All applied art museums to visit in California

Discover the beauty of functional art at 15 applied art museums in California. These museums highlight the intersection of art and utility, showcasing pieces that are both beautiful and practical.

Are you interested in the intersection of art and craftsmanship? These are the applied art museums you should visit in California:

  1. Legion of Honor1

    Legion of Honor

     San Francisco, CA
    The Legion of Honor, originally known as the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, is an American art museum that was inaugurated in 1924. It is situated in the city of San Francisco, California. This museum is a part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and is a significant cultural landmark in the city.
  2. Spanish Village Art Center2

    Spanish Village Art Center

     San Diego, CA
    Visit the large San Diego community of 200 artists and their studios. See, touch and feel the arts or participate in the intriguing workshops.
  3. Ripley's Believe It Or Not3

    Ripley's Believe It Or Not

     San Francisco, CA
    Believe it or not, this museum houses a collection of the most extraordinary items. Two floors, 17 galleries, and more than 400 weird and quirky objects including, for example, duct tape art, a mummified foot, or statues made from toothpicks. The exhibition rooms are beautifully designed so they wou
  4. Mingei International Museum4

    Mingei International Museum

     San Diego, CA
    The Mingei International Museum is a public institution dedicated to the collection, conservation, and exhibition of folk art, craft, and design. As a non-profit organization, the museum's mission is to preserve and showcase the 'art of the people', a concept that is deeply rooted in its name, Mingei, a term coined by Japanese scholar Dr. Sōetsu Yanagi.
  5. Craft and Folk Art Museum5

    Craft and Folk Art Museum

     Los Angeles, CA
    Craft Contemporary, previously known as the Craft and Folk Art Museum, is a non-profit, non-collecting arts museum situated on the Museum Row on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. This museum is dedicated to showcasing contemporary craft, making it a unique institution on the West Coast of the United States.
  6. San Jose Museum of Quilts6

    San Jose Museum of Quilts

     San Jose, CA
    The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, located in Downtown San Jose, California, is a unique art museum that was established in 1977. It is the first museum in the United States that is solely dedicated to the art form of quilts and textiles.
  7. Craft Contemporary7

    Craft Contemporary

     Los Angeles, CA
    Craft Contemporary, previously known as the Craft and Folk Art Museum, is a non-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The museum is dedicated to the exhibition of contemporary craft, making it a unique destination for those interested in this specific art form. It does not have a permanent collection, instead focusing on rotating exhibitions that showcase the work of various artists.
  8. Malibu Lagoon Museum - Adamson House8

    Malibu Lagoon Museum - Adamson House

     Malibu, CA
    The Adamson House, historically known as Vaquero Hill, is a significant landmark located within the Malibu Lagoon State Beach park in Malibu, California. This historic house and its surrounding gardens offer a glimpse into the past, showcasing the architectural and cultural heritage of the region. The house is renowned for its extensive use of decorative ceramic tiles, earning it the nickname 'the Taj Mahal of Tile'.
  9. The Hand Fan Museum9

    The Hand Fan Museum

     Healdsburg, CA
    The Hand Fan Museum, situated in Healdsburg, California, holds the unique distinction of being the only museum in the United States dedicated to hand fans. This unique institution offers visitors a chance to explore a niche aspect of art and design, providing a unique perspective on cultural and historical trends through the lens of these functional yet decorative objects.
  10. Long Beach Museum of Art10

    Long Beach Museum of Art

     Long Beach, CA
    The Long Beach Museum of Art is situated in the scenic Bluff Park neighborhood of Long Beach, California. This location on Ocean Boulevard offers visitors not only a rich cultural experience but also a chance to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the area.
  11. FIDM Museum11

    FIDM Museum

     Los Angeles, CA
    The FIDM Museum is situated on the ground floor of the Los Angeles campus of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. It is home to a vast collection of over 12,000 items, including costumes, accessories, and textiles dating from the 18th century to the present day. The collection also includes film and theater costumes, providing a unique insight into the history of fashion and design.
  12. American Museum of Ceramic Art12

    American Museum of Ceramic Art

     Pomona, CA
    The American Museum of Ceramic Art, also known as AMOCA, is situated in Pomona, California. Established in 2003, this nonprofit organization is dedicated to the exhibition of both historic and contemporary ceramic art. The museum boasts a permanent collection of 10,000 objects and also hosts temporary rotating exhibitions, providing a comprehensive view of the ceramic art world.
  13. Art, Design & Architecture Museum13

    Art, Design & Architecture Museum

     Santa Barbara, CA
    The Art, Design & Architecture Museum, previously known as the University Art Museum, is situated on the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) in Goleta, California. This location offers visitors the opportunity to explore the museum within the vibrant academic environment of UCSB.
  14. 14

    Museum of Craft and Design

     San Francisco, CA
    A museum devoted to showcasing contemporary craft and design. Its exhibitions are primarily focused on everyday usage of design.
  15. 15

    Casa Dolores

     Santa Barbara, CA
    Casa Dolores, also known as the Center for the Study of the Popular Arts of Mexico, is an art museum situated at 1023 Bath Street in Santa Barbara, California. This location is easily accessible and offers a unique opportunity to explore Mexican popular arts.