Marin County museums come in a variety of styles and formats. Typically, museums devote energy towards the display and preservation of objects that people find fascinating to consider. Art galleries, roadside curiosity exhibits and educational interactive displays are all types of San Francisco Bay Area museums. In Marin County, it is possible for residents and visitors to explore historic landmarks, working nature preserves and many traditional styles of history-oriented facilities that are devoted to preserving artifacts.

Visit Sausalito for Marin County Art Galleries

Sausalito holds the majority of Marin County art galleries. This community hosts one of America's largest art shows each year. The Sausalito Art Festival is held over Labor Day weekend; local art galleries, Sausalito boutiques and specialty shops display examples of high-quality art forms during all months of the year. Whenever people are searching for art-oriented Marin County galleries or artist displays, the whole town of Sausalito is the place to consider for a fun-filled adventure inside of a real California artisan community.

Museums Options Are Plentiful in Marin County:

Nearby to Sausalito, many types of indoor and outdoor museum displays can be found. Today, with current budget concerns causing a variety of governmental cutbacks, it is always wise to confirm that your choices in Marin County museums are open before driving to the destination. In the greater Bay Area, it is always advisable to dress in layered clothing to be ready for all types of weather. Cell phone services are often spotty in nature-filled locations; sturdy walking shoes are advisable in most park settings.

Museums, Exhibits and Displays Nearby to Sausalito:

Audubon Canyon Ranch: Martin Griffin Preserve was formally called The Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. Seasonal displays are offered along with wildlife-oriented histories and information. Volunteer positions are available. Groups are welcome. Call ahead for driving directions and details about current hours and public events.

Distance from Sausalito: About 8 miles.

Audubon Canyon Ranch
4900 Highway One
Stinson Beach, California 94970
Phone: (415) 868-1699

Angel Island State Park: Camp Reynolds was established on Angel Island in 1863. Today, Angel Island is a California State Park that offers an interesting indoor-outdoor museum setting that is enjoyable for all ages. Due to recent funding concerns, it is best to call ahead to determine Angel Island State Park hours. Jackets are suggested.

Distance from Sausalito: About 2 miles.

Angel Island State Park
P.O. Box 318
Belvedere-Tiburon, California 94920
Phone: (415) 435-5390

Bay Area Discovery Museum: The large Bay Area Discovery Museum offers a changing line-up of displays, shows for the public and classes that are designed to please museum lovers of all ages. Call ahead for current schedule of events, show tickets, public hours and for information related to summertime youth activities.

Distance from Sausalito: In town, nearby to the Golden Gate Bridge supports.

Bay Area Discovery Museum
557 McReynolds Road
Sausalito, Marin County, California 94965
Phone: (415) 435-5390

Bay Model Museum: This is an exciting huge working replica of the waterways in and nearby to the San Francisco Bay. The visitor center offers changing exhibits and displays that are appropriate for all ages. The Sausalito Art Show volunteers meet in the visitor center at this facility. It is always fun to call ahead for current schedule of events.

Distance from Sausalito: In town.

Bay Model Museum
2100 Bridgeway
Sausalito, California
Phone: (415) 332-3870

Bear Valley Visitor Center: This facility has changing displays devoted to the early Miwok Indians, local ranching operations, regional plant life, historic shipwrecks and more. The Bear Valley Visitor Center offers thought-provoking insights into the many types of activities that have resulted in our modern lifestyles in Marin County.

Distance from Sausalito: About 22 miles.

Bear Valley Visitor Center|
Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes, California 94956
Phone: (415) 464-5100

Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society: This organization operates China Cabin, Old St. Hilary's Church, Belvedere Art & Garden Center and more. For up-to-date information about all Marin County landmarks, call these friendly people for details.

Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society
P.O. Box 1073
Belvedere-Tiburon, California 94920
Phone: (415) 435-1853

Bolinas Museum: The Bolinas Museum offers a variety of displays devoted to local artists, interesting attic finds and local historic events. Call for hours and a listing of current displays. This small museum is appropriate for all ages. Bolinas Art Gallery is located nearby at 52 Wharf Road and features an interesting collection of unique art.

Distance from Sausalito: About 12 miles.

Bolinas Museum
48 Wharf Road
Bolinas, Marin County, California 94924
Phone: (415) 868-0607

Distance from Sausalito: About 9 miles.

California Center for Wildlife
76 Albert Park Lane (P.O. Box 150957)
San Rafael, California 94915
Phone: (415) 454-6961

China Camp State Park: China Camp State Park is on the site of an 1880s shrimp-fishing village that was operated by people from Canton, China. Educational displays and a museum are offered within this California Park. Call ahead to determine park hours; due to budget concerns, hours are subject to change. Boat access is available.

Distance from Sausalito: About 9 miles.

China Camp State Park
101 Peacock Gap Trail (Route 1, Box 244)
San Rafael, California 94901
Phone: (415) 456-0766

Emmeline Craig Collection: When people are passing through Bolinas, the Emmeline Craig Collection of artwork and trivia is worth seeing. Park at the gas station on Wharf Road and follow the signs that are posted in the parking lot.

Distance from Sausalito: About 12 miles.

Emmeline Craig Collection
6 Wharf Road
Bolinas, California 94924

Falkirk Cultural Center: Falkirk Cultural Center is operated by the City of San Rafael and housed in a beautiful Victorian-era mansion. Upstairs, there is an interesting contemporary art display. This location is often used for weddings, poetry readings and community gatherings. It is wise to call ahead to determine hours and closure dates.

Distance from Sausalito: About 9 miles.

Falkirk Cultural Center
1408 Mission Avenue
San Rafael, California
Phone: (415) 486-3328

Gallery Route One: Gallery Route One is an art gallery that hosts an unusual 'Box Show' fundraiser each year. Boxes are decorated, displayed and auctioned to the highest bidder. The 'Box Show' display is reminiscent of the old curiosity museum displays that were popular to find along highways before the first Great Depression.

Distance from Sausalito: About 22 miles.

Gallery Route One
11101 State Route 1 #101
Point Reyes Station, California 94956
Phone: (415) 663-1347

Jack Mason Museum: Jack Mason (1911-1986) founded an informal museum inside of his Inverness home. This local museum offers an unusual glimpse into Marin County history. The Mason home was built in 1893; today the Mason house is packed with interesting objects and stories from yesteryear. Call for more information.

Distance from Sausalito: About 24 miles.

Jack Mason Museum
15 Park Avenue
Inverness, California 94937
Phone: (415) 669-1099

Kenneth C. Patrick NPS Visitor Center: The National Park Service maintains the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center as a small maritime museum. This museum is located on Drakes Beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore district. The fascinating sea-oriented displays are available to the public almost every day of the year. An annual sand sculpture contest happens beside this location on Labor Day weekend.

Distance from Sausalito: About 24 miles.

Kenneth C. Patrick NPS Visitor Center
Point Reyes National Seashore at Drakes Beach
Point Reyes, California 94956
Phone: (415) 669-1250

Marin History Museum: The Marin County Historical Society hosts a variety of changing displays at their Marin History Museum. The Historical Society also holds weekly lectures and monthly events that are available to the public. For a current list of Marin History Museum attractions, call this museum during daytime business hours.

Distance from Sausalito: About 9 miles.

Marin Historical Society & History Museum
1125 B Street
San Rafael, California 94901
(415) 454-8538

Marin Headlands Visitor Center: The Marin Headlands Visitor Center is maintained by the National Park Service. This small museum, snack shop and information center is housed inside of the old chapel. There are interactive displays devoted to the use of the Marin Headlands area throughout the ages.

Distance from downtown Sausalito: about 1.5 miles.

Marin Headlands Visitor Center at
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
948 Fort Barry Road
Sausalito, California 94965
Phone: (415) 331-1540

Milk & Honey Art Gallery: This unique art gallery is devoted to cookies, milk and honey-related art creations and general artist showings. This interesting almost-museum is fun for all ages to visit. Call for current events and seasonal information.

Distance from Sausalito: About 4 miles.

Milk & Honey Art Gallery
549 Edgewood Avenue
Mill Valley, California 94941
Phone: (415) 383-7580

Mill Valley: Art Start: This is an interactive art studio for children. Age-appropriate museum-style creative art activities are offered for children to explore; group sizes are limited. Call for details. Marin County visitors are welcome. Art Start facilities are located between Sycamore and Miller Avenues, near downtown Mill Valley.

Distance from Sausalito: About 4 miles.

Mill Valley:Art Start
45 Camino Alto, #108
Mill Valley, California 94941
Phone: (415) 388-8336

Mission San Rafael Arcangel: This beautiful old 1817 mission/parish will be celebrating its 200th birthday soon. Mission San Rafael Arcangel is an active parish location that does not mind visitors stopping in to admire their architectural elements, old stained glass windows and other beautiful works of art. Call for up-to-date information about current Mission San Rafael services, clubs, events and public activities.

Distance from Sausalito: About 9 miles.

Mission San Rafael Arcangel
1104 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, California 94901
(415) 454-8141

Miwok Park: Marin Museum of the American Indian: This cultural museum was founded in 1967 as rapid growth in the Bay area produced thousands of artifacts from local construction sites. Today, this interesting museum features rotating displays and exhibits of Miwok Indian artifacts and treasures associated with other California early inhabitants. Miwok Park Museum offers group tours, educational materials and classes.

Distance from Sausalito: About 17 miles.

Miwok Park: Marin Museum of the American Indian
2200 Novato Boulevard (P.O. Box 864)
Novato, California 94948
Phone: (415) 897-4064

Mount Tamalpais State Park Visitor Center: This small museum location is on the East Peak, top of Mount Tamalpais. This California State Park visitor center offers snacks, educational materials and information about the general area. The museum displays are devoted to the days when the train reached the top of Mount Tamalpais.

Distance from Sausalito: About 4 miles.

Mount Tamalpais State Park Visitor Center
801 Panoramic Highway
Mill Valley, California 94941
Phone: (415) 258-2410 Leave message for a return call. Operating hours can vary.

National Audubon Society:

Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary: The Lyford house was originally built in 1876 in the Strawberry Point area and moved to the Richardson Bay Audubon Sanctuary site. This beautiful old home is decorated in appropriate fashion with items and elements that might have been found in the home when it was new. Call for hours.

Distance from Sausalito: About 12 miles.

Richardson Bay Audubon Center: Lyford House
376 Greenwood Beach Road
Belvedere-Tiburon, California 94920
Phone: (415) 388-2524

Old St Hilary's Church & Wildflower Preserve: This quaint gothic-style tiny church building was built in 1888 as a railroad worker house of worship. The lands surrounding the church are a wildflower haven that includes the rare plant species: Tiburon Paintbrush, Tiburon Buckwheat, black jewel flowers and Marin Dwarf Flax. The church is furnished with appropriate period furniture; most donated in memory of others.

Distance from Sausalito: About 12 miles.

Old St. Hilary's Church & Wildflower Preserve
Esperanza Street at Mar West Street
Belvedere-Tiburon, California 94920
Phone: (415) 435-1853

Olompali State Historic Park: The Olompali State Historic Park is located about 3.5 miles north of Novato. This interesting park changed hands many times before the State of California became the owner. Rock Band: The Grateful Dead owned this park briefly during the 1960s. There are historic buildings and very old building foundations on display at this location. Call ahead for hours and news about closures. Olompali Park is called Rancho Olompali on the Register of Historic Places in California.

Distance from Sausalito: About 20 miles.

Olompali State Park
8901 Redwood Highway
Novato, California 94948
Phone: (415) 892-3383

Point Reyes Bird Observatory Visitor Center: Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) offers facility tours, interactive displays and historic information related to local birds. This fascinating Palomarin Field Station and bird banding facility is located at the south end of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Call for current hours and information.

Distance from Sausalito: About 10 miles.

Point Reyes Bird Observatory Visitor Center
Follow signs on Mesa Road
Bolinas, California 94970
Phone: (415) 868-0655

Point Reyes Lighthouse: The Point Reyes Lighthouse offers appropriate styles of museum displays at the site of an old lighthouse. Visitors can expect to see displays of old photographs, the lighthouse rooms and interactive Park Service history presentations. This facility closes for safety on extra-windy days, Call ahead to learn about exhibits, hours and special events. A 'touch' table of historic items is available for all to handle.

Distance from Sausalito: About 24 miles.

Note: There are over 300 steps to climb; jackets and comfortable shoes are suggested.

Point Reyes Station
27999 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
Inverness, California 94937
Phone: (415) 669-1534

Railroad and Ferry Depot Museum: After the Northwestern Pacific Railroad stopped running to Tiburon in 1967, the 1880s train depot was turned into a museum during the 1990s. An exact replica model train describes the early town setting and the train Master's family quarters are recreated in the upper level of the building. Children always enjoy a trip to the Tiburon Railroad and Ferry Depot Museum.

Distance from Sausalito: About 12 miles.

Railroad and Ferry Depot Museum
1920 Paradise Drive
Belvedere-Tiburon, California 94920