Oakland Museum of California

I was pleasantly surprised by what this museum had to offer (way better than the California Museum in Sac), it was like three separate museums in one, plus additional special exhibits with an added fee. No need for the extras, as the three main galleries (art, history, and natural sciences) already took up all our time, at least a few hours to get through these, along with a break in the Town Fare cafe on site (which was busy on a Sunday afternoon), a walk through the outdoor garden and viewing of the sculptures and koi pond, and checking out the OMCA store before leaving, which offered unique gifts, books, puzzles, even a "letting your shadow in" mindfulness deck.The art gallery showcased a wonderful range of California artworks, including abstract art, 3D landscape exhibits, an 1880 silver Oakland Fire Department ceremonial presentation trumpet (a symbol of honor following the gold rush era), glazed earthenware pieces from the early 1900's, Dorothea Lange's "Photography as Activism", and my fave, the beautiful Baby Osiris Cookie Jar ceramic sculpture by David Gilhooly.The history gallery had so much to explore, we didn't know where to start. We listened to tunes from the wurlitzer jukebox that played songs from the 30's and 40's, checked out Hollywoodland and the history of cinema, sat in a re-creation of Joe's home in '"Pipe City" where the homeless lived in Oakland during the Great Depression, and spent a good amount of time in the Chevron History Hangout section with interactive exhibits related to sound and displays of "weird things", as well as a steam pumper from the early 1900's, used by the Oakland Fire Department to put out notable fires including those following the 1906 earthquake, beautifully restored.The natural sciences gallery consisted mainly of animal exhibits (I saw at least 4-5 different types of rabbits... though some were shown as prey). Just like the other galleries, the set up was unique and appealing and the displays informative. Exhibits included an ancient lava tube walk-through cave, an urban nature lab, and an SF Bay Area Shoreline landscan (providing an aerial view on a large screen). I even learned about roadkill and why animals cross the road. My favorite feature in the science gallery was the California Coast Lounge, the entire wall used as a screen showing sea life (whales, jellyfish and more), with the feeling of being underwater while relaxing on bean bag seats.Note, not all interactive exhibits in the three main galleries were in working order during our recent visit, but there was still so much to do and see, and plenty to learn for both kids and adults. And with free admission on first Sundays of the month, our entire experience was an absolute treat.

I was really impressed with the museum. This was my first time here. The exhibits are well cared for. They give a great and accurate surface level history that has sparked interest for me to dig deeper into many topics. I am not from CA, but when we visit the area again, i for sure want to come back and see the rest of the place and anything that may be new. loved it! They make great use of the space , and really pack it in. Lots of interactive stuff too.The staff were also so friendly and helpful. It was an overall great experience. The only thing that could have made it even better is if they participated in the reciprocal program with my home museum.

I haven't been to the Oakland museum in years, but came to see the Calli exhibit with my cousins. It was a Saturday afternoon and parking was not packed. It had been 30min when the museum opened so that was a plus. When going through the parking lot, the entrance is right before the lower lot. We bought our tickets online but you must check in to get your sticker for the exhibit. Also, if you have EBT, you can ask for the "museums for all rate" w/ no need to pull out your card! No need for embarrassment infront of other patrons and as a former case manager, I love that! Also, 1st Sunday of the month is free! The special exhibits are still $6 on top of your entrance so make sure if you buy online, you go to the exhibit page and click "get tickets." This will take you where you need to go to combine entry plus exhibit. This gives you access to everything.Now the Calli Exhibit. Oh my goodness did I hold back tears. A lot of the art was super emotional for me. The Latin culture, the native culture, the queerness in both was just emotional. If this is your first time, just walk around and soak it in. Notice everything in the art pieces because they have things you don't notice at first glance. This exhibit was really worth it, and all I can say is it's sad we used to fight for the rights of people and now we fight for the price of groceries.The rest of the halls are huge too. Lord was my back hurting hahaha. There's plenty of sitting space everywhere but a good pair of shoes helps. I didn't try the cafe but the menu looked so good! Also the lower hall of natural sciences has such a great space for littles to run around. There's a lot of hands on things you can try too!I did notice the roofing has some leakage going on but I realized we as a community need to continue to support this museum. Everything major has left Oakland and we can't allow our museum to close. Even if you don't want to get a membership, consider donating to this amazing place that represents the Bay Area. All in all, such a great experience and expect to spend 3-4hrs here.

World class museum that's huge and very kid friendly with an entire enormous floor that kids will love.

Visited the museum for the first time today and I am so impressed! It is huge, with a focus on California history, art, and natural science, plus a special exhibit. There is also a cafe, store, garden, and koi pond. The exhibits are amazingly well done. I was particularly moved by the display about the Japanese internment camps during WWII. The artwork in general was also extremely interesting. It's nice that there is a parking garage adjacent to the museum so you don't have to walk far like you do at some of the museums in SF. It's $5 per hour. We had a problem paying for parking online when we left and my credit card got charged twice, but they quickly corrected it. You can just pay with a credit card when you exit instead of messing with the website on your phone. Had soul food for lunch at the Town Fare cafe at the museum. It was a bit expensive. The cafe was spacious and clean and the staff was friendly. I think you need to go a couple times to take it all in. It's a great place for little ones-- some of the exhibits are interactive and the natural sciences area has a play place specifically for kids.

Oakland museum of California Lake Merritt. Weekend ticket. Week day student pass. Central to Oakland bart station

I used to come here on school field trips as a kid and now have the pleasure of bringing my toddler. This is a wonderful museum filled with so many great exhibits. We loved exploring the California exhibit and had a blast in the baby/ toddler section. Can't wait to bring my little in again and see what captures her interest.

We came here for the 2nd time and were not disappointed. I brought my wife and little 3 1/2 old Izzy for a Sunday visit. First off park on the street as it is free on Sundays. Don't pay and park in the garage. :). The museum is also very kid friendly (go to the Natural Sciences section). See photo attached too. There is a section on the bottom floor (to the right of the Registration area) that is the highlight of the museum in my opinion. There are many exhibits, from the Japanese prison camps section to the Native population of California section dating back to the 1500s. I feel like this is a very under rated museum. We drove over an hour from south San Jose to visit. I would recommend coming here! It does seem that there is a discount if you visit on the first Sunday of the month.

OMCA (est 1969) is a huge museum and a garden located adjacent to Oak Street, 10th Street, and 11th Street in downtown Oakland, CA. This museum has more than 1.9 million objects with multidisciplinary collections of art, history, and natural science, all in their 110,000 square feet of gallery space. I spent 4.5 hours exploring the Galleries of Art and California History, and the Garden but not the California Natural Sciences due to time constraints. They have impressive art galleries and historical artifacts. Admission ticket cost $19 bucks. Parking rates varies on the hours spend in the museum (e.g., nonmember 2-3 hrs ($15), 3-4 hrs ($20) etc.). Overall, I truly enjoyed my visit and the breadth of information of this museum. I learned a lot about California's art and history. I highly recommend this museum.

The museum primarily features two major departments: the History Museum and the Natural Sciences Museum, both of which are impeccably organized and display a plethora of historical artifacts. Visitors can uncover fascinating insights into the history and geography of California. Additionally, there's a spacious children's play area within the Natural Sciences department.While the Modern Art Gallery had a collection that was somewhat underwhelming, the museum offers other attractions, including a koi pond, a gift store, and a lovely lawn area. Notably, the Towne Fare restaurant left a lasting impression; we thoroughly enjoyed both the ambiance and the delicious food. We certainly plan to return, if only for the exceptional dining experience. I definitely recommend OMCA for young kids. It's worth noting that exploring the entire museum thoroughly may take an entire day, so plan your visit accordingly. Parking is also convenient, with ample street parking available and a parking garage.