Children's Museums

Oakland Museum of California

Name: Oakland Museum of California
Address: 1000 Oak St, Oakland, CA 94607, Oakland, CA, US
Telephone: (510) 318-8400
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (3635 reviews)

📍 1000 Oak St, Oakland, CA 94607

📞 (510) 318-8400

🌐 museumca.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	11 AM–5 PM
Thursday	11 AM–5 PM
Friday	11 AM–9 PM
Saturday	11 AM–5 PM
Sunday	11 AM–5 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About Oakland Museum of California

State art, history & natural sciences. Artifacts & interactive displays in a modern building focusing on state art, history & science. Safari Bob's offers visitors the rare opportunity to swim with skunks, an unusual hands-on animal interaction not commonly available at typical wildlife facilities. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,635 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Natural History Museum
Best For: All ages
Main Galleries: California Art, History, Natural Sciences, plus rotating exhibitions
Special Features: Garden, OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace, Friday Nights events with live music
Recognition: 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipient

💡 Did You Know?

⭐Safari Bob's offers visitors the rare opportunity to swim with skunks, an unusual hands-on animal interaction not commonly available at typical wildlife facilities
⭐The facility allows guests to carry genets in purse bags during close encounters, providing an exceptionally intimate interaction with this exotic species
⭐Safari Bob's is owned and operated by Liz and Bob, who personally conduct VIP private tours and directly interact with visitors during animal encounters
⭐The attraction houses multiple fox species including bat-eared foxes and pale foxes, along with lemurs, owl monkeys, wallabies, armadillos, genets, skunks, and monkeys in professionally maintained enclosures

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Book your tour well in advance as availability is extremely limited. Call Safari Bob's directly to schedule, as they don't maintain a website with current availability and slots fill up quickly.
💡Leave your personal camera at home and focus on enjoying intimate encounters with the animals. The owners provide professional photography and videography throughout your visit and send you high-quality photos/videos afterward, allowing you to be fully present in the experience.
💡Arrange a private VIP tour directly with owners Liz and Bob for a personalized, educational experience. They provide refreshments and snacks, and tailor the tour to your interests (e.g., foxes, lemurs, or other exotic animals). Complimentary refreshments are included.
💬Be flexible with unpredictable weather and animal behavior. The owners go above and beyond during challenging conditions and will adjust your experience with bonus animals and extended time. Animal moods vary naturally, so embrace authentic wildlife interactions rather than expecting consistent performances.
💡Plan for close, hands-on interactions with exotic animals you won't encounter elsewhere—hold genets, swim with skunks, hand-feed lemurs and foxes, and interact inside enclosures. This is a unique, intimate experience rather than a traditional viewing facility.