8 Specialty Museums in Mendocino County That You Shouldn't Miss

FOR PUBLIC SAFETY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. The Grace Hudson Museum offers exhibitions and programs on regional fine art; the artwork and legacy of early California painter Grace Carpenter Hudson (1865-1937); exquisite examples of Pomo Indian basketry; and various aspects of local, state, and American history. Serving the public since 1978, the campus includes the historic Sun House, a 1911 Craftsman bungalow that was Grace Hudson’s home and studio for over 25 years. Now a living museum, the Sun House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the prestigious national Historic Artists Homes and Studios program. The museum's newest feature is the Wild Gardens, an outdoor educational environment focusing on native Northern California plants and habitats. The museum’s gift shop features culturally distinctive gifts, including art prints, jewelry, cards, baskets and many other seasonal items.

Triangle Tattoo & Museum was founded in 1986 by tattooists Mr.G. and Madame Chinchilla It is one of only a few public museums in the world dedicated to the display of tattoo artifacts. Located in downtown Ft. Bragg,Ca. across from the Guest House Museum, the collection is fittingly housed in one of the town's original Victorian store fronts. Triangle Tattoo & Museum is open 7 days a week from noon till six p.m. All ages are welcome. Admission is free. School and personal tours are given upon request. Please call in advance. Besides 27 years of tattooing, Mr. G and Madame Chinchilla, are experienced in radio-television interviews and PowerPoint lectures. Both are authors, having written several feature articles for newspapers, magazines, and four books on the subject of TATTOOS. They have appeared in movies, documentaries and television dramas as tattooed characters (themselves) or tattoo scene consultants.Currently, they both tattoo on a regular schedule. Their newest book is a biography on the life and times of the legendary Capt. Don Leslie who was one of the last of the old-time "Circus Tattooed Men" and a revered "Swordswallower". The book titled "CAPTAIN DON LESLIE-MR. SIDESHOW", will is now available. Mr.G's articles and columns appear in "Skin & Ink" Magazine.

The Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society (MCMR&HS) is based in Fort Bragg, CA. We are dedicated to preserving the history of the logging industry that built the towns along the Mendocino Coast. We educate children and adults about the loggers, mills, railroads, schooners and native people that were in this area during the “age of steam”. It’s sad but true that there has been no testament to the loggers and the railways that ran into the woods to feed the mills that existed at every river between Gualala and Westport in Mendocino County. Regrettably, the whistles of the mills and locomotives are all silent. MCMR&HS has created a "living history" of the Redwood Empire in the form of a large G-scale model railroad layout. Our layout depicts a logging railroad that might have existed around 1925 through 1940. It’s a living history of the Redwood Empire, the men who cut the giant trees and the railroads that brought the giant logs to the mill. We’ve also included the schooners that took the products to market from the dangerous doghole ports along the Mendocino Coast.

Two locations dedicated to exploration, education, and experience. Our Downtown Discovery Center hosts a variety of rotating exhibits and is home to the largest fully articulated orca skeleton in the world. While you're there, dive underwater without getting wet in our 3D, 360 Underwater Immersion Dome. At the Crow's Nest, observe tide pool creatures and learn more about local marine ecology.

Fort Bragg, CA, has the highest concentration of sea glass in the world. Founded by Capt. Cass Forrington, a retired former deep sea captain, who scours Fort Bragg’s three world famous glass beaches for their rare and beautiful treasures, the Sea Glass Museum is the world’s largest permanent sea glass display with over 3,000 artifacts on display. The Sea Glass Museum is one of the most popular and beautiful attractions on the Mendocino coast and is a must see for children of all ages! Even grumpy faces leave the museum smiling. Be sure to stop in before visiting the beaches to get directions to the best sea glass locations, not only in Fort Bragg, but all along the Mendocino coast.

Engrossing display of unusual objects encountered over 40 years of world travel, many of them museum quality. Incorporated into Caddell & Williams craft spirits venue, superb selection of world-class craft distilled spirits. Adjacent to Germain-Robin tasting room.