railroad Museum - The Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola is home to North America's largest and most complete collection dedicated to telling the story of one railroad. It is also one of the few places where you can experience rail history in a truly "hands-on" way. Our World Famous "Run-A-Locomotive" program allows you, our visiting public, to rent a vintage diesel locomotive and operate it on the museum grounds, under the close supervision of your own private instructor. Wester Pacific RR Museum
The Skunk Train, Fort Bragg You will travel from our depot in Fort Bragg to the Northspur station. Your trip will begin by crossing California State Highway 1 and then running along Pudding Creek. The train cuts through the beautiful redwoods along the entire route. You will pass over bridges and trestles with water running under them and through a 1,100 foot tunnel. You will even see a 1,000 year old redwood! http://www.skunktrain.com/

Military Vehicle Technology Foundation

This museum is closed and vehicles were sold to another museum.

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Last modified June 9, 2020