Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
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![Front profile of PG Musuem]()
About the Museum
History, culture & art come to life through our exhibits, programs, and community science.
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![A sculpture combining bronze and jade in a grail shape with a hole in the middle]()
Visit Jade Beneath the Sea
An incredible exhibit featuring local artistry and natural history of one of the most unique facets in Monterey County, Jade Beneath the Sea will be a 5-year exhibit starting with an in-depth look at Big Sur jade.
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![A child making observations in nature]()
Become a Member
Your membership is not just a contribution; it's a catalyst for inspiring minds that can inspire thousands of people.
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![A party at the museum]()
Rent the Museum
Book our private room for your next event, class or birthday party.
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Learn About Monarch Butterflies
Monarch Season typically runs from October to February in Pacific Grove. Learn more about their migration, biology, and how to protect them at the link below!
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![California Poppies]()
Youth Programs
Learn all about our youth programs and see how you can get involved in community science.
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![Wonder on Wheels Van]()
Wonder on Wheels
Our new mobile exhibit brings nature and science education directly to your schools and community events.
Upcoming Events
Visit Us
The Museum is always free to Monterey County residents with a valid form of ID. We are located blocks from the beach and a few minutes drive from the Monterey Bay Aquarium in beautiful historic downtown Pacific Grove. Visit the Aquarium first, bring your ticket, and we’ll give you a $2.00 admissions discount.
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10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Wednesday - Sunday (CLOSED Monday & Tuesday)
The Museum is closed for the following holidays:
Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. -
$12.00 for Adults
$8.00 for youth 4-18, students with school ID, seniors, and military
Adult visitors with disabilities will receive complimentary admission upon request. One-to-one aides or attendants of guests with disabilities receive at half price ($6). This includes one family member or friend who is serving as an interpreter for deaf guests or as a guide for blind guests. Guests with foster youth may also receive free admission upon request.
Admission is FREE for: 3 years and under, Museum members, Monterey County residents, Monterey County school field trips, and visitors to only the Museum Store.
Bring your Monterey Bay Aquarium ticket within the last 48 hours of visiting and receive a $2 discount on admission.
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Self-guided tours are welcome to the Museum. If your group includes more than 10 people, please let us know ahead of time and we'll coordinate with any other large groups.
If your group would like a specialized experience, schedule your $30 docent-led tour in our Museum galleries by emailing: admin@pgmuseum.org.
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From Highway 1, North or South directions, take the Highway 68 West Exit. Stay in your right lane. This road turns into Forest Avenue. Follow Forest for 1 block past Lighthouse Avenue. The Museum is located at the corner of Forest and Central Avenues.
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Unlimited parking on two sides of Jewell Park, directly across the street from the front entrance of the Museum. Two-hour limit on Central Avenue and Grand Avenue. All day parking in parking lot on Forest Avenue on Saturday and Sunday only.
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The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History (PGMNH) is committed to fostering safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for all staff, volunteers, museum visitors and program participants, whether at the Museum or off site.
We are committed to ensuring that all PGMNH experiences and spaces are free from harassment, threatening or disrespectful behavior, and discrimination of any kind. This includes actions or content targeting others based on race, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, citizenship, pregnancy, marital or veteran status.
Anyone who engages in such conduct will be asked to leave without notice or refund. To report concerns, contact the Deputy Director at 831-648-5716 ext 18 or max@pgmuseum.org.
By participating in any PGMNH program or visit, you agree to this Visitor Agreement. Thank you for helping us maintain a welcoming and safe space for all.
Visitation Policies
Visitation policies for the PGMNH are designed to protect visitors and staff as well as secure our collection and preserve learning experiences, exhibits, and facilities. Failure to comply may result in removal from the premises.
While at the Museum, visitors are asked to
Visit respectfully, including: wear appropriate clothing and footwear, walk not run, speak quietly and choose your words and behavior with care and consideration for other guests and staff.
Be respectful of the Museum’s collections. Only touch those objects that are marked as interactives and always touch those with care. Please do not pet the bears.
Food and drink are allowed in the garden only. Exceptions are made in designated areas during some special events. Alcohol consumption is only allowed during certain special events when provided or purchased onsite.
Children 12 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Use wheeled transport devices (scooters, strollers, or wheelchairs, etc.) in a safe manner.
Refrain from: smoking or vaping or having an open flame, using controlled substances, loitering, soliciting or possessing a weapon of any kind.
Photos & Video
Personal, noncommercial photography and video are permitted in the museum unless otherwise noted. For professional, commercial, or media-related shoots, prior approval is required. Please direct inquiries to media@pgmuseum.org. Note that by entering the building, your image may be photographed during events and used for marketing purposes.
Social Media
PGMNH is dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive space for all, both in person and online, including on social media. We have a zero-tolerance policy for content that is hateful, harassing, defamatory, obscene, or discriminatory. Note that any harmful comments will be deleted by our staff and you will be blocked from our social media accounts.
Service Animals
For the well-being of all our guests and to protect our collections, and in accordance with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), the PGMNH only allows trained service animals on Museum property or animals being used as part of a museum-sponsored program. A service animal is one that is trained to work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Household pets, therapy, or emotional-support animals (ESA) are not permitted.
Exhibitions Overview
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![Belted Kingfisher from PG Museum collection]()
The Amazing Adaptations of Birds
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
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![Artist Don Wobber and the jade boulder Leucothea]()
Geology
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
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![A field of yellow daisies]()
Native Plant Garden
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.
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![Historic Photograph from the PG Musuem collection]()
Chinese Fishing Village
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.
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![Monarch Butterfly]()
Monarch Gallery
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.
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![Ohlone Basketry Exhibit at the PG Musuem]()
Rumsen áchsest-akai (basket makers)
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.
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![Changes of Monterey County Exhibition]()
Changes of Monterey County
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.
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![Flight]()
Flight
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.
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![Wonder Exhibit at the PG Museum]()
Wonder
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.
Explore our Resources
Our education programs, designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and conservationists. Through hands-on field trips, outdoor learning, and community science projects, the Museum's education programming uses local species and stories to empower students through scientific skills and knowledge.
Audio Tours
We are thrilled to launch two audio tours, created by Museum volunteers, that you can follow along with on the izi.travel website or mobile application!
One tour takes listeners through the Pacific Grove section of the Coastal Recreation Trail, discussing the area’s diverse natural and cultural history. The other audio tour guides visitors through the Pacific Grove Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, enriching the interpretive signs situated along the trail. Listen to the whole tour, or select specific stops that interest you! Each tour also has written transcripts of the audio and related photographs.
We are honored to have received the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Inspire! Grant for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. Much of our upcoming interpretive work will be done with their support.
As a Blue Star Museum in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, active USA service members and their families get free admission every year between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
At the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, we offer a reduced admission of $3 to all non-Monterey County resident visitors with an EBT/SNAP as part of the Museum for All initiative. Monterey County residents receive free admission.
