The Bay Area is vibrant with culture, history, and art. Buzzing with talented artists and rich history, you’ll find a wide variety of Bay Area museums to choose from. Let us help you find the most beautiful pieces of art and history while expanding your horizons. Looking for more ways to diversify your palate and try new things? Our specially-curated Vacation Guide is brimming with the best of Wine Country, outdoor adventures, history, culture, romantic escapes, and places to relax and unwind in Livermore, CA.
You Need to Visit These Diverse Bay Area Museums
Fine Arts Museum in Golden State Park
For the art enthusiasts who love to face the unfamiliar and inspire their creativity, the de Young Museum has been around for more than 100 years. Located in Golden Gate Park, the new, state-of-the-art facility is the perfect combination of art, architecture, and natural landscape.
Exhibits feature American, African, and Oceanic Art collections, as well as costume, textile arts, and photography. In addition to the de Young Museum, Golden State Park also has segway tours, a Japanese Tea Garden, an aquarium, beautiful gardens, fascinating wildlife, and a beach chalet with dining and an entertainment center.
Science Museum in Golden State Park
For more about nature and the environment, California Academy of Sciences is a must! Known as California’s voice for science, this aquarium and planetarium will inspire you to make a difference in the environment. Steinhart Aquarium is said to be the most biologically diverse and interactive aquarium on Earth. The exhibit lets you explore a mysterious part of the ocean called the “Twilight Zone,” and is also the first public aquarium to have flashlight fish and coconut octopuses.
Morrison Planetarium is known as one of the most accurate digital universes. You’ll take a look at the workings of our planet and make your way up to far away galaxies on a 75-foot screen. Next, you can make your way over to the Rainforest Exhibit. This dome contains four stories of the rainforest. You’ll feel like you’re in the Amazon as you come face-to-face with more than 1,600 plants and animals!
Cultural Museums in San Francisco
California is known for being culturally diverse with residents from all over the world. Several Bay Area museums present art and history from different walks of life. Browse some of our favorites below!
Asian Art Museum is strategically located in one of the most culturally diverse parts of the country. This museum sets out to inspire new ways of connecting communities to contemporary Asian art and culture. You’ll find more than 2,000 masterpieces from all major parts of Asia.
MoAD is a contemporary art museum that focuses on Black cultures and African Diaspora. Different exhibits will show you the beliefs, practices, and traditions that sparked cultural movements.
Learn about Jewish traditions and practices at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Themes and topics discussed change daily. Their exhibits are meant to show the different perspectives of Jewish art, ideas, history, and culture.
Relax at the Purple Orchid
These Bay Area museums are mostly located in the hustle and bustle of San Francisco! Learn and explore different cultures and art in the city, then retreat to the Purple Orchid to relax. Our area is less than a two-hour drive from the heart of San Francisco, making it a perfect road trip destination. Add some Livermore-specific arts items to your itinerary with our area’s live music and annual art walk!
Relax during your getaway by making an appointment at our spa. We offer an array of soothing spa treatments, including facials, massages, and body treatments. Then, recharge in one of our luxuriously appointed guest rooms. The Morning Dove Deluxe Suite offers an intimate setting with breathtaking views. Every day you will be offered a full-plated breakfast as well as Wine and Olive Oil Hour at The Gathering Table as part of our premium amenities. Treat yourself to this romantic getaway in one of our accommodations and book now!