Bakersfield Museum of Art - Bakersfield

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm; First Friday open until 8:00pm (free)
Location: 1930 R Street
Why Go There? Permanent collection focus: 19th century, modern artworks about/by Californians; changing exhibits; organizes annual annual Via Arté Italian Street Painting Festival (October weekend, Marketplace parking lot: 9000 Ming Avenue), other special events (lectures, art after hours, receptions); gift shop; discounts: senior, youth; free admission First Friday, First Saturday to Bank of America card holders.
More Information: BMOA + Via Arté Bakersfield

Kern County Museum - Bakersfield

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm
Location: 3801 Chester Avenue
Why Go There? 50 historic buildings (Pioneer Village), exhibits (some interactive), gallery showcase Kern County history; special events; museum gift shop; discounts: senior, student, military.
More Information: Kern County Museum

Inyo Council of the Arts Gallery - Bishop

Monday-Friday 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: 150 Willow Street
Why Go There? Features local artist works: paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry; hosts three art shows year: Memorial and Labor Days at Bishop City Park; Millpond Music Festival at Millpond County Park (September)
More Information: Inyo Council of the Arts Gallery

Exeter Murals, Mural Gallery & Gift Shop - Exeter

11:00am-4:00pm gallery
Location: 205 East Pine Street (murals throughout downtown streets)
Why Go There? Downtown needed new life after a 1990 citrus freeze hurt the local economy followed by a fire burning down an historic downtown building, so the City developed Mixter Park in the burned out building site and paid artists to create 32 colorful murals that capture pioneering businesses, Native American heritage, local citrus agriculture and scenes of the past
More Information: Exeter Murals + Sequoia Visitors Guide

African-American Historical & Cultural Museum - Fresno

September-June Tuesday, Thursday 12:00pm-3:00pm (other days by appointment)
Location: 1857 Fulton Street
Why Go There? Founded in 1986 through the generous contribution of African American resident and retired police officer Sergeant Jack Kelly and his wife; houses hundreds of historical photographs, artifacts, memorabilia dating back to the 1880’s documenting numerous contributions of African-Americans who live in or are from the San Joaquin Valley; offers rotating temporary and permanent exhibits; hosts annual jazz and blues Juneteenth and Black Music Month celebration (June), other special events.
More Information: African American Museum

Armenian Museum of Fresno - Fresno

Monday-Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm (Saturday closes 1:00pm)
Location: 550 East Shaw Avenue University of California Center Exhibition Hall
Why Go There? Highlights contributions of Armenian-Americans to the development of California, the Central Valley, with rotating exhibitions of fine arts; provides a forum for music concerts, literature; offers workshops, symposiums; self-guided on-line tour of historic sites, attractions
More Information: American Museum of Fresno + Tours

Arte Americas Cultural Center - Fresno

Thursday-Saturday 1:00pm-5:00pm
Location: 1630 Van Ness Avenue
Why Go There? Celebrates Latinx history, arts and culture since 1987, with exhibits, special events; free admission and parking
More Information: Arte Americas

Forestiere Underground Gardens - Fresno

April-November
Wednesday-Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: 50121 West Shaw Avenue
Why Go There? Inspired by ancient catacombs, open air museum hand built by Sicilian immigrant with local soils/rocks encompasses 10 acres of underground rooms, passages, gardens, features 20+ varieties of citrus, other fruit trees. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, California Historic Landmarks, access only by guided tour, first-come (groups of 15+ may book tours); senior, student discounts.
More Information: Forestiere Underground Gardens

Fresno Art Museum - Fresno

Thursday-Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm
Location: 2233 North First Street
Why Go There? Permanent 3,600+ piece collection includes works by Ansel Adams, Ruth Asawa, Salvador Dali, Maynard Dixon, Patty Handley, August Madrigal, Robin Gay McCline, Robert Ogata, Pablo Picasso, Rolland Pickford, Clement Renzi, Diego Rivera, Norman Rockwell, Varaz Samuelian, Anne Schied, Andy Warhol, and Nancy Youdelman; changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary artworks (paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, other media), Pre-Columbian works from Mesoamerica, the Andes, and Mexican modern and folk art. Hosts lectures, panel discussions, films, performances in Bonner Auditorium; gift shop; sculpture garden; youth discount.
More Information: Fresno Art Museum

Fresno City College Art Space Gallery - Fresno

Monday-Thursday  10:00am-4:00 pm (Wednesday-Thursday until 7:00pm) 
First Thursday Art Hop until 8:00pm
Location: 1101 East University Avenue (Art/Home Economics Building #17)
Why Go There? Hosts guest artist exhibits, including performing artists, biennial faculty and annual student exhibitions; opening receptions
More Information: Fresno City College Art Space Gallery

Fresno State University Art & Design Phebe Conley Gallery - Fresno

10:00am-4:00pm during exhibition shows
Location: 5225 North Backer Avenue M/S CA65 (Phebe Conley Art Building)
Why Go There? Gallery presents four major student exhibitions annually
More Information: Phebe Conley Art Gallery

Historic China Alley - Hanford

Taoist Temple First Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm (tours by appointment)
Location: Alley entrance on Green Street just north of Seventh Street
Why Go There? Traced to 1877, 11 intact buildings, including a Taoist Temple, line both sides of the alley and are made from bricks formed, fired on site; remnants of Chinese immigrants who came to help build California's railroads, work in agriculture, offered services within Chinese community
More Information: China Alley

Kings Art Center Marcellus Gallery, Banister Studio/Gallery - Hanford

Wednesday-Friday 11:00am-4:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 12:00pm-3:00pm
Location: 605 North Douty Street
Why Go There? 10+ annual exhibits include Kings County Art League local artists, a juried exhibition, opening receptions; showcase painting, photography, sculpture, fiber art, drawings, clay, glass and mixed media; annual fundraising events: Art Center Gala (September), Holiday Home Tour (December) and Taco Fiesta (May); Kings Bazaar Artisan Market (Fall)
More Information: Kings Art Center

Eastern California Museum - Independence

Monday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: 155 Grant Street
Why Go There? Features artifacts and exhibits that reflect Inyo County history, the diverse natural and cultural heritage of the Owens Valley and Eastern Sierra from Mono Lake to Death Valley. Highlights: 400 baskets showcase the artistry and craftsmanship of indigenous Owens Valley Paiute and Panamint Shoshone people; Manzanar collection features hundreds of photos donated by former internees depicting day-to-day life in the World War Two internment camp located nearby (see separate listing Manzanar National Historic Site and also listing in Hikes/Walks); “Building Bill’s Ditch: The Los Angeles Aqueduct” exhibit; Edward S. Curtis Native American People photographs; gift shop, bookstore; outdoors: Historic Equipment Yard artifacts, the Slim Princess restored steam locomotive and a native plant garden.
More Information: Eastern California Museum

Manzanar National Historic Site - Independence

Daily sunrise to sunset
Location: 5001 Highway 395
Why Go There? One of ten encampment (prison) sites where thousands of law abiding, hardworking US citizens of Japanese descent were sent during World War Two. Visitor Center can be a starting point to drive, bicycle or walk the grounds, see and learn, reflect about a painful and shameful part of US history. Exhibits include historic photographs, audiovisual programs, artifacts, scale model of Manzanar War Relocation Center crafted by formerly incarcerated Manzanar detainees, large graphic displays names of 10,000+ Japanese Americans at Manzanar. Visitor center theater shows award winning Remembering Manzanar 22-minute film every half hour; bookstore (operated by Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association). A self-guided tour map is available to drive, bicycle the 3.2-mile tour road (also see listing under Hikes & Walks): stops: Block 14 buildings, cemetery monument, remnants of the administrative complex, rock gardens, orchards, hospital grounds, uncovered foundations of the Children’s Village (the only orphanage of the ten War Relocation Centers), original sentry posts.
More Information: Manzanar National Historical Site

Nuui Cunni Native American Inter-Tribal Cultural Center - Lake Isabella

Wednesday-Sunday 9:00am-3:00pm
Location: 2600 Highway 155 (At Forest Service French Gulch Recreational Area)
Why Go There? Through partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Forest Service in the Sequoia National Forest, Greenhorn District, the Kern River Tubatulabal Paiute Council curates and displays Native American artifacts, crafting, and art from local tribes: Shoshone Paiute, Tubatulabal, Kawaiisu as well as pieces from many tribes throughout the US; maintains a library focusing on history, crafts, fiction and art; promotes and restores the culture and history of local Indian Communities through programs, events and warmly welcomes the public. No admittance fee (donations are welcomed, tax deductible).
More Information: Native American Inter-Tribal Cultural Center

The Museum of Western Film History - Lone Pine

Thursday-Monday 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: 701 South Main Street
Why Go There? 40 permanent and changing exhibits feature memorabilia, information about Westerns from early silent screen era to current; hosts annual October film festival (see separate listing under Entertainment); entrance fee (donation), free for active military; optional tours of area movie film sites by appointment, fee; gift shop
More Information: Museum of Western Film History

California State Mining and Mineral Museum - Mariposa

Thursday-Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm (May 1-September 30 until 5:00pm)
Location: Mariposa County Fairgrounds, 1.8 miles south of Mariposa on historic Highway 49
Why Go There? Houses official State of California mineral collection, begun in 1880 and moved to Mariposa in 1983 after residing in San Francisco 100+ years; 13,000+ objects include mining artifacts, rare specimens of crystalline gold, gem and mineral specimens; sponsors an annual gem and mineral show featuring exhibits, speakers, food (Spring); museum shop offers jewelry, mineral art, specimens, books about rocks, minerals, prospecting, mining, and California history; museum admittance fee, free to children under 12
More Information: California State Mining and Mineral Museum

Mariposa Arts Council Treetop Gallery - Mariposa

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Location: 5009 Highway 140
Why Go There? Offers rotating curated exhibitions, showcases local artists works for sale; opening receptions
More Information: Special Exhibitions

Alpine County Museum - Markleeville

End of May-October
Thursday-Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: 135 School Street
Why Go There? Highlights Alpine County history: Washoe Native American basketry, old country general store, working stamp mill, old-time blacksmith shop, rocks, minerals collection. Features information about local mountain man Monte Wolfe, artist Walt Monroe, Snowshoe Thompson and early days of Silver Mountain City.
More Information: Alpine County Museum

Mono Arts Council Gallery - Mammoth Lakes

Monday-Friday 12:00pm-5:00pm
Location: 437 Old Mammoth Road Suite M (Minaret Village Shopping Center)
Why Go There? Showcases local artists works; participates in annual Fourth of July Mammoth Celebrates the Arts Festival
More Information: Mono Arts Council

Merced Multicultural Arts Center & Arbor Gallery - Merced

Tuesday-Friday 11:00am-4:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm
Location: 645 West Main Street
Why Go There? Housed in (renovated/American Institute of Architecture awarded) 28,000 square foot Montgomery Wards department store, four galleries feature changing exhibits/opening receptions; first floor Arbor Gallery showcases 30+ year artist cooperative works, variety of media, special events
More Information: Arbor Gallery + Exhibits

Central California Art Association Mistlin Gallery - Modesto

Thursday-Friday 11:30am-5:00pm, Saturday 12:00pm-4:00pm
Location: 1015 J Street
Why Go There? Hosts 10-12 annual themed shows featuring regional member artworks, other artists; includes student exhibition Young@Art (March), Autumn Art Festival (September); schedules art lectures, cabaret concerts; store carries member jewelry, ceramics, prints, textiles, books, small paintings, drawings
More Information: Central California Arts Gallery

Ironstone Winery Heritage Museum, Art Events - Murphys

Daily 11:00am-5:00pm (closed holidays)
Location: 1894 6 Mile Road
Why Go There? Within Kautz family winery/entertainment complex (includes restaurant, store, wine tasting room, garden, amphitheatre - see separate listing for entertainment) the heritage museum features 1800's gold mining era photos, mining maps, memorabilia; artifacts from indigenous Miwok living in the area prior to immigrants. In 1992 privately owned Sonora Mining Corporation uncovered a pocket of crystalline leaf gold near Jamestown, Tuolumne County. On display: the Kautz 44 pound specimen, stated as the world's largest known crystallized gold specimen and priceless. Ironstone also hosts annual Spring Obsession Art Competition, daffodil show (March).
More Information: Heritage Museum + Spring Obsession Artists Gala Reception

Olancha Sculpture Garden - Olancha (west of Death Valley)

Location: Old State Highway 395, just south of Olancha
Why Go There? Featuring sculptures of artist Jael Hoffmann, the large whimsical, thought provoking sculptures in the desert setting make a good leg stretching stop
More Information: Olancha Sculpture Garden + J Sculpt Metal Art

Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum - Pine Grove

Daily 10:00am - 3:00pm
Location: 14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road (Indian Grinding Rock State Park), 12 miles east of Jackson
Why Go There? Museum building architecture reflects a traditional roundhouse and is set within 135 acre state park containing an outcropping of 1,185 marbleized limestone mortar holes (largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America); exhibits include past and present-day items used by Native American people, examples of the technologies and crafts of Miwok and other Sierra Nevada Native American groups including Maidu, Konkow, Monache, Nisenan, Tubatulabal, Washo, and Foothill Yokuts; gift shop/bookstore; park entrance fee. Park grounds are a sacred space for tribes who gather annually for fall weekend acorn grinding ceremony (September).
More Information: Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum + Indian Grinding Rock SHP

Porterville Historical Museum - Porterville

Thursday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: 257 North D Street
Why Go There? Housed in 1913 former Southern Pacific Railroad passenger station contains memorabilia, photographs and local history information; includes local Native American basket collection, tools, artifacts; offers special events, lectures throughout the year
More Information: Porterville Historical Museum

Luis Miro de Acevedo Sculpture Garden - Ridgecrest

Location: 3000 College Heights Boulevard (Cerro Coso Community College)
Why Go There? Dedicated in 1997, features student, instructor and guest artist works from across the US
More Information: Luis Miro de Acevedo Sculpture Garden

Maturango Museum - Ridgecrest

Daily 10:00am-5:00pm, closed holidays
Location: 100 East Las Flores Avenue
Why Go There? Focuses on natural and cultural history of the Northern Mojave Desert region through temporary and permanent exhibits in six galleries; desert garden contains sculptures; schedules (highly popular book early) area petroglyph tours (Spring, Fall); special events include lectures, concerts, annual fundraising dinner/auction, artist open studios self-guided tour and group exhibit at the museum (October) ; gift shop; senior discount (free under 18 and to all second Saturday monthly)
More Information: Maturango Museum

Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival - Ridgecrest

November
Location: 643 North China Lake Boulevard
Why Go There? Coinciding with Native American Heritage Month, set in Petroglyph Park with its 12 acres of trails dotted with replicas of some of the thousands of pictographs in nearby areas, includes Native American live music, dancers, crafts-and-food street fair; special tours to the world-famous Coso Petroglyphs in the Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake (not usually open to the public). The Coso Rock Art National Historic Landmark covers 36,000 acres, and some of the petroglyphs carved into basalt rocks date back more than 10,000 years (a few may have been created in the past two centuries). The area within it known as Little Petroglyph Canyon has 20,000+ documented images alone. Tours last about 4.5 hours (with two hours in the canyon), include navigating over some rocks and uneven trails: wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, bring plenty of water.
More Information: Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival + NPS Archeology Program

Mother Lode Art Association Juried Art Show - Sonora

Location: Various
Why Go There? Hosts annual (65+ years) Fall juried art show in September at the Opera House; dedicated member exhibit space in downtown historic Baer's building Aloft Gallery, daily 10:00am-4:00pm (105 South Washington Street) and Tuolumne County main library (408 Greenley Road) ; on-line member gallery (established during the 2020 pandemic)
More Information: Mother Lode Art Association

Haggin Museum - Stockton

Wednesday-Sunday 1:30pm-5:00pm, Saturday-Sunday opens12:00pm, first/third Thursdays until 9:00pm
Location: 1201 North Pershing Avenue (Victoria Park)
Why Go There? Collections include late 19th, early 20th-century masters to “Golden Age” illustrator J.C. Leyendecker; history collection reflects the Central Valley; changing exhibits; special events include lectures, musical performances; store features books, posters, notecards, merchandise inspired by the museum collections, temporary exhibitions
More Information: Haggin Museum

LH Horton Jr Art Gallery - Stockton

Tuesday-Friday opens 11:00am (varying closing hours, see website)
Location: Shima Center, Room 144 5151 Pacific Avenue (San Joaquin Delta College)
Why Go There? Delta Center for the Arts hosts six annual exhibitions: three juried (ceramics, painting/sculpture, photography); biennial faculty and alumni shows, a thematic small group show, student art show; opening receptions. Recommended parking in Shima lot for $2.00
More Information: LH Horton Jr Art Gallery

Stockton Art League Gallery - Stockton

Tuesday 10:00am-1:00pm, Thursday-Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm
Location: 1902 Pacific Avenue
Why Go There? Gallery provides exhibit space for local artists; art demonstrations, classes; fundraiser juried national art exhibition collaboration with Haggin Museum (even years, cancelled in 2020); store
More Information: Exhibitions

Tehachapi Museum - Tehachapi

Friday-Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm
Location: 310 South Green Street
Why Go There? Classic 1931 Art deco library building, now museum organized by the Tehachapi Heritage League includes a gallery dedicated to Native American Kawaiisu who populated the area 1500+ years ago (exhibits change periodically); displays collections of immigrant memorabilia and culture/history; downloadable self-guided historic downtown and historic murals walking tours brochures
More Information: Tehachapi Museum

Grand Theatre Center for the Arts Gallery - Tracy

Monday-Thursday 8:00am-6:00pm, Friday until 5:00pm (closed alternate Fridays)
Location: 715 Grand Avenue
Why Go There? Restored 1923 vaudville theater turned arts center with dedicated gallery features changing exhibits; artist created front window shades; classes; store (2020-2021 all activities on-line due to pandemic)
More Information: In the Gallery + Shop

Additional Resources

Wassama Round House State Historic Park Gathering Day - Ahwahnee
Includes Southern Sierra Miwok and Chukchansi demonstrations of dancing, crafts and basket weaving (third Saturday of October)

Amador County Home Tour - Amador County
Annual fundraiser for American Association of University Women (April)

Kern County Plein Air Painting Festival - Bakersfield
Annual (April)

Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County - Chowchilla
Sits on one of the largest middle-Pleistocene fossil sites in North America; Wednesday-Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm, Sunday opens 11:00am; entrance fee; 19450 Avenue 21 1/2

Public Sculptures - Clovis
“Clovis takes pride in embracing its heritage, values and culture and expressing it through artwork found along the Old Town Heritage walk and a variety of other locations throughout Clovis”

ArtHop - Fresno
First Thursday free art event throughout downtown galleries, businesses

Public Art - Fresno
Sculptures and murals

Downtown Murals - Fresno
Map, photos

Death Valley '49ers Invitational Western Art Show - Furnace Creek Death Valley
Part of annual Encampment (November)

Civic Center Murals - Jackson
Jackson history

First Friday Art Hop - Lodi
“Inspiring, Encouraging, and Promoting the Arts in Lodi, CA”

Public Art - Lodi
Downtown

Sierra Art Trails Yosemite Foothills Open Studio Tour - Eastern Madera/Mariposa counties
Fee includes catalog/map (October)

Sandhill Crane Festival - Lodi
Annual weekend festival events include an art show open to the public; Hutchins Street Square (November)

Manteca Mural Society - Manteca
Downtown murals tour map

Art Wine & Wheels - Mariposa
Annual festival with art, wine, music, and classic cars. Memorial weekend (May, Saturday)

Murals in Motown - Modesto
Downtown "DoMo" art murals

Modesto Art Museum - Modesto
Events various locations (no permanent building)

Old Timers Museum - Murphys
Gold rush era memorabilia, local Native American basketry, Saturday morning downtown walking tours; 12:00m-4:00pm Friday-Sunday; 470 Main Street

Gourd & Fine Art Festival - Plymouth
Amador Gourd Artists annual festival, Amador Flower Farm (June)

Art Trails - Sierra
Open studio tour annual event

Iris Festival - Porterville
Day long downtown festival includes art show, chalk art competition, food, entertainment (April)

Porterville Arts Association - Porterville
Gift shop; organizes juried art events, local exhibits (Spring)

Second Saturday Art Night - Sonora
Art demonstrations, live music, performances; Washington Street

Stanislaus Open Art Studios - Stanislaus County
Annual self-guided tour (April)

Arts Week - Stockton
(October)

Reynolds Gallery Jeannette Powell Art Center - Stockton
University of the Pacific; 1071 West Mendocino Avenue

Public and Street Art - Stockton
“The Public Art Program was created by the city in 2000 to create expanded opportunities to experience public art resulting from the creative expressions of artists in public places of the City”

Visual Arts & Museums - Tulare County
Visitors guide

Brandon Mitchell Gallery - Visalia
Hosts art shows (virtual 2020); 117 South Locust Street