Aviation

Castle Air Force Base - off Hwy 99 - great collection of airplanes, including a B36. Castle Air Museum is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, adjacent to Castle Airport. Driving time is approximately one hour from Fresno, two hours from Sacramento, and three hours from San Francisco. Take Highway 99 to the Buhach Road Exit. Proceed on Buhach Road to Santa Fe Avenue and turn left onto Santa Fe Avenue. The Museum entrance is approximately 100 yards on the right. Check website for fees and days/hours of operation. http://www.elite.net/castle-air/
Hiller Aviation Museum - San Carlos Hiller Aviation Museum highlights the many historic advancements native to Northern California, and show how technologies resident here today will shape the future of air transportation. http://www.hiller.org/
Moffett Field Museum - Mountain View (http://www.moffettfieldmuseum.org/)
McClellan Air Force Base - McClellan CA The Museum was officially opened on September 1986. Located at Sacramento's former McClellan Air Force Base, California. The Museum is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm, and on Sundays from noon to 4pm. The Museum is closed on holidays. Access to the Museum is through the Palm Gate off Watt Avenue. Gate is open during business hours. (http://www.mcclellanaviationmuseum.org/)
NASA - Ames Moffett Field - NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., announces the opening of the Mars Center, timed to coincide with NASA's Mars Exploration Rover landings on Mars in January 2004. The Mars Center is now open and will remain open through June 2004. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/home/index.html
Pacific Coast Air Museum - Santa Rosa The Pacific Coast Air Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the acquisition, restoration, safe operation and display of historical aircraft and provides an educational venue for students and the community. We also intend to honor those heroic aviators who have contributed so much to the growth and defense of our way of life. (http://www.pacificcoastairmuseum.org/)
Wings of History - San Martin The Wings Of History organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of antique and unique aircraft as well as other aviation artifacts. (http://www.wingsofhistory.org/)

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Space & Astronomy

Chabot Space and Science Center - At Chabot Space & Science Center, the universe is yours to experience. Set amid 13 trail-laced acres of East Bay parkland, with glorious views of San Francisco Bay and the Oakland foothills, Chabot is a hands-on celebration of sights, sounds, and sensations. Groups of 15 or more qualify for group rates with advance reservations made at least two weeks in advance of the visit. Call (510) 336-7421 or email groupsales@chabotspace.org for group reservations. (http://www.chabotspace.org/default.htm)
Lick Observatory is open to daytime visitors nearly every day of the year from 12:30 to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. The Observatory is closed to the public on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/public/pub_content.html
NASA Ames http://www.arc.nasa.gov/index.cfm?flash5=true NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., announces the opening of the Mars Center, timed to coincide with NASA's Mars Exploration Rover landings on Mars in January 2004.
The Mars Center will be open to the public on December 29 from Noon to 4 p.m. It will remain open through June 2004.
Foothill College Observatory Discover the Universe at Foothill College! A wide range of academic and public programs in astronomy are offered both during the day and in the evening. Foothill Observatory is open for public viewing every clear Friday evening from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Visitors can view the wonders of the universe through the observatory's 16-inch reflecting telescope and 6-inch refracting telescope. Views of objects in our solar system may include craters and mountains on the moon, the moons and cloud-bands of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, etc. The choice of targets for any evening's viewing depends on the season and what objects are currently in the sky. http://www.foothill.fhda.edu/ast/index.htm
Fremont Peak SP The park also features an astronomical observatory with a 30-inch telescope, which is open for public programs on selected evenings. Observatory Programs April through October on moonless Saturday evenings starting at 8:00pm. http://www.fpoa.net/

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=564
Halls Valley Astronomy Group, Joseph Grant Santa Clara County Park Since 1995, the HVAG has conducted a summer starparty series at the Halley Hill Observatory. The park campground is often filled to capacity for some or all of these events and turn-out has been excellent. Please check our calendar for this years HHO events. http://www.hallsvalley.org/

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Autos

Blackhawk Automotive Museum - Danville The Museum presents the automobile as individual works of fine art and there is nothing on the black granite floors or against the black textured walls to detract from the flowing beauty of our 90–car exhibition. This ever–changing assemblage of automobiles has been selected for their intrinsic value and their artistic qualities, and each Automotive Treasure stands on its own merit. The Museum and its facilities are totally wheelchair–accessible, and the hours of operation are Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For GROUP TOUR information, please call 925.736.2277, ext. 236. http://www.blackhawkmuseum.org/
The Hays Antique Truck Museum is located at 1962 Hays Lane, near Interstate 5 and Road 102 in Woodland, California. Admission is adults, $6; Children 6 to 14, $4; under 6 is free. The museum's collection includes over 100 different makes of old trucks, representing 94 different manufacturers such as Fageol, Freightliner, Mack, Sterling, Oshkosh, Peterbilt, and the one and only 1916 Breeding Steam Truck. http://www.truckmuseum.org/
National Auto Museum Reno, NV You'll discover a century of automobiles: more than 220 antique, vintage, classic, special interest and one-of-a-kind wonders. http://www.automuseum.org/
Towe Auto Museum, Sacramento 2200 Front Street Sacramento, CA 95818; 916/442-6802 Opens 7 days a week from 10AM to 6PM. Admission is adults $7, HS students $3 and grade school students $2. Call for group rates. http://www.toweautomuseum.org/index.html

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Ships & Naval

Hyde Street Pier The pier area has several historic ships as well as the Maritime Museum. The pier is open daily, year-round, 9:30am-5pm (October 2-May 30) and 9:30-5:30pm (Memorial Day-October 1). Pier free; boarding pass for historic vessels: $5 adults, supervised children under 17 free. The museum has free admission. http://www.nps.gov/safr/local/top.html

Historic vessels located at Hyde Street Pier:

1886 square-rigger Balclutha
1895 schooner C.A. Thayer
1890 steam ferryboat Eureka
1891 scow schooner Alma
1907 steam tug Hercules
1914 paddlewheel tug Eppleton Hall

USS Hornet - Alameda Some vintage aircraft. Available for overnight outing (http://www.maritime.org/hnsa-hornet.htm)
SS Jeremiah O’Brien San Francisco Restored WWII Liberty Ship. Engines can be observed in operation on steaming weekend. Pier 45, Fisherman's Wharf. 441-3101 http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/
USS Pampanito San Francisco USS Pampanito (SS-383) is a World War II Balao class Fleet submarine museum and memorial that is open for visitors daily at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Overnight educational stays are available for all organized groups (schools, scouts, YMCA, etc.) which meet certain insurance requirements. http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm
USS Potomac, Jack London Square Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Floating White House" is now a National Historic Landmark and floating museum. Port of Oakland, FDR Pier (510)837-8256 http://www.usspotomac.org/
PTF-26 Osprey Fast Patrol Boat, Rio Vista PTF-26, "Liberty", was the last PTF built. PTFs, Fast Patrol Boats or Swift Boats, were the Vietnam War version of the famous WW II PT Boats. http://hnsa.org/ships/ptf26.htm

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Trains

California State Railroad Museum Sacramento Located in Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum is a complex of historic facilities and unique attractions. Widely regarded as one of North America’s finest and most visited railroad museums, there is something here for everyone! (http://www.csrmf.org/default.asp)
Nevada Northern Railway East Ely, Nevada 89315 The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is one of the few places in the world where you can get your hands on the throttle of either a steam or diesel locomotive. And what makes the Nevada Northern truly unique is the very rare opportunity to take the locomotive out onto the mainline! http://www.nevadanorthernrailway.net/
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park - Jamestown. Located in Jamestown, California, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is home to one of America’s last authentic, operating railroad roundhouses. Every Saturday and Sunday, April through October, ride behind an authentic steam locomotive on a train trip through California's scenic Gold Country! Trains depart from the Railtown Depot on-the-hour 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (http://www.csrmf.org/railtown/default.asp)
Roaring Camp, Felton See California's towering redwood forests from two historic railroads on your next visit to the San Francisco or Monterey Bay Areas. Travel by steam train up a narrow-gauge track through the Big Trees to Bear Mountain or by beach train down the scenic San Lorenzo River to the sunny beaches of Santa Cruz. It all happens on the Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton. http://www.roaringcamp.com/
Niles Canyon Railways The Pacific Locomotive Association, Inc. operates the Niles Canyon Railway as a living history museum interpreting the importance of our heritage railroads in the development of California and the nation. Trains depart from downtown SUNOL For One-Hour Round-Trip Scenic Rides http://www.ncry.org/home.htm
Portola RR Museum - Feather River At the Portola Railroad Museum in Portola, California! Our Run-A-Locomotive program allows you to rent a vintage diesel locomotive and operate it on the museum ground, under the close supervision of your own private instructor.
The Skunk Train, Fort Bragg You will travel from our depot in Fort Bragg to the Northspur station. Your trip will begin by crossing California State Highway 1 and then running along Pudding Creek. The train cuts through the beautiful redwoods along the entire route. You will pass over bridges and trestles with water running under them and through a 1,100 foot tunnel. You will even see a 1,000 year old redwood! http://www.skunktrain.com/

Military Vehicle Technology Foundation

This is a special museum housing a variety of military vehicles including tanks, personnel carriers, amphibious vehicles and much more. The museum is located in Portola Valley and tours are only available upon email requrest at this time.
http://www.milvehtechfound.com

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Last modified April 22, 2010