All music museums to visit in California

Celebrate the universal language of music at 21 museums in California dedicated to musical heritage. These museums explore the history of music, instruments, and influential musicians.

Are you passionate about music and its history? Here are the top music museums in California:

  1. Grammy Museum1

    Grammy Museum

     Los Angeles, CA
    The Grammy Museum is a unique destination that offers an interactive and educational experience dedicated to the history and winners of the Grammy Awards. It provides a deep dive into the world of music, from the creative process to the technology of recording, and the history of the prestigious Grammy Awards. Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits, including behind-the-scenes live performances, seminars, classes, and musician meet-and-greets.
  2. Madame Tussauds San Francisco2

    Madame Tussauds San Francisco

     San Francisco, CA
    Madame Tussauds San Francisco is a renowned wax museum situated in the vibrant area of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California. This location is known for its bustling atmosphere and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. The museum offers a unique experience, allowing visitors to come face-to-face with lifelike wax figures of famous personalities.
  3. Yerba Buena Center For the Arts Gallery3

    Yerba Buena Center For the Arts Gallery

     San Francisco, CA
    The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) is a contemporary arts center located in San Francisco, California. It is a multi-disciplinary institution that celebrates local, national, and international artists. The center features visual art, performance, and film/video, providing a platform for diverse communities in the Bay Area.
  4. Children's Creativity Museum4

    Children's Creativity Museum

     San Francisco, CA
    The Children's Creativity Museum, located in Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco, California, is an interactive museum designed for children aged 2–12 years. It provides a unique and engaging environment where children can explore and express their creativity through various interactive exhibits and workshops.
  5. The Nethercutt Museum5

    The Nethercutt Museum

     Los Angeles, CA
    The Nethercutt Collection, an automobile museum in the USA, was founded by Jack Nethercutt and his wife Dorothy. The museum opened its doors to the public in August 1972, offering a unique insight into the history and evolution of automobiles.
  6. Skirball Cultural Center6

    Skirball Cultural Center

     Los Angeles, CA
    The Skirball Cultural Center houses a museum that hosts a variety of activities. These include regularly changing exhibitions, film events, music and theater performances, comedy shows, family activities, and literary and cultural programs. The diverse offerings cater to a wide range of interests, making it a versatile destination for visitors.
  7. Ira F. Brilliant Center For Beethoven Studies7

    Ira F. Brilliant Center For Beethoven Studies

     San Jose, CA
    The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies is a unique institution that serves as a museum, research center, and venue for lectures and performances. It is dedicated to the life and works of the renowned composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The center is located in the Martin Luther King Library of the San José State University in California.
  8. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts8

    Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts

     San Francisco, CA
    The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of Latino arts. Established in 1977, it is situated at 2868 Mission Street in the vibrant Mission District of San Francisco, California. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists interested in exploring the rich Latino culture and arts scene.
  9. Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco9

    Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco

     San Francisco, CA
    The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC) is a community-based, non-profit organization that was established in 1965. It is located in the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, specifically at 750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, California. The center serves as a hub for Chinese culture and heritage, offering a variety of programs and activities to the public.
  10. Martial Arts History Museum10

    Martial Arts History Museum

     Glendale, CA
    The Martial Arts History Museum, located in Burbank, California, is a unique institution in America dedicated to the history of martial arts. It provides an in-depth look into the evolution and impact of various martial arts forms, making it a fascinating destination for enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.
  11. Museum of Making Music11

    Museum of Making Music

     Carlsbad, CA
    The exhibits at the Museum of Making Music cover three main components of the music industry: making the instruments, providing the instruments, and using the instruments. This gives visitors a comprehensive understanding of the music industry from the creation of instruments to their use in creating music.
  12. Anderson Marsh State Historic Park12

    Anderson Marsh State Historic Park

     Lower Lake, CA
    Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is a unique blend of natural and cultural history. It serves as a nature reserve, preserving a tule marsh, archaeological sites of the Pomo people, and historic ranch structures. This combination of natural beauty and historical significance makes it a fascinating destination for visitors interested in both nature and history.
  13. Centro Cultural De La Raza13

    Centro Cultural De La Raza

     San Diego, CA
    The Centro Cultural de la Raza, located in Balboa Park, San Diego, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation, promotion, and education of Chicano, Mexicano, Native American, and Latino art and culture. The center supports and encourages the creative expression of the indigenous cultures of the Americas and is a member of the American Alliance of Museums.
  14. Oceanside Museum of Art14

    Oceanside Museum of Art

     Oceanside, CA
    The Oceanside Museum of Art, a fine arts museum, is situated at 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, California in northern San Diego County, California. This location is easily accessible and offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich art culture of southern California.
  15. Mexican Heritage Plaza15

    Mexican Heritage Plaza

     San Jose, CA
    The Mexican Heritage Plaza, also known as Centro Cultural de San José, is a cultural center dedicated to Chicano and Mexican-American heritage. It is located in the Mayfair neighborhood of East San Jose, California. This cultural center provides a space for the community to engage with and learn about the rich history and contributions of Chicano and Mexican-American culture.
  16. Buck Owens Crystal Palace16

    Buck Owens Crystal Palace

     Bakersfield, CA
    Buck Owens Crystal Palace, also known as the Crystal Palace and The Palace, is a music hall situated in Bakersfield, California. The venue was constructed by Buck Owens and opened its doors to the public in 1996. It serves as a performance venue primarily for country western music, although it has hosted other music genres as well.
  17. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens17

    Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens

     San Clemente, CA
    Casa Romantica, also known as the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, is a historic building and nonprofit organization situated in San Clemente, California. The center is dedicated to providing a variety of cultural programs to the public. As a historic site, it offers a unique glimpse into the past, while its status as a nonprofit organization ensures its commitment to enriching the community through culture and education.
  18. The Gibson House and Property18

    The Gibson House and Property

     Woodland, CA
    The Gibson House and property are owned by Yolo County and managed by Yoloarts. Yoloarts runs the Barn Gallery and the Yolo County Historical Collection is displayed at the Gibson House by the County. There are permanent exhibitions which look at the rural history between 1830 and 1930 and temporary
  19. El Centro Cultural De México19

    El Centro Cultural De México

     Santa Ana, CA
    El Centro Cultural de México, located in Santa Ana, Orange County, California, is a volunteer-run space that focuses on transnational projects. These projects aim to connect residents with communities across Mexico through arts, culture, and social justice initiatives.
  20. 20

    Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater

     Los Angeles, CA
    The Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater, also known as REDCAT, is a contemporary arts center located in downtown Los Angeles, California. It is situated within the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex and is dedicated to innovative visual, performing, and media arts. The center is interdisciplinary, meaning it encourages and facilitates collaboration between different artistic disciplines.
  21. 21

    FANHS Museum

     Stockton, CA
    The Filipino American Museum, also known as FAM, was a mobile museum based in New York City. It was known for its programming that showcased Filipino American arts, music, and culture. This unique museum offered a platform for the exploration and celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Filipino Americans.