Here Are 5 Museums In Northern California That Are Just Too Weird For Words

Museums feed our curiosity for the world. We can learn something new and sometimes have fun, hands-on experiences. Some museums are very niche and have collections of items that you might call weird. This list of quirky and strange museums in Northern California are some of the most fascinating.

1. Hand Fan Museum - Healdsburg

Very niche and super interesting, this fan museum is the only one of its kind in the United States. Located in wine country, the museum has a collection of more than 2,500 fans. The Hand Fan Museums is undergoing renovations and will reopen March 2023.

2. Museum of 3D Illusions– San Francisco

The Museum of 3D Illusions is a fun-filled interactive experience. Visitors young and old are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild. The illusion exhibits let guests pretend they’re surfers, skydivers, survivors of a lava eruption and much more! The museum can be reserved for birthday parties and events.

3. Willow Creek-China Flat Museum– Willow Creek

This museum is filled with oddities but has a focus on bigfoot. The exhibit is pretty extensive and definitely worth your time. You’ll find footprint castings, photos, and a map of where sightings occurred. The museum’s large and varied collection might even convince skeptics that there’s something lurking in the woods! Be sure to take a picture with the large bigfoot statue located at the front of the museum. The museum is closed November through April, except by appointment.

4. Bigfoot Discovery Museum– Felton

The legend of bigfoot lives in Northern California. The redwood forests in the northwest part of the state are said to be the home of the legendary ape-like creature. Owner Michael Rugg opened the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in the mid-2000s. It’s entirely devoted to bigfoot and has a lot of interesting items.

Families from around the area love to visit this museum and hear Michael’s stories about bigfoot. Bigfoot Discovery Museum is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The hours of this museum frequently change, so it’s best to call first to ensure it’s open.

5. Truhlsen Museum of the Eye– San Francisco

Learn all about the human eye at this museum about eyesight. The American Academy of Ophthalmology maintains this free museum that is located on Fisherman’s Wharf. Check out more than 4,000 types of visual aids, like eyeglasses, monocles, and binoculars. The exhibit has a VR experience and a giant interactive eyeball, too. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to these niche museums there are many large and well-known museums in Northern California. But isn’t it fun to take a deep dive into a random topic and gain new experiences?

Are there any strange museums where you live? Tell us about them.