8 Weird CA Museums To Visit

When you choose to spend your time and money to visit a museum, perhaps fine art and history come to mind. Then again, if you want to see some of the most intriguing collections of ephemera and obscureity we've found eight that might entice you right here in sunny Claifornia.

1. Crochet Museum: 61855 Highway 62, Joshua Tree

They say the Crochet Museum in Joshua Tree is world-famous. When you peek inside the lime green former photomat, you'll find a plethora of crocheted artifacts, many of which are the work of resident and curator Shari Elf. Inside, you'll find crocheted animals, a nativity scene, food items, and other lovely creations displayed on shelves.

Elf says she began collecting in the 90s, after purchasing the photo mat. She painted it bright green, moved it to Joshua Tree, and set up her collection under the watchful eye of "Bunny," a crocheted Alligator.

The museum is free, and "always open even though we might not be there."

A resident says of the museum, "Joshua Tree is a quirky little town. A lot of fun little places like that."

Ideal for lovers of kitchy stops and crochet fans.

2. Museum Of Neon Art: Located at 216 S. Brand Boulevard in Glendale

There is nothing like seeing brightly illuminated neon signs dating back to the 1920s and beyond. Come for Neon Night Walks or to see original signs like The Brown Derby, and more. Visitors will even learn how to bend neon.

"This is where science meets art," a spokesperson for the museum said. The museum is also available for special events.

3. Museum of Jurassic Technology, located at 9341 Venice Boulevard, in Culver City

Welcome to the Museum of Jurassic Technology, where you've only dreamed of seeing such eccentric curiosities of art, science and natural history. Reservations are highly recommended at this mind-bending museum, which opened in 1994.

In July, it was almost destroyed by fire, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The caretaker used fire extinguishers to save it, according to LAFD.

"The public museum is a collection of specimens and other objects of interest to the scholar, as well as the casual visitor," according to museum officials.

Guests have called the Museum of Jurassic Technology "brilliantly absurd," and photos are not allowed past the lobby. Other reviews say the collection is "bizarre" and "awe-inspiring." Be sure to visit and make your reservations online in advance.

4. Institute of Illegal Images: LSD Blotter Museum, located near 20th Street on Mission Street, San Francisco

Inside a Victorian mansion in San Francisco, sits a psychedelic collection of LSD blotter art, curated by owner Mark McCloud. The owner is rumored to have known Albert Hoffman, the creator of LSD.

"From seeing him talk, I'd say he's permafried," visitor Bryce Vietz writes on Facebook.

Inside the institute, McCloud has amassed 30,000 tabs of acid, all framed behind glass and hidden from natural light, according to www.DoubleblindMag.com

It's been called a "kaleidoscope of creativity," and a time capsule to hippie culture, and the museum is a nice trip, if you can find it.

5. Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment, 21 Washington Street, Oakland.

Known as the MADE Museum, this building is dedicated to preserving video games as an art form.

This is the Bay Area's only all-playable video game museum, "in fact we are the only one in the world," a spokesperson for the museum says. They have amassed a collection spanning from the 1970s through the early 2000s, all of which run on original hardware, they say.

"The MADE has offered free classes in game design, programming, and digital creativity as part of our mission to make tech education accessible to everyone," they say. Learn more online at: www.themade.org.

Stroll by on Sat., Sept. 26 for a peek:

6. The Pacific Pinball Museum, located at 1510 Webster Street, Alameda.

Just named the Best of 2025 for Bay Area parents, the Pacific Pinball Museum is the best date night, kids' party venue, and local family entertainment spot, according to a recent poll. They have over 100 playable pinball machines from the 1940s to the 2020s, as well as freeplay Jukeboxes, exhibits and more.

There's also Pinball and Pints to celebrate Oktoberfest coming up on October 5. They teach children how to play pinball in their Little Flippers Club. This is a "timeless escape" for any who enter, for the love of old school games.

7. Temecula Little History Museum, located at 32075 Wolf Store Road, Temecula

This history center is a treasure trove of Southern California history, including a full life-sized replica of the Butterfield Stagecoach that ran through this area from 1858 to 1861.

"Climb aboard a replica of the stagecoach, crank a mechanical bellows on a blacksmith's forge, and see how an antique rope-making device can turn twine into rope for use on the ranch," the website says. This little museum is a must for visitors to the Vail Ranch Headquarters, home to numerous restaurants, shops and restored to honor the stage that ran through the area.

8. The Museum of Make Believe, 1590 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

"The Museum of Make Believe is dedicated to preserving the timeless art of storytelling in a uniquely creative environment that is both ethereal and enchanting. Created by a small volunteer team of artists and visionaries, it offers a truly magical twist on the way contemporary art is experienced. Prepare to be transported to a place of magic and mystery where you can experience the charm of nostalgia, the power of storytelling, and the spark of imagination," the museum's website states.

A new traveling exhibit, "Ghost Stories and Fairy Tales" is bringing Halloween fun to this beach town. This is a one-of-a-kind outing, and not to be missed. Learn more at www.museumofmakebelieve.org.

Down the Rabbit Hole: A Famously Weird Museum Battles To Rebuild

The Eaton Fire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes in Los Angeles County this year also claimed the location and collection of the famed Bunny Museum on Jan. 7. The owners, Candace Frazee and Steve Lubanski, continue to amass their collection and are rebuilding on their original site.

Their GoFundMe is still collecting and has raised over $80,000 as they work to reopen.