Seeking museum recommendations...

[Danville Mike]

Hi All,

Whenever I travel, I like to visit museums. What museums you would recommend in the American West?

Thanks,
Mike

[roadie]

In Los Angeles, I love the Getty Center, the location, architecture,
gardens and art make it a special museum.

One quirky museum in Los Angeles is the Museum of Jurassic
Technology (http://www.mjt.org/). Mixture of art, "science" and humor, spoken with real authority.

Alvin

[JimW]

Hey Mike,

A few years ago my in-laws were visiting from Michigan, and my wife and I and our two young sons took them up to Old Town Sacramento to see the California State Railroad Museum (http://californiastaterailroadmuseum.org/doc.asp?id=286).

Besides the museum being really neat, Old Town Sacramento was incredible. This whole part of town felt like we had stepped out of an H.G. Wells time machine. I love old architecture - especially the look of old town main streets that have not changed the building facades since they were originally built. I got my fill of these in Old Sacramento. There are tons of really cool shops and nice restaurants all through the few blocks of Old Sacramento.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/Train%20Museum/IMG_0225.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/Train%20Museum/IMG_0226.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/Train%20Museum/IMG_0227.jpg

The Train Museum was simply awe inspiring. It is loaded with dozens of locomotives from all different periods of train travel throughout California.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/Train%20Museum/IMG_0210.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/Train%20Museum/IMG_0214.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/Train%20Museum/IMG_0219.jpg

And an extra treat for the watch buff in me, were the original railroad pocket watches on display throughout the museum.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/Train%20Museum/IMG_0216.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/Train%20Museum/IMG_0217.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/Train%20Museum/IMG_0222.jpg

Mike, if you have not been to the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento before, give me a call and we can go together. I'd like to get some better photos and do a user submitted story here on OpenRoad.TV.

[Danville Mike]

Hi Jim,

I have not been to the railroad museum. It looks like great fun! I'd love to go up there to do a story.

Thanks,
Mike

[roadie]

From the SF Bay Area, you can make it a real train adventure
by catching the Amtrak Capitol Corridor (http://www.capitolcorridor.org/) line to Sacramento.

Amtrak drops you off next to Old Sac and the California State
Railroad Museum. It's a short walk from the train station to
Old Sac.

Alvin

[CarrieTho]

Wow, the railroad museum looks like perfect family visit. :)

[JimW]

The train museum in Old Sacramento is definitely a must see family visit. It ranks up there with Safari West in Santa Rosa.

[roadie]

Here's another museum suggestion, the Blackhawk Automotive
Museum (http://www.blackhawkmuseum.org/) in Danville, CA.

They have an amazing collection of cars. I'm not really into
classic/historical cars, but anyone who sees these cars can
appreciate the artistic designs and cars from a bygone era.

Cost is $10 for adults, $8 if you're a KQED or AAA member.

Some photos from the museum:
http://atenpo.smugmug.com/photos/358456457_phKDF-M.jpg

http://atenpo.smugmug.com/photos/358456602_MKEXL-M.jpg

http://atenpo.smugmug.com/photos/358456387_A83ZL-M.jpg

http://atenpo.smugmug.com/photos/359624785_7NxKD-M.jpg

[roadie]

SulekhaYP, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. It was fun to shoot
at the museum as they have such a beautiful collection.

Photography is allowed, but no tripods or flash photography.

It was not very crowded on the Saturday that we were there, so
we could take as much time to admire the mobile works of art.

Alvin