Good museum and art center with added California perspective…read more This museum is a hidden gem it would be a gem in any community. The selections are gems of the first waters. Unique and representative of local communities who have been here for hundreds of years. Please make N effort to visit when you are in the area. Metta john

I was greeted with a hostile attitude by the woman who staffed the reception area as though she…read moreresented my entrance. After asking about tours, I was abruptly told that there would be none that day as they had an "event" that evening docents were preparing for. I asked about opportunities the following day and she dismissed the question as one of insensitivity by responding " my volunteers are all over the age of 50 and not knocking down my door to volunteer after an event!" As one of the few attractions in Ukiah, it would benefit the organization to have more welcoming and informative personnel- when I came home later that day and looked up their website, I realized the "event" was their annual gala - which is all she had to tell me and I would have completely understood the "all hands on deck" commitment something like this requires. Bad form and bad protocol...this woman is not suited for a position of hospitality.

This is a wonderful museum where you can actually touch the exhibits. There are tons of old…read morephotos, farming tools, and clothing. Do yourself a favor and make time for a visit. Since it is run by volunteer docents the hours are extremely limited. It is the best community museum I have ever visited.

From the owner: Preserve and display valley historyread more

Stopped here on a rainy day and we had a great time. Very informative and larger than we…read moreanticipated. It was a great experience and taught everyone the interesting history of Mendocino County.

Fun little museum about the old and recent history of Mendocino County. Surprisingly interesting…read morefor people of all ages.

We did a two hour tour with Jane and loved every minute of it. Jane was a delight. She was full of…read moreinteresting facts but did not overwhelm us with it. Just the right amount. Very well spent $20. As for the Kelley house goes, what I did see was nice . Well kept. Do the tour with Jane . You will be glad you did .

I am very impressed by how this historical society is preserving and presenting History. Joann was…read morevery welcoming, and gave fascinating tidbits, but she also stepped back and let us enjoy the house at our own leisure. I'm obsessed with the wallpaper. They also have a research center and local children contribute to the museum. Dog friendly, and I appreciated that they offer water right when you walk in.

What a wonderful place to learn the history of the area! Right near the skunk train so if you are…read morehere for that and lucky enough to be here when this place is open come in and check it out. The grounds and the flowers are beautiful. They also have a huge log slice out in the garden area for you to take a picture, to show you how big those massive trees used to be. The home has been very well preserved and they have rooms filled with artifacts from the area as well as pictures and stories. If you're just walking down Main Street and doing some shopping and you see the sign is open walk up the walkway. You won't be disappointed and it's free.

Very happy with my latest experience visiting the Guest House Museum. My fiancé and I visited this…read moreafternoon today and were welcomed in by John. He was kind and very knowledgeable. We learned some of the history of the guest house and how it was originally built as the official residence for the Union Lumber Company (formerly knows as the Fort Bragg Lumber Company). I really appreciate the knowledge John shared with us. The Guest House Museum is run by volunteers, there is no entree fee but they do accept donations. Inside you can also purchase postcards, pins, magnets, books, and more. There is lots to see at this museum. I highly recommend stopping by and seeing this amazing piece of history.

Unfortunately, I wanted to share feedback from a recent visit to the NOYO Center for Marine Science…read moreduring our trip to FB. After seeing a post on Instagram, we were excited to visit and planned our afternoon around arriving at 2:30 p.m. on a Friday. Although the posted hours were 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., we found the Center closed with a sign indicating it would reopen at 3:10 p.m. We waited, ordering a smoothie at a nearby shop and returned shortly after reopening. Upon entering, I noticed the "No food or drinks" sign. Wanting to respect that policy, I asked the staff member at the front desk if there was a trash can where I could dispose of my smoothie cup. Rather than directing me to a nearby receptacle, she instructed me to use a public trash can outside and then began lecturing me about single-use plastics after noticing my disposable cup. The interaction was abrupt, unsolicited, and delivered in a tone that felt dismissive rather than welcoming. After locating a public trash can several storefronts away, I returned hoping to put the interaction behind us. While we were browsing the front area, the same staff member went outside to address a family near the entrance. From inside the Center, her tone and gestures appeared more like a reprimand than a courteous request, creating an atmosphere that felt unwelcoming. When I approached the desk to purchase admission, I mentioned that I work for a large land conservation organization that restores habitats, builds trails, protects open space, and supports sustainable agriculture. I told her, "We're on the same team." I shared that not because I expected different treatment, but because it underscored an important point: every visitor deserves to be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of their background or profession. Staff members are often the public face of an organization's mission, and the way they interact with visitors directly influences how that mission is perceived. This experience did not diminish our support for marine conservation or the important work your organization does. However, it did leave us with a negative impression of the Center and, unfortunately, reflected poorly on the organization as a whole. I hope this feedback is received in the constructive spirit in which it is intended, as I believe a welcoming visitor experience is essential to building lasting public support for your mission.

Such a cool little center! The lady working was such a pleasure to talk to. She told us about the…read moreHobbs whale and the skeleton they've been working on for 2 years. $5 admission is worth it, it goes towards kids programs! It is a small exhibit but still worth the $5 to see cool skulls, pelts, baleen teeth, and more! Also they have great gift options.

I didn't know what to expect here. Was here during the middle of the week and went into the park…read morelocated in the center of town. It used to be the county courthouse they reconverted into a museum. Authentic display of geologic, indigenous cultures, early settlers, and post war era artifacts that you see up close. $2..donate.. then ask them a lot of hard questions like.. where were some of the settlements? Why are there women's saddles but no men kinds? Get a hotdog in the park.

I have volunteered at the Lake County Courthouse Museum for several years and witnessed its…read moreevolution. The museum has grown to be a wonderful repository for local artifacts as well as a perfect venue for community events. The space is accommodating for meetings, social gatherings. I even staged a murder mystery dinner there recently. A great place for any special occasion.

I had a good, quiet time in this small museum. You could easily do the museum and shop in 10mins,…read morebut if you love history and science, you can be there a whole hour or more watching the videos and starring at the sea glass. It's got an old business feel, and I appreciated it. You can tell the captain puts in a lot of effort to keep the shop original. The captain stayed after hours to allow me to take my time. Thank was sweet!

Great if you're interested in sea glass and all the different types. Lots of beautiful colors and…read morewhat makes them those colors. The museum is run by the all time expert on sea glass. According to the signs posted, they need donations to keep the museum free. The suggested donation for the museum is $2 for adults and $1 for students and seniors, a small price to pay for this interesting place.

This may be the most important museum in Fort Bragg. Truly an inspirational place! The window…read moredisplay caught my eye. The museum documents the life's work of the enigmatic Larry Spring who mixes science and fiction with his own broad strokes. There are events that happen here too. I've heard of puppet shows and concerts, fairs, and movie screenings. Could this be ground zero for the burgeoning art scene of Fort Bragg?

Ok so I admit that the "school" was closed when I happened upon it walking around Fort Bragg BUT…read morethe display and items described in the windows were just SO FASCINATING. I was a little disappointed that larry wasn't around (hey, it was NYE so I'm sure he was busy) but perusing the website elicited the fact that his various contraptions and the things I saw at his shop were in fact, for sale. And not very cheap either. I especially liked the fact that he had a declaration in one of his descriptions about how he doesn't have peer reviews of any of his new discoveries because that would be contradictory to a new discovery (how can anyone who has never seen it before [aka a "peer"] review something?). ok, the dude seems a little kooky but I like that he set up shop and that he had all the wherewithal to make all his declarations. It adds to the charm of Fort Bragg I'd say.

Ford House Visitor Center in Mendocino is a fantastic stop in town, set inside a beautiful historic…read more1854 home with a lot of character. It immediately feels special just walking in. Inside, there's a great mix of exhibits and local history, from a detailed scale model of Mendocino as it looked in 1890, to displays on early logging, native plants, and coastal wildlife. They also have helpful maps, brochures, and friendly staff who really know the area and share great insights. A perfect place to get oriented, learn the history, and appreciate the roots of Mendocino before heading out to explore the coast.

This is a small house on the Mendocino coast. California poppies line the pathway leading up to the…read moreentrance. This is also some kind of plant museum. I love love loved the display that identified the local flora. There were banana slug magnets and stickers and plushies. They are only open 11 AM to 4 PM every day. I recommend stopping by to take a look inside. There is information about hikes and trails. The public restrooms are to the left of the Ford House. There are water fountains and a water bowl for pets.