Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

History, culture & art come to life through our exhibits, programs, and community science.

Demonstrate your confidence in our Museum and help spark a community of curious minds.

Your membership is not just a contribution; it's a catalyst for inspiring minds that can inspire thousands of people.

Book our private room for your next event, class or birthday party.

Our new mobile exhibit brings nature and science education directly to your schools and community events.

Learn all about our youth programs and see how you can get involved in community science.

Visit the Monarch Sanctuary from November to February when monarchs are in Pacific Grove. See how many there and how to visit.

Monterey County is one of the top five places in North America for bird watching due to its diverse number of resident and migratory birds. The Museum's Birds of Monterey County exhibition features 291 bird species and 409 life mounted birds. Highlights include a California condor, and 117 Rollo Beck life-mounted birds.

Pictured Above: Belted Kingfisher from Museum Collection

Entering the Museum's Native Plant Garden you are greeted by a 2400 lb. Jade boulder hoisted from the bottom of the ocean in Big Sur by artist Don Wobber. Come see what else you can discover at the museum, including fossils, bones, and minerals.

Pictured Above: Artist Don Wobber and the jade boulder, Leucothea

The Museum's Native Plant Garden features three spaces that reflect the area’s important local ecosystems – coastal scrub, chaparral and oak woodland – as well as a butterfly garden and an ethno-botanical area featuring plants that local Californian Indians used for food and utility. Kids enjoy digging in our fossil pit and bringing home one of its fossils.

This exhibition tells the story of the residents of the Point Alones Chinese Fishing Village. The first to immigrate from China as families, these residents were forced out of their homes in 1906 when their prosperous fishing village was purposefully burned down. Having started one of California's largest fisheries, the villagers significantly contributed to California's natural history and economic development. Historic photographs from the Museum's Collection tell their story.

Explore the miraculous and unique annual cycle of western monarch butterflies, which includes a winter migration to California’s Central Coast. Highlights of this exhibition include real specimens, amazing videos, and vintage artifacts--all wrapped in the most up-to-date scientific knowledge and artistic presentation.

Our Rumsen Ohlone Basketry exhibit features rare and historic California Native baskets from the Central Coast. Alongside these, it displays native plants collected by contemporary Ohlone weaver Linda Yamane, a video of her work, large-scale models of coiling and twining techniques, and a hands-on weaving station for visitors.

This exhibition explores the changing landscapes of Monterey County. How have habitats changed and how might they continue to change? What can we do to protect this place we all share? This exhibit highlights Coastal Habitats Mountain Habitats, Valley Habitats and Change in Action.

Our latest temporary exhibit housed in the Collector’s Gallery is called Flight: The Science of Staying in the Air. The exhibit will run from August 2024-May 2025 and will feature birds, butterflies, boomerangs, and more. To view rarely seen items from the Museum's vast collection, check out our online database.

Created in partnership with Blue Rhino Studios to inspire imagination, curiosity, and exploration, Wonder is the embodiment of how fantastical and magical the natural world . With every aspect built to delight the senses in themes celebrating the incredible worlds of insects, exploration, plants and animals, culture, and ideas.