Top California Museums

Step into the captivating realm of illusions, where reality is never exactly as it appears. Museum of Illusions is a one-of-a-kind, visual, sensory, and educational experience designed to engage your sense of wonder and challenge perceptions through the science behind optical illusions. We offer over 50 immersive, hands-on exhibits to explore. Our illusion rooms, installations and holograms let you defy gravity, grow and shrink your body, walk into a life-size kaleidoscope, and play tricks on your senses at every turn. It’s a mind-bending journey that deceives the senses and reveals how the brain interprets reality.

Experience the magic of cinema through the lens of those who participate in the creative, collaborative process of filmmaking. The museum is conveniently located on Wilshire Blvd in Hollywood! Experience Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975) like never before. Jaws: The Exhibition celebrates the film’s 50th anniversary and revisits Jaws scene by scene, through original objects, behind-the-scenes revelations, and interactive moments. You can also see Barbie to Anna Karenina: The Cinematic Worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer, an immersive and experiential look at the works of one of the most distinctive production design teams working today. Director's Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho is the first exhibition dedicated to the internationally acclaimed, Oscar®–winning film director, offering a focused spotlight on Bong Joon Ho’s creative process, filmography, and cinematic influences.

Discover a world where reality bends at Museum of Illusions San Diego. With over 50 interactive exhibits, guests can challenge their perceptions and engage their sense of wonder. Experience gravity-defying installations, life-size kaleidoscopes, and mind-bending holograms that play tricks on your senses. This unique attraction is perfect for families, friends, and couples looking for a memorable outing. Located in beautiful downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, we are minutes away from Petco Park, the San Diego Convention Center and an abundance of hotel and restaurant options.

See paintings, sculptures, photography, and more from the world’s top modern and contemporary artists at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, located near Union Square. This general admission ticket grants access to all seven floors featuring more than 30,000 pieces, the largest living wall in the US, outdoor gardens, and six terraces. Recharge at onsite restaurants or browse the gift shop during your visit.

Go beyond the movies and gain a deeper understanding of the man behind some of the world’s most beloved animated characters at The Walt Disney Family Museum. Located in San Francisco’s historic Presidio, the museum brings Walt Disney’s life and creative legacy into focus through early cartoons, films, personal stories, and recordings in his own voice. Before you leave, take in sweeping views of San Francisco Bay from the museum’s glass-walled galleries.

Take a trip through American naval history when you go for a self-led tour of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, with the benefit of prebooked admission tickets. This enormous ship, the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, now offers a range of interactive exhibits, an audio tour, and numerous restored aircraft across its 4 acres (1.6 hectares). It’s an essential piece of the country's military history.

Experience the Queen Mary like never before! More than just a ship, the Queen Mary is a gateway to thrilling historical and paranormal tours. Anchored in Long Beach, CA, she invites you to be a part of her rich history while embracing the vibrant energy of today. Step aboard and immerse yourself in an unforgettable journey where history is not just remembered, but lived. Whether you're here for an event, a meeting, or simply to explore, the Queen Mary is where past and present meet in a unique and captivating way.

Enjoy easy skip-the-line access to the California Academy of Sciences with this pre-paid ticket. Walk right in to explore the museum's 4-story rainforest, planetarium, and aquarium, plus the new Tiny Chef, Big Impact exhibit celebrating small actions for the planet.

Prebook general admission to San Francisco’s de Young Museum—located in Golden Gate Park, and home to one of the city’s most prominent art collections—and have the freedom to explore its galleries at your own pace with this convenient visiting option. Upgrade your ticket to include entrance to the Special Exhibits. With your ticket, you can also enjoy same-day entry to the Legion of Honor Museum at no extra cost.

Bubble Planet invites guests into a whimsical, immersive world where bubbles come to life through more than ten interactive environments designed to spark wonder, imagination, and play. Each themed space offers a unique sensory experience blending light, color, sound, technology, and creativity. Explore dreamlike landscapes filled with oversized bubbles, giant inflatable spheres, immersive lighting effects, digital projections, and surreal environments that transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary worlds. Journey through interactive installations, playful illusions, sensory experiences, giant ball environments, and selfie-worthy moments around every corner. Designed for visitors of all ages, Bubble Planet creates unforgettable experiences for families, couples, friends, and curious explorers alike. Option to select our VIP ticket which includes GA Entry Ticket + VR Experience + souvenir gift

- Explore the largest art museum in the western United States with a ticket and a self-guided audio tour - all in one WeGoTrip app - Question what you see, discovering the most daring works of surrealism and expressionism - Immerse yourself in the bold and thought-provoking universe of abstract sculpture - Trace the intriguing history of modern art through the destinies of renowned artists - Take creative and original pictures amidst the most Instagrammable art installation

The Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard gets packed with tourists pretty often, since its home to the Academy Awards, as well as other popular award ceremonies. Prebook this Dolby Theatre tour and guarantee your visit with an included admission ticket. Your guide takes you to secret celebrity hot spots inside the theatre, and you can also step on stage if there’s no scheduled show that day.

Discover one of America’s most famous haunted houses: the Whaley House in San Diego. On your guided tour of the historic house dating back to 1857 you’ll learn about California history and the Whaley family as you explore the home’s Greek Revival architecture, historic décor, and uncover its mysterious and chilling past.

Explore Los Angeles’ Museum of Tolerance and gain a better understanding of discrimination and bigotry with this general admission ticket. Part of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, this unique space has interactive exhibits, events, and programs that document and explore subjects like the Holocaust, the Armenian genocide, the Jewish diaspora, and America’s response to antisemitism.

While in San Diego, visit the Mission San Luis Rey, a National Historic Landmark founded in 1798. Your entrance ticket includes several parts of the mission property, and a self-guided tour of the museum.

Ensure a smooth visit to San Francisco’s Exploratorium by pre-booking your admission ticket. Pass by ticket lines and spend more time engaging your senses and delve into a world of discovery through hundreds of interactive exhibits for the whole family. Explore the amazing realms of physics, anatomy, human perception, and Earth’s ecosystems through inquiry-based displays that delight and inform visitors of all ages.

Step into a world of magic and mystery at the upgraded Museum of Illusions in Hollywood! With an entirely new collection of 3D Illusions, your visit will be more immersive, sharp, and captivating than ever before. Get ready to embark on an African Safari, rock the stage with some of the music industry’s most incredible acts, walk the edge of a skyscraper in a daring escape, steal treasure from a fearsome dragon, and walk the red carpet at a Hollywood film premiere — all in one visit! With the help of top artists from around the world, the museum has been transformed into an extraordinary experience that will leave you breathless.

The American Bookbinders Museum in San Francisco invites visitors to explore the rich history and craft of bookbinding. Open Tuesday through Saturday, this unique museum showcases hand-binding tools from the 1600s to the industrial machines of the 1800s. Engage with self-guided and audio tours, featuring interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that enhance your understanding of book creation. Discover special rotating exhibits like 'Design for a Modern Century,' reflecting the influence of Art Deco on book arts. This museum is perfect for book lovers and history enthusiasts looking to appreciate the art of bookmaking.

Discover a side of Solvang that few other visitors get to experience—and tap into the region’s supernatural lore—on this evening ghost tour. Meet your guide in the center of town and set off with EMF meters, dowsing rods, and other ghost-hunting tools to aid you. You’ll see historic highlights of the town, and can attempt to spot local spirits, all while your guide shares Solvang’s spookiest ghost stories.

Explore one of San Francisco’s most prominent art collections when you prebook admission tickets to the Legion of Honor Museum. Inside, discover an impressive collection of ancient Mediterranean art, European paintings and sculptures, works on paper, and more. As an added bonus, your ticket also includes same-day admission to the de Young Museum at no extra cost.

Get ready to turn your world upside down at WonderWalk’s newest addition — The Upside Down House! With seven interactive rooms that are completely flipped, you’ll finally get to experience what it’s like to walk on walls and dance on the ceiling, and see Hollywood from a brand new perspective. As you wander through the house, every room is turned entirely upside down — from the furniture to the light fixtures. It’s an unusual, photo-friendly attraction that delivers a fun and interactive experience for visitors of all ages.

• Explore the Broad Museum and Downtown LA with your own audio tour • Marvel at iconic colorful Tulips and Balloon Dog sculptures by Jeff Koons • Learn about the world's most famous contemporary artworks by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and more • Stroll through downtown Los Angeles, wow at its magnificent skyline, and relax in the green parks • Stop by the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a must-see LA landmark that will amaze your imagination

Discover one of the largest torture museums in the United States. Explore the museum with an audio guide and learn about the terrible history of punishment, torture, and executions from humanity's darkest times. Enter the 5000 -square-foot exhibition and get your audio guide from the greeter. (available in English and Spanish) Follow the guide's instructions to learn about the hundreds of examples of torture, interrogation, restraint, and execution devices. Explore the museum at your own pace, seeing a variety of grisly instruments of torture and execution from throughout human history. Gain a greater understanding of how the devices worked by viewing the wax sculptures depicting executioners and victims. While you explore the museum, you can also participate in the thrilling Ghost Hunting Experience by downloading the app.