Children's Museums
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
📍 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–4 PM |
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Best For
- All ages, families, school groups
- Highlights
- 291 bird species display, 5-year Jade exhibit, fossil dig pit, native plant garden, Ohlone basketry
- Admission
- $12 adults, $8 youth/seniors/military, free for Monterey County residents
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 10am-4pm, closed Mon-Tue
💡 Did You Know?
- The Birds of Monterey County exhibit features 409 mounted birds representing 291 species, including a California condor specimen
- The museum offers completely free admission to all Monterey County residents with valid ID, plus free admission for active military families from Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Visitors can take home fossils from the museum's interactive fossil pit digging exhibit
- The Jade Beneath the Sea exhibit is a 5-year-long exhibit dedicated to Big Sur jade, representing an extended curatorial focus on regional geological significance
- The museum offers hands-on weaving stations focused on Rumsen Ohlone basketry, connecting visitors to indigenous cultural heritage of the local region
💬 What Visitors Say
- Plan 1-2 hours for your visit depending on reading depth. The museum is compact but well-organized with unique stations, so you can experience the highlights in an hour or explore thoroughly in two.
- Monterey County residents get free admission with valid ID, and veterans receive free entry during summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day). If visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium within 48 hours, bring your ticket for a $2 museum discount.
- Don't miss the bird exhibit (291 species with 409 mounted birds) and the interactive 'Wonder' gallery upstairs—these are highlighted as visitor favorites. The fossil pit and hands-on weaving stations are especially engaging for children.
- The museum is located blocks from the beach and minutes from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, with unlimited free parking across the street in Jewell Park. Combine it with nearby attractions and the adjacent Mexican restaurant for a full outing.
- Toddlers and young children love the life-size taxidermy animals, coloring stations, and interactive exhibits. The outdoor gardens with native plants and butterfly garden provide additional engagement, though note that food and drink are only allowed in garden areas.
About Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Free exhibitions on regional wildlife. Nature museum offering exhibits on birds, insects, plants & other wildlife, plus free admission.
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