The Golden State’s rich history, vibrant culture and spirit of innovation are reflected in its intriguing museums—from venues focusing on old-time railroads to sleek arts institutions and high-tech shrines.
Urban metros such as San Francisco and Los Angeles offer some of the country’s finest museums devoted to science and art. Several are newly built or recently expanded, housed in distinct buildings designed by renowned architects. Most of California’s museums use state-of-the-art technology and encourage interactivity and learning by allowing visitors to touch and experience exhibits first-hand.
Many museums are available for group events, including the following eight standouts.
1. California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento
www.csrmf.org
The California State Railroad Museum, one of the most popular museums of its kind in the country, features historic locomotives and historical scenes and exhibits that surround attendees at corporate events. The staff can provide tours, train rides, speakers and interactive programming. The most popular group venue is the Roundhouse, according to Pati Brown, spokeswoman for the museum.
“Trains can be removed from the Roundhouse to open up space for up to 400 for sit-down dining events surrounded by locomotives from bygone eras,” she says.
Also popular for smaller cocktail receptions is the Transcontinental Gallery, with a soaring ceiling and interpretive exhibits that re-create the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.
“Our vintage excursion train is also available for a cocktail reception or dinner traveling along the Sacramento River,” Brown says. “A perfect combination is a sunset train ride followed by dinner and dancing in the Roundhouse.”
2. Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco
www.waltdisney.org
Situated in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco’s Presidio, the country’s largest urban national park, Walt Disney Family Museum spotlights one of California’s famous entrepreneurs and visual artists. The two-year-old museum is dedicated to the creator of Mickey, Minnie, Disneyland and many more cultural icons. Interactive exhibits in 12 galleries trace the story of Disney’s life, from humble Midwestern beginnings, to struggling young cartoon artist, to world-famous creative visionary.
The main building’s lobby, highlighted by glass cases holding 29 of Disney’s Academy Awards, is available for receptions, typically held before guests view the museum.
“It’s a walk down memory lane,” says Jessica Blake, event manager. “It’s a social evening that promotes bonding because everyone remembers Disney and sees something that triggers a memory.”
The museum is often used by corporations making a change or seeking to inspire innovation. Disney’s creativity is a catalyst, Blake says. Groups can dine in the Special Exhibition Hall, restored with period wainscoting and painted moldings. The 114-seat Fantasia-inspired theater is also available.
3. California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
www.calacademy.org
What makes events at the architecturally stunning California Academy of Sciences exciting is that the facility is not simply a museum.
“We are a fully functioning research facility with staff in the field contributing to the world of science and innovation, helping to educate people,” says Roqua Montez, spokeswoman for the museum. “An event on a budget needn’t worry about decor—simply let the exhibits speak for themselves and guests are certain to have a unique and educational experience.”
Attendees can explore the academy’s vast “living roof,” experience a four-story rainforest, visit the planetarium and view African penguins, an albino alligator and a coral reef.
The academy can accommodate everything from an intimate, 30-person seated dinner to a 3,000-person gala.
Guests could enter the main lobby and be greeted by the Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur, head to the four-story rainforest and exit into the aquarium for cocktails, then go to the Swamp or African Hall for dinner with penguins (already dressed for a black tie occasion).
4. The Tech Museum, San Jose
www.thetech.org
The Tech Museum was designed to capture the innovative, risk-taking spirit of Silicon Valley.
“Compelling interactive experiences literally put our visitors in touch with the cutting-edge technologies that have changed how the world creates, communicates, lives, works and plays,” says Helen Taylor, spokeswoman for the museum.
Hands-on exhibits explore genetics with partners from the Department of Genetics at Stanford University and space exploration with NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, as well as clean energy, biotechnology and other sciences.
The museum hosts events ranging in size from 25 to 2,500. Groups can utilize separate exhibit galleries or rent the entire building for larger, multilevel events.
5. El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, Santa Barbara
www.sbthp.org
Groups can feel like they are walking in the footsteps of important figures in California history at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, which preserves the site of the last of four military outposts built by the Spanish along the California coast. The park features the restored Casa de la Guerra, a sprawling adobe home built in the 1820s that houses a museum with original furnishings and rotating exhibits focusing on California history. The casa’s outdoor courtyard is one of the most atmospheric venues for events in Santa Barbara, according to Catherine Puccino, sales director for the Santa Barbara CVB. Groups find the historic park’s outdoor space, which can handle a maximum of 175 people, a “charming part” of local history, she says.
6. California Science Center, Los Angeles
www.californiasciencecenter.org
The California Science Center, named by Forbes.com as one of the most popular museum destinations in Southern California, provides an out-of-the-ordinary event experience. The center features an IMAX theater and permanent and changing exhibits, including the 40,000-square-foot World of Life, which explores the commonalities of the living world. Another gallery, Creative World, showcases the ways people use technology. In 2010, the Ecosystems expansion added hands-on science exhibits in 11 galleries.
The center offers over 260,000 square feet of event and meeting space, including the 7,500-square-foot Donald P. Loker Conference Center. The center can host banquets for up to 800 and receptions for up to 4,000. Staff can lead science demonstrations for groups through hands-on experiments.
7. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles
www.lacma.org
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the largest museum of art in the Western U.S., is available for a variety of group events. The museum expanded last year with the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano.
LACMA’s event spaces include sculpture gardens, plazas, the open-air BP Grand Entrance, the 116-seat Brown Auditorium, the 600-seat Leo S. Bing Theater, the Los Angeles Times Central Court and the LACMA West Penthouse (available for cocktail receptions for up to 900 people). Groups can arrange to see the museum’s art collection and exhibition as part of their events.
8. USS Midway Museum, San Diego
www.midway.org
One of California’s most unique museum venues is in the water off downtown San Diego: the USS Midway Museum, an aircraft carrier that hosts more than 250 events each year.
Accommodating from 35 to 3,500 people, facilities include a four-acre flight deck, with more than 50,000 square feet of event space, another deck for smaller events and “below deck” spaces such as the Mess Deck and Wardroom. Attendees can explore the carrier, including the 25 restored aircraft onboard.
“We open other areas of the ship, and planners can arrange to have docents, many of them retired military, available for tours in select areas,” says Pat Pfohl, director of sales at the museum. “We also have simulators that they can rent. One holds 12 people and shakes and rattles and simulates a flight in Desert Storm.”
The museum’s location is a draw for planners.
“We’re on the front porch of San Diego’s revitalized downtown and a mile from the convention center. Plus we’re directly across from the active home port of North Island, so you can see other aircraft carriers docked when they are in port,” Pfohl says.
