All photography museums to visit in California

Capture the essence of photography at 21 museums in California dedicated to this visual art form. These museums showcase historical and contemporary photographs, equipment, and techniques.

Are you a photography enthusiast? These are the best photography museums in California:

  1. The Getty Center1

    The Getty Center

     Los Angeles, CA
    The Getty Center, situated in Brentwood, a district in the west of Los Angeles, serves as the headquarters of the J. Paul Getty Trust. Since 1997, it has been home to the majority of the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection. This makes it a significant location for those interested in exploring a vast array of art pieces.
  2. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art2

    San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

     San Francisco, CA
    The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, also known as SFMOMA, is a significant modern art museum and a landmark in the city of San Francisco. It was established in 1935, making it the first museum on the West Coast dedicated solely to 20th-century art. This historical significance adds to the museum's appeal for tourists interested in modern art and the cultural history of San Francisco.
  3. Cable Car Museum3

    Cable Car Museum

     San Francisco, CA
    The Cable Car Museum is located in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, California. This museum is free to enter, making it an accessible option for tourists of all budgets. It offers a unique insight into the history and workings of the city's iconic cable car system.
  4. Japanese American National Museum4

    Japanese American National Museum

     Los Angeles, CA
    The Japanese American National Museum is situated in the heart of Los Angeles, California. Specifically, it is nestled in the vibrant Little Tokyo area, which is conveniently located near downtown. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists who are exploring the city.
  5. Oakland Museum of California5

    Oakland Museum of California

     Oakland, CA
    The Oakland Museum of California is a highly regarded institution in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering visitors the opportunity to explore art, history, and natural sciences. Located between Lake Merritt and downtown Oakland, the museum houses over 1.9 million objects, including fundamental works of art, historical and ethnographic objects, natural specimens, and photographs.
  6. Santa Barbara Museum of Art6

    Santa Barbara Museum of Art

     Santa Barbara, CA
    The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, also known as SBMA, is situated in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, California. This museum, which was established in 1941, is a significant cultural landmark in the city. It offers visitors a chance to explore a wide range of art collections from different periods and regions.
  7. Museum of Latin American Art7

    Museum of Latin American Art

     Long Beach, CA
    MOLAA is situated in downtown Long Beach, California. The museum is housed in a modern structure designed by Mexican architect Manuel Rosen. It features four galleries, a contemporary project space, and an outdoor sculpture garden. These spaces provide a diverse and dynamic environment for visitors to explore and appreciate Latin American and Latino art.
  8. Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive8

    Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive

     Berkeley, CA
    The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) is a unique combination of an art museum and a film archive, located at the University of California in Berkeley. It offers a diverse collection of art and film, making it a fascinating destination for art and film enthusiasts. The museum's collection includes over 22,000 works of art, ranging from Chinese paintings from the Ming and Qing dynasties to contemporary art pieces.
  9. Monterey Museum of Art9

    Monterey Museum of Art

     Monterey, CA
    The Monterey Museum of Art, also known as MMA, is an art museum situated in the beautiful city of Monterey, California. Established in 1959, the museum has been a significant part of the city's cultural landscape for over six decades. It offers visitors a chance to explore and appreciate the art of California from the 19th century to the present day.
  10. Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College10

    Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College

     Claremont, CA
    The Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College, colloquially known as the Benton, is a recent addition to the art scene in Claremont, California. It was completed in 2020, taking the place of the Montgomery Art Gallery. This new museum offers a fresh perspective on art and a new destination for art enthusiasts.
  11. Museum of Photographic Arts11

    Museum of Photographic Arts

     San Diego, CA
    The Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) is located in the heart of San Diego's Balboa Park. The museum, which was first founded in 1974 and officially opened to the public in 1983, is a significant cultural institution in the city.
  12. UCR ARTS - California Museum of Photography12

    UCR ARTS - California Museum of Photography

     Riverside, CA
    The UCR/California Museum of Photography boasts the most extensive photographic collections in the Western United States. These collections are diverse, covering a broad spectrum of photographic arts, history, and technology. Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of exhibits showcasing different aspects of photography.
  13. Agua Caliente Cultural Museum13

    Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

     Palm Springs, CA
    The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, located in Palm Springs, California, is a cultural and historical institution that focuses on the Cahuilla people of the Coachella Valley. This museum provides an in-depth look into the history and culture of the Cahuilla people, offering a unique perspective on the indigenous people of this region.
  14. The Banning Museum14

    The Banning Museum

     Los Angeles, CA
    The Banning House, also known as the General Phineas Banning Residence Museum, is a historic residence located in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Built in 1863 by Phineas Banning, the house is a prime example of Greek Revival architecture in the West. The house, stables, and gardens are now operated as a museum, providing visitors with a glimpse into the past.
  15. Usc Fisher Museum of Art15

    Usc Fisher Museum of Art

     Los Angeles, CA
    The USC Fisher Museum of Art boasts a diverse collection that spans various forms of media, including painting, prints, drawings, photography, and sculpture. The works in the collection range from the 15th to the 21st centuries, offering visitors a comprehensive view of the evolution of art over the centuries.
  16. California Museum of Photography16

    California Museum of Photography

     Riverside, CA
    The UCR/California Museum of Photography (CMP) boasts the most extensive photographic collections in the Western United States. These diverse collections cover a wide range of photographic arts, history, and technology. This information is beneficial for tourists who are interested in photography and want to explore a broad spectrum of photographic works.
  17. Marin Museum of Contemporary Art17

    Marin Museum of Contemporary Art

     Novato, CA
    The Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, also known as MarinMOCA, is a contemporary art museum located in Novato, California. Established in 2007, the museum has since been a hub for contemporary art enthusiasts and artists alike. It is conveniently located in the United States, making it accessible for both local and international visitors.
  18. MOLAA - Museum of Latin American Art18

    MOLAA - Museum of Latin American Art

     Los Angeles, CA
    MOLAA is situated in downtown Long Beach, California. The museum is housed in a modern structure designed by Mexican architect Manuel Rosen. It features four galleries, a contemporary project space, and an outdoor sculpture garden, providing a diverse range of spaces to explore and appreciate Latin American art.
  19. Western Museum of Flight19

    Western Museum of Flight

     Torrance, CA
    The Western Museum of Flight (WMOF) is an aviation museum situated at Zamperini Field, the municipal airport in Torrance, California. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists and aviation enthusiasts alike. The museum is operated by the Southern California Historical Aviation Foundation, ensuring that the exhibits and collections are maintained to a high standard.
  20. Museum of the American Indian20

    Museum of the American Indian

     Novato, CA
    The Museum of the American Indian, established in 1967, is located in Novato, California, U.S. The museum is uniquely situated on the site of a former Coast Miwok settlement, providing a rich historical context for its exhibits.
  21. 21

    Spectrum Fine Art Photography Gallery

     Fresno, CA
    Enjoy the variety of photographic styles in this collective gallery of fine art photographers. The workshops are enriching.