Home » Tours  » History Museum Tour of Marin

Marin County has a number of museums dedicated to preserving and sharing artifacts and stories about our rich history. Take a tour and explore!

East Marin

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This 700-acre park features several historic buildings, including the adobe house of Camilo Ynitia.

8901 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945
Phone: (415) 898-4362
Open every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Parking is $8 per vehicle
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=465
The Museum of the American Indian uplifts, supports, and makes visible the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas by offering authentic educational programs and cultural resources to Marin and the greater Bay Area.

Located in Miwok Park
2200 Novato Blvd, Novato, CA 94947
Phone: (415) 897-4064
Wednesday - Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Suggested General Admission Donation
Children under 3: FREE
$10 – Child (ages 3-17)
$10 – Students and Seniors (ages 62+)
$15 – Adult (ages 18-64)
EBT Cardholders: FREE
Members: FREE
https://www.marinindian.com
Housed in the historic 1850 Postmaster’s House, the Novato History Museum offers a journey through time, revealing the pivotal events and people that shaped our community today.

815 DeLong Avenue, Novato, CA 94945
Phone: (415) 897-4320
Wednesday, Thursday, & Saturday 12pm - 4pm
https://www.novatohistory.org/novato
Step back in time and explore the rich history of Hamilton Field, one of Novato’s most iconic landmarks. Located in the historic 1934 Hamilton Firehouse, the Hamilton Field History Museum offers a fascinating journey through the development and operation of Hamilton Air Field from 1935 to 1975.

In the historic 1934 Hamilton Firehouse
555 Hangar Avenue Novato, CA 94949
Phone: (415) 382-8614
Wednesday, Thursday, & Saturday 12pm - 4pm
https://www.novatohistory.org/hamilton
The China Camp Museum traces the story of the Chinese shrimping village that sprung up in the 1880s.

China Camp State Park
China Camp Village Rd, San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 456-0766
Park Hours: 8:00am to sunset daily
Vehicle Day Use: $5.00
https://www.parks.ca.gov
Features a permanent collection of propaganda posters, paintings, sculptures and items from over a dozen countries.

1000 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 526-3057
Thu-Fri 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM  Sat 11 AM - 5 PM
https://museumofpropaganda.org
Since 1935, the Marin History Museum has built and preserved a unique historical collection that documents life in Marin County from the time of the Miwok to the present day.

The Boyd Gate House
1125 B Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 382-1182
Wed - Sat 11 AM - 3 PM
Suggested donation $5
https://www.marinhistory.org
The Museum uses its photographic, object and archival collections in public displays that foster an understanding and appreciation of the history of San Anselmo and its place in the history of Marin County and California.

San Anselmo Public Library, lower floor
110 Tunstead Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960
Phone: (415) 258-4659
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m or by appointment
https://sananselmohistory.org
A premier bicycle history museum and cultural center in Fairfax, California. We display key examples from the 19th century Golden Age of Cycling.

1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, CA 94930
Phone: (415) 450-8000
Thu - Sun 11 AM - 5 PM
Adults $10 Seniors, Military, Disabled $8
Youths (12-17) & Students $5  Children (6-11) $3
https://mmbhof.org
Located inside of San Quentin's gates, the museum showcases exhibits spanning from the prison's founding in 1852 through the 1940s. 

98 Dolores St San Rafael, CA 94964
Park in Visitor Parking outside East Gate
DO NOT WEAR BLUE CLOTHING & BRING YOUR ID
Tue & Thu 8 AM - 2 PM
A collection of photographs, records, artifacts, and stories that capture the rich history of Mill Valley, California.

Mill Valley Public Library
375 Throckmorton Avenue Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: 389-4292 x 4725
Tue 10 AM - 4 PM   Wed 10 AM - 3 PM   Fri & Sat 1 PM - 4 PM
https://www.millvalleylibrary.org
A space for citizens and visitors to experience historic Sausalito in a creative and authentic setting.

780 Bridgeway, Sausalito (opposite Poggio Restaurant)
Phone: (415) 289-4117
Wed - Sun 11 AM - 4 PM
https://www.sausalitohistoricalsociety.com
Tiburon has a rich railroad and maritime history, which is captured in the Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Museum rests on Shoreline Park with priceless views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island.

1920 Paradise Drive, Tiburon, CA 94920
Phone: (415) 435-1853
April-Oct, Wed, Sat and Sun, 1 PM -4 PM
https://landmarkssociety.com

West Marin

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The mission of the Tomales Regional History Center is to preserve and inspire interest in the region’s history through collection, exhibition, and interpretation, and to develop an awareness of the role we all play on the greater continuum of that history.

26701 CA-1, Tomales, CA 94971
Phone: (707) 878-9443
Saturday & Sunday 1:00 PM — 4:00 PM
https://www.tomaleshistory.com
Visitor center and lighthouse with displays on local wildlife and history, plus scenic views.

27000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, CA 94937
Phone: (415) 669-1534
Sunday and Monday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Thursday-Saturday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
https://www.nps.gov
Dedicated to collecting and making historical information available about the people and places of West Marin.

15 Park Ave, Inverness, CA 94937
Phone: (415) 669-1099
Mon 3 PM - 7 PM  Tue 2 PM - 5 PM  Wed 11 AM - 3 PM
Fri 3 PM - 6 PM  Sat 10 AM - 2 PM
https://jackmasonmuseum.org
The mission of the Bolinas Museum is to collect, preserve, and exhibit the art and history of coastal Marin and to present exhibitions and events that provide inspiration and cultural enrichment to residents and visitors alike.

48 Wharf Rd, Bolinas, CA 94924
Phone: (415) 868-0330
Fri 1 PM - 5 PM  Sat & Sun 12 PM - 5 PM
https://bolinasmuseum.org