Pacific House Museum
Pacific House Museum
4.5
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History museum showing what life was like in Old Monterey more than 150 years ago.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles32 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
15
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0

terry3124
Tucson, AZ73 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
This is an amazing museum that includes the Monterey Museum of the American Indian (which includes an indigenous basket collection on the second floor). There is a continuous showing of a film about CA/Spain/US/American Indian history that i found fascinating (and learnt historical facts that i didn't know). The museum is definitely worth a visit. The staff is informative, and admission is free!
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tinaNtravel
San Jose, CA2,011 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
I took the short, but very interesting, historical tour from the Custom House and the tour ended here. I then walked around the museum and was surprised at how many interesting exhibits there are. Downstairs is mostly related to early settlers and upstairs to the Native Americans. This is definetly worth a visit and I think kids will find it quite interesting as well. Note: It is free.
Written September 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Monica H
Carmel, CA45 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This must be the best hidden treasure on the Peninsula. This museum has a fabulous California history exhibit with titles and timelines to tie what happened here in Monterey to the rest of US history. this is a MUST for anyone who has school age kids or who loves history. To top it off the upstairs has one of our nations best Native American artifacts collection on exhibit.
Written April 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Knohanz
New York City, NY204 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2011 • Couples
Even if you dont go inside, do walk into the little square and take a trip back into old california--the square feels like an old hacienda. And the small museum has got a great view of California history--easily viewed in an hour or less.
Written January 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TimSamsTravelUSA
Viera, FL334 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015 • Couples
The tour just five dollars per person. I walked thru it the first day and didn't learn as near as much as I did with the docent. We got to visit this building and few others. Well worth $5.00
Written July 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marlene R
Edmonton, Canada97 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019
I enjoyed seeing the various displays and artifacts and learned more about the history of Monterey and California at this museum. It is free admission, so it is an interesting and informative way to learn about the history of this area.
Written October 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

terry k
Los Angeles, CA152 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2016 • Solo
I was surprised by the quality of the exhibits located here. Their presentation was great visually! The place is well thought out and a must see for history buffs!!
Written February 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

vicki
Fresno, CA99 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
we found this little gem from the docent at the monterey custom house museum...otherwise we would have totally missed it...7 year old granddaughter is part native, so finding this was a wonderful teaching moment...through exhibits this museum gives the history of indian traditions to statehood...and luckily has a cute little gift shop...always a plus...the 1.5 hours i gave include the custom house museum...
Written October 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah S
Sonoma, CA1,040 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Solo
One of the many buildings in historic, downtown Monterey that are part of the state park. The free museum explores the history of Monterey and the founding of California as a state. I found the first half the museum pretty interesting (on the west side) even though it could use an update. Don't miss the language activity where you can hear the local Indigenous language.

The east side of the building has an overview of the many houses in the park, a small exhibit about Californios, too. Upstairs is a Native American museum, however, while the basketry is stellar the majority of the objects on display are not from California.

Seems someone with a fondness of romantic Plains Indians collected most of the objects. Would be nice to see that updated, but, funding rules and there isn't much of it.
Written December 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EllenRHK
Scarborough, ME267 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Solo
This museum walks the visitors through a history of Monterrey, which I found very informative. It's clearly an old school museum without technological bells and whistles, which is charming. If you don't know much about CA history, it's a great start.
Written June 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Pacific House Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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