Permanent Gallery

The Oakland Museum of California is undergoing a major transformation project. To learn more, start here: www.museumca-campaign.org

The Natural Sciences Gallery is open while the Art and History Galleries are currently under renovation. Please visit our special exhibitions, or join us for special events.

Natural Sciences Gallery.

Explore scenes of California's many natural areas in the Natural Sciences Gallery. Young people enjoy searching the exhibits carefully for hidden wildlife and observing the larger dioramas illustrating dramatic wildlife scenes. Natural history students and amateur naturalists find this an excellent site for studying the flora and fauna of the state. Docent-led school tours of the gallery are available to assist classes in exploring ecological concepts in greater detail.

At the gallery entrance, the film Fast Flight offers a quick journey over California, and the large relief map illustrates the state's dramatic topography.

Take a Walk across California through nine different natural areas, beginning at the Pacific Coast, over the Coast Ranges, across the Great Valley, over the Sierras and the White Mountains and to the desert. In this gallery, the museum's impressive collections of native flora and fauna are displayed in natural settings.

Natural Sciences Gallery.

In each region you'll find dioramas, photomurals and a topographic model illustrating the terrain. Overhead you'll hear representative birdcalls and other natural sounds. Large dioramas and habitat scenes simulate the experience of visiting the actual region. Detailed exhibit cases display recreated scenes from each region exploring ecological principles and interactions. Close inspection reveals an array of concealed and camouflaged fauna, including insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals

The Aquatic California gallery explores marine and freshwater life in California, from mountain spring to river, urban creek to ocean. Video displays and interactive exhibits illustrate the variety of aquatic life forms found in the state.