California State Indian Museum
California State Indian Museum
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
This museum explores a diverse range of Native American topics, from history to culture to art.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
104 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
37
Average
19
Poor
2
Terrible
1
mwhamburger
Seattle, WA849 contributions
Apr 2022
totally enjoyed the displays of impressive and beautiful baskets, clothing, jewelry, tools, an 18 foot Yurok redwood canoe, etc.
you can learn a great deal about the various trips, how many different dialects were spoken, their use of natural resources, what happened when the exploration period in the 1500s brought the first outsiders who introduced contagious diseases, etc.
it's an incredible story everyone should familiarize themselves with.
you can learn a great deal about the various trips, how many different dialects were spoken, their use of natural resources, what happened when the exploration period in the 1500s brought the first outsiders who introduced contagious diseases, etc.
it's an incredible story everyone should familiarize themselves with.
Written April 21, 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.
Bob4Health
Davis, CA194 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
I lived on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for 3 years and have been involved in Native American movements across the US.
Living in Davis, CA, we went to visit the Califonia State Indian Museum. While it had some nice artifacts, lots of baskets, pictures, it was badly lacking in information.
For example, there were pictures of the elders, but how about writing about some of their history and what their culture and values were?
For God's sake, 90% of the Native American's in California were killed in a genocide based on Manifest Destiny, the right to murder people that look different than you.
Living in Davis, CA, we went to visit the Califonia State Indian Museum. While it had some nice artifacts, lots of baskets, pictures, it was badly lacking in information.
For example, there were pictures of the elders, but how about writing about some of their history and what their culture and values were?
For God's sake, 90% of the Native American's in California were killed in a genocide based on Manifest Destiny, the right to murder people that look different than you.
Written October 2, 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.
Charles S
Berkeley, CA92 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
First, the focus is on a few California tribes - nothing on the Plains Indians, their iconic costumes, or wars. Perhaps this is why some were disappointed. And not too much that would catch the eye for young kids. The displays and the photographs are very complete, within their chosen, limited areas, and the descriptions are full of detail. If you take the time to read them you will learn a lot. I particularly enjoyed seeing samples of all the types of California acorns, their leaves, and how acorn mush was prepared, and its specialized utensils. (It was suggested that as much as 80% of their diet was acorn mush.) And there was a good deal more on the huge variety plants used daily for eating, making rope, or thread, soap, etc. There are an impressive number of original artifacts (as well as a very knowledgeable and helpful docent).
I was surprised to learn that if you pounded small animals and birds lightly, you could break up their bones, and then eat the entire animal. And of interest was how these, and every thing else, was cooked, in a culture with no pots.. (And, how they were caught.)
Dress, culture, and ceremonies were also covered in some detail.
My wife and I have visited quite a number of Indian museums and certainly some were bigger, but this particular museum, while small, was still excellent and a bargain for $5.00
I was surprised to learn that if you pounded small animals and birds lightly, you could break up their bones, and then eat the entire animal. And of interest was how these, and every thing else, was cooked, in a culture with no pots.. (And, how they were caught.)
Dress, culture, and ceremonies were also covered in some detail.
My wife and I have visited quite a number of Indian museums and certainly some were bigger, but this particular museum, while small, was still excellent and a bargain for $5.00
Written July 18, 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.
Mike Y
United Kingdom248 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
As a visitor from the UK I have to admit I knew very little about real Native American culture, my view being shaped by old cowboy TV programmes and films. As an amateur historian I was interested and then intrigued by the artifacts and the stories behind them. This is a museum for reflection. I was fascinated by the cultural background and the craftsmanship of these people. The museum has altered my understanding and appreciation of what was clearly a very sophisticated society.
Written May 1, 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.
Claus W
Sacramento, CA511 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
A somewhat melancholic little museum in a quaint park in midtown Sacramento, a place that is calm and soothing and makes you angry at the same time. Angry about the fate of native Americans and angry about the missionaries who imposed their beliefs with sheer force destroying an ancient culture in the process.
Worth a visit
Worth a visit
Written April 11, 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.
DennisCalifornia
California28 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
Being on the site of Sutter's Fort helps you realize they both were happening at the same time. The exhibits are exquisite examples of the many tribes, and the staff is quite knowledgeable. Another must see.
Written December 2, 2014
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.
Michael H
39 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
Considering the name I thought the place would be more. Small museum, lots of baskets, few artifacts. Sorry guys, LA's Autry Museum has you beat by far!
Written June 26, 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.
FrenchyEric
Grass Valley, CA159 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
I was disappointed by the quality of the displays and the very limited amount of things to see. You could tour the only room in 5 minutes if you don't take the time to read the signs, only look at the (few) artifacts. Not worth the entry price, this "museum" should be free.
Written April 7, 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.
Patrizia C
Sacramento, CA40 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
I brought visiting guests to the California State Indian Museum on a hot August day and both they and I were very pleasantly surprised with the wonderful displays, the helpful and courteous staff (they even gave us a brochure in our native Italian language!). The baskets, jewelry, weapons and other artifacts and explanations are beautiful. I will make this a must see stop when my friends and relatives visit. Little gift shop also full of treasures. Thank you for a this wonderful museum to preserve an important part of our American history!
Written August 8, 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.
Leona M
Bella Vista, CA37 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
We came here for a 4th grade class trip. It's a small museum. Not much for kids to actually touch; everything in glass cases. I think its more suited for adults or older children.
Written July 20, 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.
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