Ainsley House Campbell: 300 Grant St.; (408) 866-2118 The 1926 home of a former canning pioneer showcases Santa Clara Valley life in the 1920s and 1930s. Beautiful formal gardens have been recreated in their original design. Docent-led tours are available, as well as an exhibit and orientation video on the history of Campbell. Thurs-Sun, 12-4, April-Dec.
Campbell Historical Museum Campbell: 300 Grant St.; (408) 866-2119 The home of J.C. Ainsley, canning pioneer, is preserved and maintained as a historical home with 90 percent of the furnishings being the originals from the years he lived there (1925-1937). Thurs-Sun, 12-4, April-Dec.
Carmelite Monastery Santa Clara: 1000 Lincoln St.; (408) 296-8412 This historic Spanish landmark, built in 1917, is an award-winning example of Spanish Ecclesiastical architecture. Its grounds were originally part of the Arroyo San Tomas Aquino Land Grant. Daily, 6:30-4:15.
Center for Beethoven Studies San Jose: San Jose State University’s Martin Luther King Library (Fifth Floor), San Fernando & S. 4th Sts.; (408) 808-2058 Established in 1983, this is the only institution in North America devoted solely to the life, works and accomplishments of Ludwig van Beethoven. The center includes a large collection of first and early 19th-century editions of Beethoven’s music, several original transcripts, more than 3,000 books on Beethoven in many languages, and even a lock of the composer's hair. Mon-Fri, 1-5.
Computer History Museum Mountain View: 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd.; (650) 810-1010 www.computerhistory.org You don't have to be a computer whiz to appreciate this museum, which traces the evolution of computer development and explains how the computing revolution has changed life as we know it. View 600 objects and artifacts, including the Honeywell Kitchen Computer, the Cray 1, the Johnniac, the Apple 1 and an ENIAC calculator; and take a docent-led or self-guided tour of the Visible Storage exhibit. On exhibit through December 2010 is Charles Babbage's Difference Engine No. 2. This massive, 5-ton spectacle, built based on original 1840s designs, is a mesmerizing display of Victorian mechanics. Wed-Fri & Sun, 12-4; Sat, 11-5.
Cupertino Historical Museum Cupertino: 10185 N. Stelling Rd.; (408) 973-1495 This museum depicts the old rural community at the crossroads of Cupertino. Wed-Sat, 10-4.
Forbes Mill Museum Los Gatos: 75 Church St.; (408) 395-7375 The museum features rotating exhibits and maintains a permanent collection of Los Gatos area memorabilia. Through Nov 26, an exhibit explores the history of the museum's site, which began as a flour mill in 1854. Open Wed-Sun 12-4.
Golden Gate Railroad Museum San Francisco: Hunter’s Point Naval Base, Building 809; (415) 822-8728 www.ggrm.org This museum brings back the glory days of the railroad. Commute, streamliner, and passenger trains are on display, as are photographs and machine parts in a caboose. An authentic Southern Pacific steam engine provides rides and is available for rental. For train souvenirs, visit the baggage gift shop. Sat, Sun, 10-4; weekdays by appointment.
Harris Lass House Santa Clara: 1889 Market St.; (408) 249-7905 Get a feel for what life was like on a California farm in the 1800s. Situated on Santa Clara's last farmstead, a beautifully restored, two-story Italianate house circa 1865, barn, summer kitchen, and tank house sit on an acre of land. Guided half-hour tours emphasize agrarian life in the early 20th century. Sat-Sun 12-4.
History Museum of Los Gatos Los Gatos: 75 Church St.; (408) 395-7375 A new exhibit traces the connections between California and Hawaii that have spanned over 200 years. Learn the role outriggers, horses, and surfboards played in defining the two states and discover the influence the paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboy, had on the mainland's Old West. Wed-Sun, 12-4.
Lathrop House Redwood City: 627 Hamilton St.; (650) 365-5564 Once the home of a Civil War general, built in 1863, this unique architectural monument has been restored and refurbished to reflect its Gothic Revival Victorian past. Tues-Thurs, 11-3.
Los Altos History House and Museum Los Altos: 51 N. San Antonio Rd.; (650) 948-9427 www.losaltoshistory.org Located in one of the few surviving orchards in Santa Clara Valley, this 1905 farm house depicts life on the small family-operated orchards that dominated Los Altos before World War 11. Adjacent to the History House, the new History Museum features a permanent exhibit that presents the history of the Los Altos/Los Altos Hills area. House and grounds: Wed, 1-5; Sat, 1-4. Museum: Wed, Sat, Sun, 12-4.
Mission San Jose Fremont: Mission and Washington Blvds.; (510) 657-1797 Magnificent reconstruction of the original adobe church and building, where the museum is housed. The mission was founded in 1797 and is the 14th of the 21 Spanish Missions in Alta California. Self-guided tours and slide shows are offered. Daily, 9-5.
Mission Santa Clara de Asis Santa Clara: Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real; (408) 554-4023 Father Thomas de la Peña founded the mission in 1777, sowing the lush gardens that today shelter some of the oldest cultivated plants in California. Olive trees planted in 1822 still flourish, in addition to an original Castillian rose bush and the oldest grapevine in Northern California. Daily, sunrise to sunset.
Museum of American Heritage Palo Alto: 351 Homer Ave.; (650) 321-1004 www.moah.org Permanent and rotating exhibits present technology and inventions of the 19th and 20th centuries. In a historic 1907 home, view an old-time general store, check out a pre-WWII kitchen full of classic tools and appliances, visit a 1920s doctor's office, and much more. Vintage clothing and antique machines are on display and visitors can test their skills at a foot-operated treadle-powered model. Fri-Sun, 11-4.
Moffet Field History Society Mountain View: Moffett Federal Airfield, Bldg 126, off Highway 101; (650) 603-9827 www.moffettfieldmuseum.org Aviation lovers will love this museum's displays featuring memorabilia, artifacts, photos and aircraft models. Tours of the museum and a view of exterior of Hangar One are also available. Free admission. Photo ID is required for adults. Wed-Sat, 10am-2pm.
New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum New Almaden: 21350 Almaden Rd.; (408) 323-1107 Located in the 3,600-acre Quicksilver County Park, this museum explores the history of mercury, or "quicksilver," mining in the 1800s. A mine diorama, which duplicates the interior of a mineshaft, gives a feel for working underground. Search for items hidden in the exhibit and earn shares of Quicksilver Mining Company stock. Exhibits include samples of cinnabar ore, mining equipment, and photographs of the mines and the people who worked them. Afterwards, take a walk into the past on the 1.6-mile self-guided tour through the historic town of New Almaden. CLOSED FOR RENOVATION THROUGH FALL 2010.
Niles Canyon Railway Sunol: Sunol Depot, 6 Kilkare Rd.; (925) 862-9063 www.ncry.org This living history museum revives the railroad experience with one-hour roundtrip scenic ride on the route of the first Transcontinental Railroad. Take the journey on a steam or diesel engine with passenger, freight and motor cars and, of course, a caboose. Departures Sun, 10:30am, 12, 1:30 & 3pm.
Peralta Adobe & Fallon House San Jose: San Pedro & St. John Sts.; (408) 993-8182 www.historysanjose.org Built in 1797, the Adobe is San Jose's oldest home—the last remaining structure from El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. It is refurbished to interpret daily life in the early Spanish and Mexican periods of the city’s history. Visitors can step back in time to see how the Gonzales and Peralta families lived. Venture into the home to see the recamara (bedroom), furnished in 1777 style, the sala (living room) furnished, a la 1830, and the horno, the outside working oven. The lavish Fallon House across the street, built in 1855 by San Jose’s early mayor Thomas Fallon, features 15 Victorian period rooms, as well as a historical exhibit on Santa Clara Valley. TOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Ralston Hall Belmont: 1500 Ralston Ave.; (650) 508-3501 www.ralstonhall.com The lavish Peninsula summer home of silver magnate William Chapman Ralston remains as it was in the 1870s. The Ralston estate, complete with a dining room for 100, mirrored ballroom, and sun parlor similar to the promenade deck of a Mississippi riverboat, is now the campus of the College of Notre Dame. Guided tours by appointment only.
History San Jose San Jose: 1650 Senter Rd.; (408) 287-2290 www.historysanjose.org Transport yourself to a different place and time at this charming 14-acre historic park, where 27 original and reconstructed homes, businesses and landmarks highlight the culture and history of Santa Clara Valley. The park is complete with paved streets, running trolleys, a working print shop, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, a gallery featuring changing exhibits and much more. Tues-Sun, 12-5.
San Mateo County Historical Museum Redwood City: 777 Hamilton St.; (650) 299-0104 www.historysmc.org Housed in the 1910 Old Courthouse of Redwood City, this museum presents a permanent display of California History and the story of San Mateo County in chronological order. Tues-Sun, 10-4.
Sanchez Adobe Pacifica: Linda Mar Blvd., one mile off Hwy. 1; (650) 359-1462 Built on the grounds of an ancient Native American village, this 1846 Spanish ranch house has been restored as a state historic site. Tues-Thurs, 10-4; Sat & Sun, 1-5.
Santa Clara Historical Museum Santa Clara: 1509 Warburton Ave.; (408) 248-ARTS Housed in the Headen-Inman house, this museum features historic artifacts and photos related to the history of Santa Clara, including the founding families and early pioneers of Santa Clara County. Operated by the Santa Clara Arts and Historical Consortium, the house serves as both cultural arts and historic center. Sun, 1-4.
Saratoga Historical Museum Saratoga: 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd.; (408) 867-4311 A permanent display features early photographs and artifacts relating to Saratoga's establishment as a lumber town in 1848. Fri-Sun, 1-4.
Villa Montalvo Saratoga: 15400 Montalvo Rd.; (408) 961-5800 www.montalvoarts.org Once the home of Senator James Phelan, this 19-room Mediterranean-style villa built in 1912 is complete with an arboretum, an art gallery, formal gardens, an expansive lawn, nature trails, and an outdoor "love temple."
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Wings of History Air Museum San Martin: 12777 Murphy Ave.; (408) 683-2290 www.wingsofhistory.org This antique aircraft museum with two hangars is filled with over 20 aircraft, as well as a library, photographs, and exhibits. Tues & Thurs, 10-3; Sat-Sun, 11-4.
Woodside Store Woodside: Tripp and Kings Mountain Rds.; (650) 851-7615 This San Mateo County historical site, built in 1854, is a reminder of the early logging, lumbering, and gold rush days of the region. It was reputedly the only store between San Francisco and Santa Clara at the time. Much of the store's original equipment and furnishings is intact. Tues-Thurs, 10-4; Sat-Sun, 12-4.