Museums feed our curiosity for the world. We can learn something new and sometimes have fun, hands-on experiences. Some museums are very niche and have collections of items that you might call weird. This list of quirky and strange museums in Northern California are some of the most fascinating.
- Hand Fan Museum - Healdsburg
Sarah Stierch/Google Images Very niche and super interesting, this fan museum is the only one of its kind in the United States. Located in wine country, the museum has a collection of more than 2,500 fans. The Hand Fan Museums is undergoing renovations and will reopen March 2023. 309 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448, USA
- Museum of 3D Illusions– San Francisco
L Jeffery/Google Images The Museum of 3D Illusions is a fun-filled interactive experience. Visitors young and old are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild. The illusion exhibits let guests pretend they’re surfers, skydivers, survivors of a lava eruption and much more! The museum can be reserved for birthday parties and events. 645 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
- Willow Creek-China Flat Museum– Willow Creek
Willow Creek-China Flat Museum Facebook Page This museum is filled with oddities but has a focus on bigfoot. The exhibit is pretty extensive and definitely worth your time. You’ll find footprint castings, photos, and a map of where sightings occurred. The museum’s large and varied collection might even convince skeptics that there’s something lurking in the woods! Be sure to take a picture with the large bigfoot statue located at the front of the museum. The museum is closed November through April, except by appointment. 38949 CA-299, Willow Creek, CA 95573, USA
- Bigfoot Discovery Museum– Felton
Rogue Trippers/Google Images The legend of bigfoot lives in Northern California. The redwood forests in the northwest part of the state are said to be the home of the legendary ape-like creature. Owner Michael Rugg opened the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in the mid-2000s. It’s entirely devoted to bigfoot and has a lot of interesting items. 5497 CA-9, Felton, CA 95018, USA
bartellj/Google Images Families from around the area love to visit this museum and hear Michael’s stories about bigfoot. Bigfoot Discovery Museum is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The hours of this museum frequently change, so it’s best to call first to ensure it’s open.
- Truhlsen Museum of the Eye– San Francisco
Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye Facebook Page Learn all about the human eye at this museum about eyesight. The American Academy of Ophthalmology maintains this free museum that is located on Fisherman’s Wharf. Check out more than 4,000 types of visual aids, like eyeglasses, monocles, and binoculars. The exhibit has a VR experience and a giant interactive eyeball, too. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 55 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USAMuseum of 3D Illusions, 55-61 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
In addition to these niche museums there are many large and well-known museums in Northern California. But isn’t it fun to take a deep dive into a random topic and gain new experiences?
Sarah Stierch/Google Images
Very niche and super interesting, this fan museum is the only one of its kind in the United States. Located in wine country, the museum has a collection of more than 2,500 fans. The Hand Fan Museums is undergoing renovations and will reopen March 2023.
309 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448, USA
L Jeffery/Google Images
The Museum of 3D Illusions is a fun-filled interactive experience. Visitors young and old are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild. The illusion exhibits let guests pretend they’re surfers, skydivers, survivors of a lava eruption and much more! The museum can be reserved for birthday parties and events.
645 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
Willow Creek-China Flat Museum Facebook Page
This museum is filled with oddities but has a focus on bigfoot. The exhibit is pretty extensive and definitely worth your time. You’ll find footprint castings, photos, and a map of where sightings occurred. The museum’s large and varied collection might even convince skeptics that there’s something lurking in the woods! Be sure to take a picture with the large bigfoot statue located at the front of the museum. The museum is closed November through April, except by appointment.
38949 CA-299, Willow Creek, CA 95573, USA
Rogue Trippers/Google Images
The legend of bigfoot lives in Northern California. The redwood forests in the northwest part of the state are said to be the home of the legendary ape-like creature. Owner Michael Rugg opened the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in the mid-2000s. It’s entirely devoted to bigfoot and has a lot of interesting items.
5497 CA-9, Felton, CA 95018, USA
bartellj/Google Images
Families from around the area love to visit this museum and hear Michael’s stories about bigfoot. Bigfoot Discovery Museum is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The hours of this museum frequently change, so it’s best to call first to ensure it’s open.
Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye Facebook Page
Learn all about the human eye at this museum about eyesight. The American Academy of Ophthalmology maintains this free museum that is located on Fisherman’s Wharf. Check out more than 4,000 types of visual aids, like eyeglasses, monocles, and binoculars. The exhibit has a VR experience and a giant interactive eyeball, too. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
55 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USAMuseum of 3D Illusions, 55-61 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Are there any strange museums where you live? Tell us about them.
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