The Museums, Historic Parks and Gardens of California

There are a number of California museums that may be worth a visit. Depending on your tastes, there are California museums suitable for every interest. You can travel back in time at the California State Railroad Museum. Many years ago, this 100,000-square-foot museum was once the official terminus of the Transcontinental and Sacramento Valley railways. The museum displays 21 railroad cars and locomotives.

The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles is home to a collection of European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts and decorative arts. Additionally, the museum has an extensive collection of European and American photographs.

The Museum of the American West is another one of the interesting California museums. You can take a vicarious trip back in time and visit California's historic cowboy past. You can also see how this period has been depicted in Hollywood films, Disney cartoons and 1960s television shows.

There are a large number of California museums at Balboa Park. Shutter bugs will enjoy visiting the Museum of Photographic Arts. This museum is home to over 7,000 works that represent the complete history of photography, its various aesthetic movements, and significant technological advancements.

The Museum of San Diego History is one of the fascinating historical museums in California. This museum serves as a showcase for San Diego's artifacts, historical costumes, furniture, art work and photography.

If you are more of a sports fan than an art fan, you will enjoy visiting the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum. The state-of-the-art media center allows you to explore the evolution of the surfboard and other forms of athletic equipment.

The San Diego Museum of Art is one of the oldest museums in California. It's a great place to view European Old Masters, 19th and 20th century American art and a large collection of Latin American and Asian art.

When you tire of the museums in California, be sure to visit some of the state's architectural masterpieces. The Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove California has been described as a Hollywood Church. The Cathedral is the largest glass building in the entire world. The star-shaped building is over 400 feet long and 200 feet wide. As it rises 12 stories above the ground, the Garden Grove California sunshine is reflected in its glass exterior. The interior features a huge television set and an altar composed of rich and elegant marble.

Aside from the Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove California is home to the Grove Theatre Center, the Orange County Symphony and the Stanley Ranch Museum.

Given its excellent climate, California has a variety of beautiful indigenous plants. They can be explored at any botanical garden California location. The picturesque Santa Barbara Botanical Garden is a botanical educational institution that astounds the visitor with its profound beauty. The University of California at Berkley also has a botanical garden California location.