Today, my focus was viewing the 2026 Hall of Fame exhibit, and the inductees were all awesome. The museum nicely recognized each inductee, and the exhibit is so nicely arranged on the first floor, next to the Gold Mountain exhibit. Some of the inductees include Jamie Lee Curtis, Carl Lewis, Arnld Swartzenegger, Julia Child, Terry McMillan, Tina Turner, Mitsuri Endo, Vicki Draves, and more. read more

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I've been to the California Museum a few times previously, but visited most recently to stamp the Ireichō, which was at the museum from February 14-19, 2026. My review is focusing on this specifically, due to the significance of the internment in my family's life. Information specific to the book / this event: The Ireichō is a book listing every person of Japanese ancestry incarcerated in the World War II camps. The Ireichō is currently making its way across various stops in the US, allowing family members and those that knew the incarcerated to stamp their loved ones names as a way to honor them and what they endured and their strength. After the tour, the book will be gifted to the Japanese American National Museum (in LA). The stamping of the Ireichō occurred inside the main entrance of the museum, and the museum graciously allowed those stamping the book to tour the rest of the museum. Museum staff and the staff hosting the event were very welcoming. The museum itself has both long-term and short-term exhibits, listed on their website. It's fitting that they currently have a temporary exhibit at this time called, "Kokoro: The Story of Sacramento's Lost Japantown", from December 20, 2025 to March 29, 2026. If you're interested in some of CA's history, it makes for a nice stop. It is Downtown Sac, so it's all paid street parking or lots in the vicinity. There is a lot right across the street. read more

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Spent the day in Sacramento and was thrilled to revisit this wonderful museum. I still remember the Día de los Muertos exhibit from years past, so I was excited to see this year's installation. The museum is dedicated to showcasing California's rich and diverse cultural history. The exhibits cover everything from the difficult experiences of Japanese and Chinese immigrants, to the legacy of the Black Panther Party, the feminist movement, and so much more. There's also an excellent learning center for children--thoughtful, engaging, and very well done. At the Día de los Muertos exhibit, my family and I each decorated a piece to place on the community ofrenda, which made the experience even more meaningful. The gift shop is also lovely, offering a well-curated variety of items. A must-visit if you're in Sacramento! read more

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I have been here a few times. Twice for a field trip. This latest one was the Uprooted exhibit. We had the privilege of speaking with a survivor of one of the incarceration camps. I've been here for a Yelp event awhile back. All of these experiences were nice. I loved how kind everyone is who works here. Everyone is also so knowledgeable and helpful. This place has a lot to offer. This California Museum welcomes all, raises awareness for an education, art and culture cause. I cannot wait to come back again. read more

The California Museum - Art - Museums Near Me - Sacramento, California

We visited the California Museum this past weekend, and enjoyed exploring the various exhibits on multiple floors, including displays showcasing how community affects our health, a section dedicated to the history of the California Indians, a beautiful tiled fountain from Sacramento's Alhambra Theatre, and an interactive exhibit in Unrooted where you can have conversations with Japanese Americans incarcerated in WW2 and ask them questions about their experiences before and after the war. From demonstrations of activism in the Unity Center to displays of decades of activists in the Women Inspire exhibition, there's plenty to educate and capture the attention of viewers. Even got to learn about the accomplishments of some of my faves, like Shonda Rhimes launching an initiative fighting sexual harrassment in the workplace, and connecting her passions to social issues integrated into her shows, such as Grey's Anatomy. The California Hall of Fame, with both displays on the wall and a digital screen option for viewing, features the photos and stories of inductees over the years, including Quincy Jones, Ronald Reagan, Willie Mays, Ansel Adams, Clint Eastwood, Maya Angelou, news anchor Lester Holt, as well as "Dr. Seuss." Unfortunately, some rooms/exhibits were unavailable or under construction during our recent visit. But there was still lots to learn about and appreciate throughout the museum, and the unique setups and interactive format made it more engaging. The gift shop has plenty to offer as well, including bunny bobblehead figurines :D read more

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A visit here was the highlight of our trip to Sacramento. I found it super interesting, fun, and inspiring. We were there first thing when they opened on a weekend, and we barely saw any other folks while we were there. Perfect, we got to take our time and enjoy the exhibits. read more

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First time coming here, and I stopped by during a break I loved all the artistic displays that they have. It is definitely a really beautiful peaceful time. We'll definitely have to come back. I think I did not get to see the full spectrum. read more

This review is for the Annual Dia De Los Muertos event held at the CA Museum from 6 pm to 10 pm. Entrance tickets ($12.51) were easily purchased online through EventBrite. Parking in the Lot 24 garage next to the CA Museum was equally smooth (and for a flat rate of $3 if arriving after 5 pm). It was a sold-out event... for good reason as it was jam-packed full of entertainment (Maquilli Tonatiuh Aztec Dancers, MAYA Band, Ballet Folkloric de Sacramento), art exhibits, food, and drinks. read more

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The first positive for the museum is that the admission cost is only $10 which is a great deal ! Two of the areas were closed off one was empty the other was with the traveling exhibit that was not set up yet. The most fun was the health area as it was the most interactive. The other areas were primarily just reading. I do wish there was more to it as it was very quick. If the traveling exhibits were open or something I enjoy I would consider coming back. read more

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Does it make me less of a Californian, or a bad Californian, that I didn't know there was a museum devoted to our state's history? In hindsight, it seems obvious that there would be one, especially in the state capital, but I have to admit that it never really registered in my head that there was one until we came here. What's more, our state has such a rich history, filled with so many important moments, cultures, and people, how could we not have a place to document it all and to teach visitors what helped California come to be what it is? All of which is to say, maybe I'm not a bad Californian, but perhaps kind of a dumb one instead... At a glance, the outside of the California Museum doesn't really look much like a museum. Rather, it blends in perfectly with its neighbors downtown, as it looks far more like an office building than anything else (we couldn't even see anyone inside other than the security worker when we first arrived). Once you buy your admission ticket at the gift shop and make your way upstairs, you're greeted immediately by exhibit after exhibit. For us, the first we walked through focused on various prominent women in California's history, dating back to before California's statehood and going all of the way up to modern day figures, like the late Diane Feinstein and Kamala Harris. In addition, the other exhibits included a homage to guitars/California's music scene, a focus on representation as a people, the history of Japanese internment camps in California, the impact of the Chinese community on multiple aspects of the state's history, Native Americans and tribes, and the California Hall of Fame. In all, the museum speaks to the history of California, but more through the eyes and experiences of its people. Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea, but I thought it was interesting, especially hearing the stories of the people who lived through it. There's even an interactive exhibit where you can pose questions and the pre-recorded responses from a handful of Japanese-Americans will play their respective answers. If there was a potential knock on the museum, it's that the exhibits don't show much in the way of what life was like at certain periods or how the state eventually came to be. What's more, while the museum does a good job of trying to account for many different groups, it still feels limited in the breadth of what it covers. Although, to be fair, given how large and diverse the state is, as well as how far back our history goes, I can only imagine how tough it must have been to curate so many different elements and fit them all into such a small and relatively young museum. All in all, while I can't say that the California Museum was the best museum I've ever been to, it's still pretty interesting and far from terrible. What's more, at less than $10 a ticket, it's not a bad way to spend a couple of hours, especially if you're looking to get away from those 100+ degree days in the summertime! FOUR AND A HALF STARS rounded down read more

The California museum doesn't truly reflect the essence of California. You can park on the street and pay the meter for however many hours you want. I would suggest maybe one hour is enough. The California Museum is small, only two floors. The cost is $12 on weekends. The second is mainly about women's history, and nothing about California. Maybe some people from CA like V.P. Kamra from CA... The first floor features a diverse mix. The content covers the history of California's Indigenous peoples, the experiences of Japanese immigrants, aspects of Asian history, scientific insights related to sports, and a brief overview of the Central Valley. Kind of disappointed. It should call the Women's Museum. read more

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Some of California's biggest stars and brightest minds came together tonight This year I had a chance to see some "stars" at the red carpet during 15th California Hall of Fame induction ceremony hosted by the California Museum in Sacramento. As soon as I walked up towards the event I recognized a familiar face... our very own former Yelp CM, Alex L. I was thrilled to get an invite. The list of inductees included the original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, whom I was hoping to get a sneak peek at the actress. I was fortunate to view the class from a special public viewing area as they made their red carpet entry. Unfortunately, Lynda Carter was not able to attend. Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom inducted the 15th class of the California Hall of Fame. I saw fellow Yelper, Rich L. We, the general public, were not allowed inside the building or beyond the general red carpet viewing area. We weren't special enough LoL! Local news were lined up for photos and news coverage. The inductees of the California Hall of Fame 15th class are: * Actor and singer-songwriter Lynda Carter * Chef Roy Choi * Physicist Steven Chu * Ice skater Peggy Fleming * Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild * Choreographer Alonzo King * Teacher and former astronaut Barbara Morgan * Soccer player Megan Rapinoe * Singer Linda Ronstadt * Artist Ed Ruscha * Band Los Tigres del Norte I was happy to do a little catching up with Alex... Thank you so much! Review #0558 updated read more

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2022 (July/August/September) The California Museum is such an awesome family date! We were super lucky to have been introduced to this museum via a Summer Soireé Series hosted by Yelp! We were able to come support local businesses and check out the interesting exhibitions. We came back 3 months in a row and each time saw something different as they show case remarkable women of California, or during AAPI event, there was sections in regards to Chinese America history with videos of Lisa Ling or Japanese encampment or my husbands favorite event of the month Between 2 Worlds: Untold Stories of Refugees From Laos which will be on display from now through 28th of October. If you follow me at all, my husband is From Lao. The event we attended was the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Between Two Worlds" presents crucial stages of the Lao refugee experience, inviting visitors to contemplate ideas of "home" as seen through the eyes of people for whom the notion is precarious, and for those who have lived or are still living between two worlds. Developed by the Center for Lao Studies, this traveling exhibit highlights ways in which refugees from Laos exerted pressure on cultural norms, and how survival involved both radical loss and creative adaptation. It was an awesome set up with so much detail! Really wonderful to see. There is a fairly large and growing Asian community in Sacramento and this exhibition probably hits home for many of our families and shows what they went through to give families an American influenced life! I encourage if you or your family haven't visited the California Museum to please do! They have so very many cool exhibits that give you some rich cultured California history! read more

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This cannot be a "California" Museum. How does this represent California? A bunch of pictures and written words. Very political. Nothing about the state except for one tiny section about the missions. I understand all cities have their own museum. But maybe they should visit other state museums and learn how to build a proper museum. No wonder other states look at people here like they do. read more

The California Museum - Lobby of Museum - Museums Near Me - Sacramento, California

I love this museum. Had wonderful displays of California history. You will find history information that you were not familiar with.

I took my son to a budget-friendly activity over the weekend. They offer entry discounts, with fees as low as $2. The location is informative and interactive, featuring activities for both kids and adults. My 11-year-old had a great time learning about Pearl Harbor, women's history, and viewing various historical displays. read more

I came here on a field trip with my daughters class. This museum was pretty small or we just didn't get to see everything. The employees were nice. They have a gift shop. They also have hands on exhibits for the kids which is pretty cool. It's close to the Light rail and State Capital. read more

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I went to the museum on a Sunday so I was able to get free street parking! Compared to most other museums, this one is very interactive as well as informative! One of the exhibits I entered was about women throughout history and feminism. They had sever buttons that when you pushed them, they would play music that empowered a message or movement in accordance to time period. They also had serval screens in a room that would play informative videos of the achievements of women throughout the course of history. Another exibxit, which was limited time, was the history of Filipinos throughout California that exhibited photos, clothing, and personal stories. One fascinating experience I had at this museum was the ability to interact with and AI. We were able to ask questions and have and AI reply on a virtual screen. Sadly I had to cut my visit short since I spent more time at the exhibit than expected and wasn't able to finish exploring. read more

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They have a great exhibit called UPROOTED about the Japanese American experience with forced evacuation and imprisonment for 4 years . The Japanese Americans lost their businesses and properties which they worked so hard for and the majority of the 120,000 people were American citizens . The US Government at the time didn't have the guts to call them US citizens, so they referred to them as non-aliens of Japanese ancestry -- they were citizens being called non- aliens .....! One video showed how the US government was desperately looking for evidence of espionage or disloyalty to "justify" this illegal imprisonment ---but not one Japanese person in the US was ever found to be disloyal to our country. In fact , they worked in US military intelligence to decipher Japanese language communications and like many precious Americans of all races and walks of life , they gave their lives for America in the war . The all Japanese units of the 442 regiment and 100 battalion were the most decorated military unit for their size in US history . (See PBS documentary- Silent Sacrifice for free online . Also available for schools with 5-day program of video with learning materials . ) The California Museum also has wonderful interactive exhibits on Chinese immigrant story , Native American history , Latino American history , Black Panthers and their part of the California story as well as Women . Special thanks to docent volunteers Gail to helped us find our way home when my iPhone stopped working . Xox read more

Their special events are very special. We just attended the Asian America Farmers Panel. It was so informative and really gets you to think about your community and the struggles of the farmers and the great strives they are making in the farming business. read more

It's been many years since I visited the The California Museum but have recently revisited the few times over the last few weeks. There has been some changes but surprisingly there also has been a lot of things that stayed the same (until just my very last visit atleast.) First thing, this is that it is nice to see a museum dedicated to California history not far from the Capitol. There are some really great exhibits such as The Uprooted! Exhibit regarding Japanese internment camps and Japanese history in California. This was an important exhibit and it looks like very recently they have closed it off for renovation. I'm excited to know that they are working on renovating these long running exhibits. Another major section is the women inspire section. These have been around for a long time and it's great to see them get new life. An interesting thing about this museum is it shares space with the Secretary of State and Archives, so the museum looks bigger than it really is. Regardless it still a great place to visit and also get some California related tourist items...even for long time residents lol. The Museum has recently started hosting events and I think this is a great way to get more people to come to the Museum. The only real downside is the lack of consistent parking around with mostly state owned garages and some street parking. read more

Remarkable to experience the museum, a hidden gem in the middle of downtown Sacramento. The museum hosts numerous different exhibits throughout the venue. Yours were available all night with enthusiastic tour guides that provided in depth personal stories tying the exhibits to their family history. We came here for the Summer Soirée AAPI Night event. There were great vendors spread all over the venue, mixed in with the exhibits and outside. Loved that they were all local vendors from the AAPI community. Overall great, family friendly experience for all to enjoy. read more

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A disgrace to ca history and waists of space in a historic area. Hardly any actual artifacts. A screwed view on historical events and people. Waite of 10$ and an entire section on adult health???? TERRIBLE!! read more

Another interesting museum in the heart of midtown. Love the history here and the art shared amongst many diverse cultures. Some pieces are so unique and beautifully made. I also love how there are local art pieces hung on walls, some from schools that belong to students and some from local colleges as well. The museum is big enough to enjoy a plethora of art and woman's history. There are stories on plaques and displays that explain or give you timelines of events or the background. There's also a little gift store on the first floor. Everyone here is really nice. read more

I had the opportunity to explore here from Summer Soireé Series hosted by Yelp! The museum is attached to a bigger building so lower your expectations. There are 3 floors and a bunch to look at and learn from still. I would say this museum pulls from a lot of social media which in today's time is useful and draws the younger crowd's attention. I absolutely love the women empowerment and specifically the Lao refugee experience, this hit home, hard! I felt seen, representation matters! Another museum was knocked off my list here in Sacramento. Thanks, YELP! read more

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Ahhh.. The state of California.. This is the place I was born, raised, got married, and have been residing ever since I was brought onto this earth. So when you get a place that is named "The California Museum" which happens to be in the state capital of Sacramento, this place must have anything and everything that showcases California and what it is all about. To put it mildly, this was just an average experience at best. I ended up coming here on the afternoon of Saturday 9/21/19 with my lovely lady which was none other than "Free Museum Day". Normally the general admission is $9.00 (as of 2019) and they are open Tuesday through Sunday. The location is at the corner of 10th and O St's at Archives Plaza. Parking is a bit challenging (especially during the week when most state workers are in the area) so its best to walk, bike, public transportation, or ride share. The museum itself has 2 floors; the first floor offers a small gift shop which is great for tourists visiting California for the first time. Here, you will find collectibles and other items for purchase. However, you can find a much more extensive collection of this type of stuff in Old Sacramento. The first floor also offers detailed history of how California became admitted into its statehood back in the 1850's, the Native American settlers, and the Japanese internment camps in Sacramento. The second floor offers revolving displays that focus on women leaders that have been an inspiration to California, fashion of some prominent leaders, politicians, and role models, entertainers that made it big here, athletes that had thriving careers, and lots of artifacts that show various eras and focal points in California's history. There was lots to see and even interactive rooms that many kids will find interesting. Overall, this is a decent museum but probably something that I will not come back to again. It's a great place for a class field trip or even if you wish to gain knowledge on some of California's rich history. With that said and done, much of what I saw here can also be found at the California State Fair (held annually every July in Sacramento) or even at a wide variety of museums in Los Angeles. My lady and I spent about 90 minutes here which was more than enough time to soak everything in. My rating for "The California Museum", three stars. read more

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Yesterday was Free Museum Day here in Sacramento and what better Museum to stop at than to learn about our state, California! I definitely learned a lot at both floors of the museum, especially at the American Japanese area. They had Mas Hatano there who was a survivor of the Tule Lake incarnation camp that volunteers here, sharing stories with the museum guests! The government only provided the Japanese of the camps with cots so they had to make their own dressers, chairs and other furniture to make it livable and not to mention in a very small room. The children played with marbles, since they weren't given a lot to play with in the camps. At the Robert Redford area we watched on the screen how the actor did everything he could to preserve Utah, so wonderful he cares about the environment! Of course what put a smile on my face was the food section of the museum, seeing the giant See's bordeaux, Mrs Fields Cookie both made my mouth water and next to Lucille Ball, "Lucy I'm Home", hilarious actress and the one who started the three-camera technique, now a standard in filming! I would highly recommend visiting this museum and learning the history behind our great state and they are currently building a new exhibit as well! The gift shop has some fun items too, including some adorable Japanese cat and geisha figurines, I love the Japanese culture so they caught my eye right away! read more

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This place is constantly changing and adding new exhibits. I got to see the Dia De Los Muertes a few days before it closed. One exhibit was closed off. I think it was the bus because I didn't see it there. They were doing construction on the first floor. When I visited, two field trips in row visited. It's a very virtual and interactive place. This place is easy to get to by light rail. It's super close to the station and you'll save money on parking there at the garage. read more

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Great interactive way to teach your teens about California history. It's close to a ton of local restaurants too.

While standing in line to come inside the museum, the attendant was so nice and friendly. She got us more excited about the event and made us feel welcomed. The museum was beautiful and amazing! The people inside were knowledgeable and friendly. read more

Interesting place to visit with your family to get to know more about the history of California. My favorite in the whole museum is the wall with human rights. But overall some may find this place boring. read more

The California Museum - Museums Near Me - Sacramento, California

Cool spot! Was fun to visit while in Sacramento. Interactive exhibits here were pretty fun. read more

The California Museum - First floor ceiling - Museums Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Went to this museum for a photography exhibit and was absolutely shocked by how much more was available to fill my brain. The history, culture and beauty of California and its people is displayed with educational and historic information. The exhibit on the Japanese internment camps brought tears to my eyes. The staff was wonderful and very helpful with where to start and what not to miss. I highly recommend this museum. I would have given 5 stars, but finding the restrooms was like wandering a labyrinth only to find locked doors. read more

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This is a good place to come for a couple of hours and learn more about California. It has exhibits such as most influential/famous Californians, the Japanese internment, notable women from California, Chicano murals, and a very informative section of community activism. There is a healthy food/city interactive section that allows you to gain points by going through each section and then redeeming them to donate to a charity that is listed. I was able to donate over $200! Not only do you learn how to improve your community but you also help make an impact too. Highly recommend this place! read more

The California Museum - Unity exhibition - Museums Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Interactive displays that are clean and well presented, but the focus is too much on DEI portraying women and minorities as victims.

We stumbled across the gem purely by accident and we loved it! If you want to be inspired, check it out! There is a wonderful exhibit on women in California who have made a difference. Great for all ages read more

A very good and engaging California history museum, with friendly and helpful staff. There were excellent exhibits on the Japanese Internment, the history of the Chinese community in California, art installations inspired by the Day of the Dead, etc. read more

Interesting Exhibits, Great Speakers, and Fun Part-Time Work-Gigs! SITREP The California Museum is a great local resource here in Sacramento for some outstanding events. From the exhibitions themselves - such as the current "Remarkable Women of California" sponsored by the Eames family - to some gala functions - one I attended with Governor Schwarzenegger - the museum offers a lot for the sightseer and patron alike. THE SETUP Right off the Light-Rail tracks at 10th & O Street! This museum is very easy to get via mass transit from wherever you are in Sacramento. And in a very beautiful & modern facility, the museum attracts a lot of wonderful exhibitions from around the country. EXHIBITIONS Currently, as mentioned above, there is a wonderful exhibition on "Remarkable Women of California", and it features every one from Astronaut Sally Ride & Kristi Yamaguchi, March Fong Yu & Dolores Huerta, to Julia Morgan & Julia Child. Their extraordinary & singular influences upon the lives of all Californians is celebrated! SPEAKERS The museum also serves as an excellent forum for great presentations of topical interest to the local community. I recently attended a very indepth presentation featuring Historians William Burg and Annette Kassis. William spoke about the transformation of the Sacramento community over the last 150 years since it's founding and all the demographic and structural changes that Sacramento has seen. Annette shared the evolution of the Weinstocks brand of stores - which got it's start right here on K Street in Sacramento - and as it tracked with the evolution of the entire Department store industry over the last 150 years. Both share the interesting facets of how ordinary life & business changed from decade to decade. EXHIBIT CONSTRUCTION Seriously - I wasn't joking about this in the review title. I actually worked a couple of ad hoc shifts on a couple of State Holidays (like Columbus Day when it was still celebrated by State Workers) over the last decade when some friends contacted me about helping to move exhibition items & props into the museum and around to various rooms for set-up. It was fun while it lasted. THE LOWDOWN The California Museum is an excellent showcase for outstanding exhibitions and wonderful presentations. read more

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I've all the times I've been to the California museum, I enjoyed the staff friendliness here the most. They make this museum the best, because they have a passion about what this museum brings to Sacramento. In fact, some of the staff here have relatives or people who donated to the museum, which is truly awesome. My child loves this museum as she walks around and loves each aspect. what I love about museums is that they showcase what the history of the city has, and how much it can empower the viewer. read more

Got a chance to visit the California Museum for the Charlie Brown Christmas event today. It was free admission from 12-4 with an appearance from Snoopy himself. As the venue was complimentary today, it was fairly crowded but manageable. The event was suppose to have live music from jazz musician Jim Martinez, but we did not see him perform. In addition, the food and drink samples from IKEA West Sacramento were gone by 1:30 so we did not get to partake with those as well. The museum encompasses two floors with the permanent exhibits being the California Hall of Fame, California Missions, California Indians, California women, Uprooted (Japanese internment), Heath happens here. The short term exhibits were the Day of the Dead, and the Snoopy Pigskin exhibit. The Snoopy exhibit was basically several classic Snoopy cartoon clips, but Snoopy was there from 12-2 for all to take a photo with. All in all, a nice museum, not world class, but a fun way to spend an hour or so if you are in the area. read more