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Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
165 Forest AvePacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 648-5716
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
17 reviews for Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Review Highlights
"There displays of stuffed birds and small mammals, as well..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Bonus: Don't miss the Whale Eyeball."
(in 6 reviews)
"...okay, I *get* that seeing taxidermy is creepy to some..."
(in 4 reviews)
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17 reviews in English
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Review from Tito Y.
Emeryville, CA
5/16/2011
This place is super. I went to an event, saw the museum, even saw my favorite clam* in display. For those that like other kinds of clams, the Pismo Clam is there on display too. Lots of wonderful artifiacts such as bones of the Killer Whale. There were also loads of stuffed birds, lots of sea life display and even a giant sculpture of a California Gray whale.
* my favorite clam is the "Washington Clam". Ill be you didn't know people might have a favorite clam.
free -
Review from James K.
Malibu, CA
Great experience! Both natural and historical learning. As a Chinese, I had a much deeper understanding of this city.
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Review from Andrea R.
4/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Our family has visited for over a decade and STILL (even our 11yo) find it relevant and enjoyable. (I visited with friends as far back as the early 90's during a college road trip).
It's not shiny and state of the art nor does it have a local/sustainable/organic fancy dining hall like Cal Academy of Sciences. It's not huge and expansive like the Field Museum in Chicago.
Here's what the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is..... charming, unpretentious, informative and innovative. Also, it's completely free. If you enjoy natural history and seeing native animals, birds (okay, I *get* that seeing taxidermy is creepy to some), insects, minerals, gems, flora and fauna as well as interesting rotating exhibits, then this is the place for you. If you have 30 minutes to spare and see something interesting, why not stop in look around and make a donation? The docents are lovely people as well.
If you're meandering in the "downtown" area of Pacific Grove, you just have to walk down Forest Avenue, stop at Central, turn left and there it is. Just look for the big whale in front. If you're inclined, keep walking down Forest to Ocean View Drive and walk along the water to Lover's Point (special to us as we were married there in the mid 90s!).
I love the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History because I'm squishy inside that way. It's not fancy, but it's a little space filled with history which is presented simply during a time chock full of high-tech information delivery. I guess I'm old fashioned and sentimental, but I love this place and I hope it continues to be there each time we visit. -
Review from Foam R.
Monterey, CA
11/2/2010
I love our museum in PG. Although it is changing at the moment. I noticed some of the exhibits are being moved around, and there is remodeling going on. I'm hoping this doesn't change it's character of a great sleepy small town museum. I also can't think of a location that has so many preserved specimens of animals on display. It is amazing to see. And the small gift shop is always great for people in town and out of town who want a keepsake that is uniquely PG.
In the past though there's always been different types of exhibits in the gallery. Lots of interesting subjects, and a few perhaps not as interesting. They've also been good curators of Pacific Grove's own history with the library upstairs, and the annual exhibits for the Feast of Lanterns.
Again, I'm hoping the remodel doesn't try to fix something that isn't broken. But we'll have to wait and see. -
Review from Kerry D.
San Anselmo, CA
2/8/2011
Taxidermy-R-Us!
Take the family here and learn all about the "native" critters of the California Coast. The Docent was very friendly and helpful. It is free to the public will a minimal suggested donation. We made a 20 minute stop on our way to the Butterfly sanctuary.
Bonus: Don't miss the Whale Eyeball!
Geocache nearby! -
Review from Steve L.
7/11/2008 2 photos
In my search for a coffee shop in Pacific Grove, I found this place by accident. I decided to forgo my search for this coffee shop (Central Ave. Bakery, now closed), park my car, and drop into this place. Plus, it's free!
An old building, and relatively small on the inside, this museum has displays of animals and some geology that is native to the Monterey Bay area. There displays of stuffed birds and small mammals, as well as some sea life. A great deal of the displays are dedicated to the Monarch butterflies, who make their pilgrimage here on annual basis. Some of the displays were donated by some of the patrons who live in the area.
Easily passed by, but worth a one hour or less visit. A good place for adullts as well as kids. -
Review from Rinky N.
East Bay
11/23/2006 1 photo
We have driven by this museum many times over the years but this we decided to stop in this time and we are so glad we did!
Although it may not be glitzy enough for some folks, it is jam packed with exhibits on the natural history and native people of the area.
Here you'll find beautiful Pomo baskets , stuffed birds and their eggs from hummingbirds to condors to everything in between, butterflies
and historical information as well as a revolving art exhibit. There is also a small children's area with hands' on activities.
It is all FREE! Plus they have a small, but very nice gift shop. -
Review from Jill O.
Honolulu, HI
5/27/2010
I don't think I'd visited since a 5th grade (I think it was 5th grade) field trip where all I really remembered was taking pictures on the giant whale outside.
But it was nice to have a random re-return adventure... which I did.... the day before yesterday.
The museum was small but entertaining. Definitely worth a peek in if an hour or so to while away in PG or have kids.
As other reviewers have mentioned, it's action packed with taxidermy animals exhibits, some of which are displayed in life-like action poses. While never grotesque, I was a little surprised to see things like a falcon with its talons at a willet's throat. For the most part, though, the museum boasts a bird which which is filled with nearly every type of bird to have ever graced the shores of the central coast.
In addition to the stuffed animals, there was an extensive shell & mineral specimen display. Some of which were quite beautiful.
Some of the highlights of my trip were the whale room which featured lots of buttons to push which played back whale songs, etc & a preserved baleen whale eyeball. They also featured a jumbo squid which had been donated to the museum by "Doc" Ed Ricketts.
I missed the nest that Amanda S. noted, but if I'm in Monterey in the near future and have more time to kill, I'm now officially curious and will be sure to check it out.
Overall, it's a decent museum considering it's size and a nice option for something to do if you're traveling with kids. -
Review from Alice L.
Daly City, CA
9/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
Don't expect the CA Academy of Sciences, think it's storage room. It's a kitschy (almost creepy) little place, with two or three main rooms that contain cases full of taxidermy Pacific Coast wildlife. I almost feel sorry for them (aside from being killed and stuffed) when they're crammed into glass cases with years of dust to obscure any beauty they have left. I'm sorry little fellas.
On the up side, it's free, so I understand they do what they can. (So please donate a few bucks when you go) It's in charming Pacific Grove, so grab some brunch, then head over to this place. The nest in the garden is at least worth a gander. -
Review from Tim H.
7/28/2009
Given the size of PG, this place is somewhat of a revelation.
I'm guessing there was a local taxidermist who donated his or her life's work to the museum as everywhere you look, be it the local wildlife, local geology, local sea life or local history there's a stuffed animal staring right back at you.
So much more scientific and so much less gratuitous than the Bass Pro Shop equivalent.
The birds section in particular is full of specimens.
Interesting place - definitely worth a visit. -
Review from Uncle Fishbits Aeneas X.
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
9/15/2008
Yay! When I lived there I always thought it was odd to have a museum in the way of me going to where I needed to go.
Then I realized... on a free day of having fun doing nothing....
whammo....
I walk into this place and have a blast. A SOLID, GREAT MUSEUM... which isn't only super cool (yay science) but it was surprisingly well done as well. -
Review from Winane L.
Alameda, CA
2/8/2008
Excellent little museum. Great whale and butterfly exhibits. Those were my favorites.
It seems small on the outside but definitely packed with all kinds of local history and doings.
I think adults and children will find something that will interests them. -
Review from Amanda S.
Pacific Grove, CA
5/3/2010
I am giving this place 5 stars for effort. On continual effort to keep this place afloat. They have a hidden location and nothing very interesting. I can not see any reason why anyone traveling would note this place in their itinerary. I did however go there this weekend after leaving the library (just to pacify my 4 year old) and was yet again bored stiff with the dusty taxadermed animals.
ALTHOUGH!
In the back they have this human sized swallows nest. It has pads for seating and everything. I don't know what artist made this masterpiece. -
Review from Angelica B.
Monterey, CA
1/7/2011
This museum has been here at least since I was a little girl! Today I took my 4 year old twins..they had a blast and loved to see all the birds and especially the snakes! they were a little scared about how the animals may have died! It was worth the trip and will go again.
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Review from justin p.
Walnut Creek, CA
10/13/2007
Much cooler exhibits that I had anticipated. Check it out! Lots of ecology-oriented stuff and some big whale bones, too.
Listed in: Parks
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Review from Russell S.
Carmel, CA
4/20/2008
very interesting place! it is a city-run museum, so it is free. Very neat exhibits marine nature to birds to Native American history in the area. Two stories and I think that there is something for everyone here in terms of interest. And can I please just stress: IT'S FREE!
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Review from Randy M.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2009
The biggest upsides are that it's free and that it's quite walkable from Lover's Point Park and the downtown strip of stores and restaurants. I think I breezed through here in about 15 minutes since it was about to close. I'm glad I got to see it, but I'm not likely to come back.
