It was pretty nostalgic coming here with my kids. I lived in Merced for a few years as a kid during the first Desert Storm War back when this was Castle Air Force Base and they were flying b-52 bombers over Merced everyday that would shake the windows of my house. We were driving up the 99 from Fresno to Manteca and I thought it would be a fun detour for my kids to see. They were pretty pumped to see the SR-71 Blackbird and one of the old old Air Force Ones. I wish there would have been more planes available on public display without having to pay to get into the museum since we were there after hours and couldn't see any of the other ones except for through a chain link fence. Still a pretty cool experience though and worth the short detour. read more

As a life member and over 45 year supporter I will say this; I was embarrassed by the state of the grounds at the outside exhibit yesterday. Lots of overgrown weeds up and around the airplane displays. The walkways need tending too as well. The condition of the planes has deteriorated a bit as well. As an airplane lover I would never say don't go. The history there is considerable. The docent volunteers are devoted folks from the area and a lovable bunch at that. But present management of the overall grounds, buildings and to some degree the planes themselves REALLY needs to be addressed. I took the former chairman of the museum board with me and he was shocked at the way it looked. Come on folks. Get it together raise some funds what ever and let it shine as one of the greatest air museums on the west coast. read more

I'm grading a little hard simply because this place needs more love - but read on, because I'm going to suggest going anyway. First the bad. Many of the aircraft obviously need restoration, with issues like rust and taped-over cockpits. The ability to see into the cockpits is offered only twice a year, and presidential plane tours (extra fee) are available only on weekends. Walkways can be a little rough in spots. The biggest omission IMO is insufficient and inconsistent information about the aircraft. However, there are many different aircraft, from WWII to still-in-service models, even a drone. The indoor museum has a lot of different items - uniforms, radio equipment, a mock cockpit, and more, including a nice and informative tribute area to General Castle. Gift shop has a lot of apparel to choose from, along with other items. One genuine plus is the little cafe. We had an excellent turkey sandwich on the lunch special, which includes a side and was big enough to share. As good as any sandwich shop we've ever been at. And in terms of the need for more love, I give credit to the people who maintain this place. It receives no government support, so it's all done with donations and volunteer time. That makes it difficult to keep everything in great shape, I'm sure, so credit to them for doing their best! It's a fun exhibit. Go, even with the flaws. read more

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Very nice Staff, the tour inside of Air Force ONE it was amazing. All the airplanes in very good conditions, my favorite Black Bird read more

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Absolutely fantastic place to visit! When you drive up you're greeted with an SR-71 - fastest plane in existence. Pay for tickets in the gift shop and walk around outside to your hearts content. There were 80 (I think) planes to wander around - all with info signs. We did the $10 extra VC-9 tour and it was fantastic. Got to see a former Air Force One for Carter and Reagan. It was super informative and exciting to be in such history. read more

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After passing the signs for the Castle Air Museum every trip to Sacramento my son and I finally decided to plan a trip. We had a great time! 80 aircraft over 25 acres. There was a little of everything It was a bit much walking for my son but the periodic benches helped although I can't imagine visiting in the summer heat. The absolute highlight for me was the SR 71 and the Tomcat. So many aircraft to see. The little museum had a lot of memorabilia but felt like more of an after thought. It would've been nice for the entrance fee to already include the tour of Air Force One but maybe next time if we visit again. I've heard there is an Open Cockpit Day. That might be worth the drive. read more

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This is an amazing air museum. There are 70+ aircraft on display, including many types that are exceedingly rare, like the massive Convair B-36 Peacemaker. The major 4-engine US bombers from World War II are all represented, along with aircraft representing the evolution of US air power through the Cold War and beyond. It's a great visit any time, but twice a year on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, they have "Open Cockpit Days", when the canopies and doors of many of the aircraft are opened and you can look inside, and even climb into some of the larger aircraft. Veterans who flew those models of planes come and volunteer to talk to visitors and show them the planes. Not to be missed! To set expectations: some of these aircraft are over EIGHTY years old, and they are displayed outside. It is a constant battle for the museum's staff to keep them preserved. For example, as I write this, most of the paint has been sanded off of the B-52 so that it can be repainted. These are the realities of an outdoor museum. Once you see the scale of these planes and the size of the collection, you'll understand why they're not under cover. In my opinion, the condition of the planes does not detract significantly from the educational value of the museum. One nice addition that the museum has made recently is that they have placed QR codes at each aircraft. This lets you get more information about the planes by just scanning the codes. They've had trouble with printed information not holding up to exposure, so I think this is a great solution. read more

Come fly with me ... What a great experience visiting Castle Air Museum. It's walking through history! The museum features aircraft from numerous decades, and these wartime birds have been lovingly restored to their original condition. The B52 is ginormous, but the B36... just wow! The titanium fighter jet that is probably displayed in the front of the museum near Air Force II, it's just astounding! If you ever thought about being a pilot, when you were a kid, walking through the Airpark, will bring back those memories. Parking is free, and admission is a few dollars, and the spending time looking at the collection of around 90 different airplanes is worth exploring! It's a great place to take your kids, the family, or even go on your own. You can take your time and read all of the historical plates and admire each one of the displays. It definitely is a lovely way to spend the afternoon! read more

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Amazing museum! 70 to 80 planes outside. Lots of variety! Some you wonder how they flew! We took the tour of one of the retired Air Force One's. Nancy Reagan used it the most. So cool to see all of this. It was a hot day so we had to take breaks and drink water. They have a bench and very nice shade tree to do that. We'll be back again. read more

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Way too expensive! $25 admission to see rusted old planes? I remember going as a kid and I would love to take my daughter there but not at that price. They would have a lot more visitors if the admission cost was more reasonable. Whoever is running the museum is out of their mind charging that much, especially considering the fact that it's in the middle of a low income area. Most families can't afford to take their kids there. I always wondered why it isn't a local school field trip destination. Looking at the prices of admission though, I can see why. read more

It's a beautiful place to visit for the entire family! We're so blessed to have this so close to home read more

Castle Air Museum - me and my mother enjoying the day at Castle air base - Museums Near Me - Atwater, California

We took a trip to Atwater, CA to visit the Castle Air Museum and it was a great experience! If you love planes, history, or USAF then this is the place for you. There are many planes outside to see, an indoor exhibit and a guided tour of Presidential Aircraft VC-9C. Presidents Reagan & Clinton flew on it, along with many Vice Presidents and First Ladies. Fun for the whole family! read more

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We stopped in here to see the Air Force One plane they had on display. Turns out it was a super windy day while we were visiting so we opted just to see the one plane and we're charged $10 each to go through with a moderator who was awesome and answers all our questions and had some great stories! Full of information and history it was pretty cool. They have so many other planes to see here and for $20 you can view them all the Air Force One still is an add on if your visiting the museum so it's still $10 extra. Worked out for us since we didn't have that much time and with the wind and having visited before already this worked out nice. Definitely would be a place you need to spend some time at to see everything. read more

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I use to visit a friend here when it was Castle Air Force Base, so I'm reminded of great memories when I visit the Castle Air Museum! It's a must see for anyone interested in aviation! Today I went for Open Cockpit Day and it absolutely did NOT disappoint! I'll have a YouTube video on my experience if you'd like to see more! https://youtube.com/@TripItUp Go visit the Castle Air Museum!!! read more

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Went here last Sunday morning. It was foggy and we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. The yard is giant and there are so many more aircraft than I expected. They have a lot of planes I had never heard of before (I consider myself relatively informed for a civilian). My top picks, F 18 Blue Angel, trainer used as MiG in Top Gun, B 52, SR 71 and the Presidential plane. Joe (I think he is CEO of the museum) gave us a tour of the Presidential plane. My buddy and I had a long questions and he was very friendly and knowledgeable. It will be great when they get the hangar built and can preserve some of these gems. I will definitely be back. read more

Woo hoo! An outside museum! It's 100 degrees, but so what?!?! There were no other visitors at 2 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon. That's a plus! I'm not a plane fanatic as my man, but it was still fascinating to look at and learn about different kinds of planes. There were planes from WWII, Korean War, and other military aircraft. You've gotta be a badass to fly one of those! The presidential aircraft was even there! Too bad we couldn't go inside when we were there. There was a gentleman who kindly gave us a tour of C-130 Hercules. I don't remember his story, but he flew it years ago. It's a cargo transport aircraft and it was HUGE. He showed us different parts of the plane while my sweat profusely dripped from my forehead. The kids' favorite part? Running through the sprinklers! I hope it wasn't recycled water!!! I'm glad there wasn't any other kids around or other people. I had to run through them too, after all all, it was 100 degrees outside. I noticed from the website they have fun events. You have to check it out if you wanna know what those are! There were a lot of interesting one like Fall Cockpit Day and Wine and Beer Festival. I wonder if events are still going on due to COVID. Better check first before you head out there! read more

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One of the better and bigger airplane museums. We flew in to the airport and got dropped off by the FBO. The indoor portion was fairly small and not too interesting. The materials were older and we skipped pretty quickly. The outdoor display was great. It has many large airplanes from WWII to relatively modern. We came on a windy day so all airplanes were closed and we couldnt walk up the ramps. Having that said, we can get really close to the airplane and touch most of them. I wish more people can visit and learn about the amazing machines. Hopefully they can raise enough money to put some airplanes indoors. read more

The Castle Air Museum is impressive with its huge collection of pristine military jets, planes, helicopters, and base history. There's even a decommissioned nuke on display. My family and I came here specifically for the SR-71, and we would have been satisfied just seeing that plane and going home, LOL. We had no idea the museum had Air Force One, F-4, F-14, F-15, F-16, F-18, WWII planes, transport planes, massive B-52, missiles and bombs. So when we saw those jet planes all in one place, it was a very pleasant surprise. The place is huge. Bring comfy shoes, water, and a hat. Would recommend paying the Air Force One fee to tour the plane. The tour guide was knowledgeable on the history of the plane as well as the base. Definitely check out Castle Air Museum, and fully immerse yourself in the most awesome jets in history. read more

Castle Air Museum - SR-71 - Museums Near Me - Atwater, California

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Lots of aircraft to see here! Wear comfortable shoes and enjoy a nice stroll around the grounds to view 72+ planes and other items. All the displays have nice signs with descriptions. At the Visitor Center you can also scan a code with your phone for a map with info about the planes too. Behind the Visitor Center is an indoor museum with many interesting displays and simulators. The Presidential Transport Plane is only open for tours on Saturdays, so we didn't get to see inside. read more

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Testament & Tribute To Our Military Supremacy In Air SITREP - "OPEN COCKPIT DAY!" Along with buddies Jeff R. and Rich K., we trekked Labor Day to get informed about our military aviation history. It's not long (only one century), but going to Castle Air Museum (ie. "Castle") - was an eye opener that all of us who love aviation can take pride in. THE SETUP "I feel the NEED, the NEED for SPEED!" *high five* Castle (located in sleepy town of Atwater) has collected most models of U.S. Air Force aircraft: * From America's first operational jet fighter, Lockheed P-80; * To amazing General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (from Korean War through Desert Storm) * ALL aircraft operated in combat theatres. AIR FORCE ONE AND SR-71 "Blackbird" The jet I truly wanted to see was the SR-71 "Blackbird", and that was realized this day - buddies Jeff & Rich bookend rear of this ferocious mechanized beastie!) https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/castle-air-museum-atwater?select=mb8GnsTY9cQ4-rEn6bOoEg&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w But little did I know at time there would be another absolute "Special Guests"-treat: AIR FORCE ONE! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/castle-air-museum-atwater?select=T2pCzEgAAexQAxF1ok5bFw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w TANKERS, BOMBERS & FIGHTERS, OH MY! There was much more than reconnaissance aircraft or transport jets like the above: an ENTIRE retinue of important aircraft and their specialized functions were on hand: * From Bombers * To Tankers * To Amphibious Rescue * To Radar & Espionage Detection * And, of course, to our Fighters! All realms of combat & support wings were here to study, climb aboard, and marvel at as we traced OUR military aviation from WWI to current day. [Note: very few foreign aircraft are present.] And questions? Answered by stewards who themselves were retired military pilots, and FLEW these aircraft, SEVERAL of them the VERY aircraft we were climbing on top of! (The knowledge of the aircraft doesn't get any more personal than that!) https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/castle-air-museum-atwater?select=ceMy_3qAjPDY3q7Urh07xA&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w MILITARY HISTORY THAT IS TRULY EFF'ED UP At this point in time, the most truly remarkable & effed up military story I had ever heard was when at height of WWII - even as Battle of Stalingrad was raging between Nazi Germany & Soviet Russia (no fewer than 3 million people were slaughtered in conflict, making it most bloody battle in human history), Merchant Trains were STILL taking raw materials from Soviet Union and crossing border into Nazi Germany. In return, same trains carried back finished products - and even war materials - from Nazi Germany into Soviet Union. If EVER there was a parable about absolute sanctity of business superseding even war, THIS had to be it. However, maybe next story supplants that: at the very least it comes close. At the height of Cold War in early 60s, U.S. was developing the SR-71 "Blackbird" because we needed a reconnaissance spy-plane to advance beyond the U-2. U.S. pilot Gary Francis Powers had been shot down in his U-2 as it spyied on Soviet Union, and he was being held captive by Soviets. U.S. thought that U-2 could outrun and go higher than Soviet missiles, but we were dead wrong. "THE ROCKET JET" Enter now SR-71 (and can you believe it was not only the fastest jet in the 60s, but it STILL remains the fasted clocked-jet to this day). But to make it fly higher and faster than Soviet missiles, it had to be constructed of strong materials/metals that survive atmospheric HEATS impacting it past Mach 3 (three times faster than speed of sound). "THANK YOU, COMRADE!" Titanium was THE metal it needed to be constructed with. Yet supplies from allies like Brazil, South Africa & Australia were dreadfully underdeveloped. =Question: So where WAS the world's most consistent Titanium deposits located? =Answer: INSIDE THE SOVIET UNION (*oh dam*) =Action Item: Thus the C.I.A. & M.I.6. (British Intelligence) set up a series of international dummy corporations all throughout Europe - ostensibly for purposes of getting Titanium from Soviets for medical tech purposes & tools, to make Titanium hip joints, organ valves, welding tips, etc. I'm sure SOME Titanium made it for those worthy goals, but don't fool yourself: most went to create a fleet of "Blackbirds", like the one I was standing upon. [Curious: anyone have a moral quandary with this?] And speaking of hearts, I can tell you mine skipped a beat to be on this jet. :) https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/castle-air-museum-atwater?select=cZvd6GWz94vHBUw98vtTAg&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w [Honestly? I pet the Blackbird skin as affectionately as I do my own pocket-panthers Jack & Bobby.] :D FACILITIES Gift shop, restrooms, learning centers for kids - including training Cessna aircraft - all available! THE LOWDOWN A must-see experience for any aviation buff! read more

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Castle museum is my middle son's favorite museum. The additional tour for the presidential plane is definitely worth it. The museum is dog friendly, which is nice. As long as your pet is well-behaved and on a leash, they are welcome. read more

Truly the highlight of my summer was taking a trip to the Castle air museum. Some of the highlights was seeing a retired Air Force one plane and getting to park my car right along side an SR-71 Blackbird. The SR-71 was made with slide rules of all things. The Titanium used for the body was purchased from the Soviet Union during the cold war by a U.S. top secret front Co. There are so many really cool planes to see from the 40's all the way up to SST'S and even a B-52 bomber as well as bombs the size of big trucks. Over all it was a wunder full experience and I would recommend this place to everyone. read more

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Phenomenal efforts in preserving history. Came out and saw an amazing collection of planes. The docent was great. Loved hearing about history of the presidential aircarft and about the B52! read more

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Fun place to take the family. Open cockpit is great, twice a year. Enjoy when they have the car show. read more

Castle Air Museum - Museums Near Me - Atwater, California

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I was here in January 2021 and being a technical type felt very much like a kid in a candy store. It was cool to look at all of these marvelous products of American warmongering ingenuity and insanity and imagining the stories that each and every one of these historic aircraft could tell. It was also easy to imagine how incredibly LOUD it was there during its Cold War heyday which belied the overall tranquility of its current state. The park was well laid out and the docents were decent (unfortunately due to COVID the interior museum was closed), with plenty of space and grass and made for a pleasant walk. The weather conditions were very bad for photos so I didn't bother; it's often very foggy and hazy up there. It's in a semi-remote area so you're better-off bringing your own food, drink, etc. Current and former military bases are often harsh-looking, spartan and full of one-way streets and this one is no exception. Someone brought a mildly-annoying dog; to me museums are like libraries where it's better to be seen and not heard, so leave the pooch in the carrucha if you can. I'll be back when the interior exhibits are re-opened. read more

Top notch collection with over 70 planes with an emphasis on U.S. bombers. Although I wasn't expecting an extended discourse about each aircraft, most had nothing and the few that had information, the background was short. Just adding the service dates of the plane would help. After returning home, I jumped on Wikipedia and learned about the specific planes (not just the model of plane but the exact plane on display at Castle) which should have been covered at the museum. Check the weather before going and dress accordingly because all planes are outdoors and uncovered. We spent 90 minutes at the museum which could be longer if we were able to take the "Air Force One" tour or visit on the infrequent open cockpit day. read more

I have seen the signs for this place on the CA-99 Freeway for years, and as an aviation fan, have wanted to go. One day, I finally decided to see about making a weekend trip there. They have a small RV park there with full hookups, and it is all a part of the old Castle Air Force Base. We pulled in our RV on a Friday night and the lady who runs the place was incredibly sweet, and helped us get situated. Saturday, we went to the museum just after lunch and enjoyed walking among some of the most fascinating aircraft I have ever seen. The big bombers were a favorite of mine, but all the planes were really neat. There is a former Airforce One plane there, but not the big one. I recommend taking the tour. The docents really know their subject, and are great with kids. It was a fascinating tour and I learned a lot. Even my wife, who is not an aviation fan, really liked the Castle Air Museum and wants to go back someday. For me, that says it all. Please don't be afraid to go check this place out sometime, it is worth the trip and time. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Note: The indoor museum was closed due to Covid, but when it opens again we have an excuse to go back again. read more

Took my young grandson for his birthday. That's Become the tradition. For the past 5 years. And that's how we have started our Airplanecollection tradition, Staff were knowledgeablepatient and very helpful and friendly read more

If you're into planes, this museum is your haven. They have the biggest military airplane collection in the West coast. Including the DC-9 that was an Air Force One twice. They have outdoor museum where most of the planes are and an indoor museum (it was closed when we came due to COVID). They have 70+ planes for everyone to enjoy. We took the tour of the DC-9 that was used by Pres. Reagan and Pres. Clinton. This specific plane was mainly used by the First Ladies. They also have a gift shop that you can buy souvenirs from. Overall, we had a fantastic time. I highly recommend this place for all airplane or history fanatics. read more

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Castle Air Museum is a must if your a history buff or enjoy checking out old planes. It's great for a family to enjoy walking around the grounds. I'm amazed at the quantity of planes displayed. Twice a year they open the cockpits. So the public can check out the inside of the planes. My favorites to see where Air Force One that they acquired not long ago. Not many people can say they have been in Air Force One. No picture are allowed inside. Also the Lockheed Blackbird was on display. This is a Titanium Plane. It's interesting that this plane can travel over 2,000 miles per hour. The docents have a lot of great information to share. I'm so glad we came it was worth the drive to check out. We stayed about 3 hours and that was perfect for us. read more

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This is good museum many wonderful aircraft from many era. Unfortunately, many need restoring. The museum continues to acquire aircraft but really needs to get them indoors or at least covered. They have been working on this for years. They really need to get more help in money raising because this museum deserves more. The indoor portion of the museum is nice but needs help. Displays are not well thought out, missing explanations, and needs to look more professional. I enjoy visiting museums and in my youth volunteered with the 3rd Armored Division Museum in Frankfurt, Germany. All in all, it is a good museum that just really needs more support. So please come out and see this museum. read more

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Great place to take kids. Always clean and organized. The clerks are friendly. Prices are reasonable.

This is the third aircraft museum I've ever visited. There is one near Wright-Patt Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio that I visited as a child, and another near Fayetteville, Arkansas (think Walmart) that I visited back in June. This museum charged $10, which isn't expensive. The other museums I've visited house most of the aircraft indoors. It seemed as though these people have tried to cover the cockpit, so as to protect the interiors. They had a good variety of aircraft, though it seemed that they started out strong and labeled everything well, but faded further along the way. There is a pamphlet available for another $1.50 which explains the aircraft, though it could have used an easier way to pair the location with the description. read more

Castle Air Museum - Hours and admission prices - Museums Near Me - Atwater, California

This is a great place to go check out. They've got a lot of classic airplanes here. They also have some train hobbyists and a helicopter. Wow factor: they have a blackbird here and retired air force one from the Regan-Clinton era. Nancy Regan's choice aircraft. Tips: go early it gets hot. There is no shade or covering, it's all outdoor. Check their website for Open cockpit day. When they have open cockpit day, you can go see the inside of almost all the planes. They will also usually have a veteran or expert standing by ready to teach you everything you ever wanted to know about that aircraft. If the heat is too unbearable, head over to the indoor museum directly across from the gift shop. It is air conditioned and a great respite from the heat. Air Force One is a separate tour and costs about $15. It is worth it if you're willing to pay. read more

Fascinating place! Recommend the Air Force One tour! A hidden gem of our town. So many aircraft, it will blow your mind. Such history and is super fun. Recommend going on a cooler day as a lot of it is outside and can be hot, but you can spend hours here exploring. read more

Great selection of rare warbirds, if your in the area you need to visit and check it out.

Nice place to take the kids to explore. The education is the best one each plan. The rates are good too.

I love old and new airplanes. WWII, Korea, etc. Castle has a 70+ collection of planes to feast your eyes upon. You'll not be disappointed with what they have. My only regret is missing out on open cockpit day! read more

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Love the history here and all the cool old airplanes! Great to walk around if you haven't !

Great museum!! Very friendly staff. Lots of planes to see along with information. Would go back!!