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Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)

ArtHistoryNatural HistoryClosed · Opens 11amFrom $25Lake Merritt (BART)

Across the Bay in Oakland, OMCA tells California's story through three galleries: California Art (from Albert Bierstadt and Dorothea Lange to Richard Diebenkorn and Hung Liu), California History, and California Natural Sciences, which walks through seven places from Oakland to Yosemite. Its collections hold more than 70,000 artworks, 1.8 million history objects and 100,000 natural-science specimens. The 1969 Kevin Roche building steps down in terraced gardens a block from Lake Merritt BART, and on summer Friday nights the galleries stay open late with food trucks and live music.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Nearest station: Lake Merritt (BART), 12th St/Oakland City Center (BART)

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Hours

MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed11:00–17:00
Thu11:00–17:00
FriToday11:00–21:00
Sat11:00–17:00
Sun11:00–17:00

Admission

From $25

Seniors 65+ $22; youth 13-17, students and educators $18; children 12 and under free; EBT cardholders $1; members free. Free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month.

Nearby

African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO)

Local HistoryFree17 min walk
Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology

Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology

History95 min walk

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)

Art96 min walk

Letterform Archive

Design141 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) cost?
Standard adult admission to Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is $25. Seniors 65+ $22; youth 13-17, students and educators $18; children 12 and under free; EBT cardholders $1; members free. Free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)?
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is open Wednesday to Sunday 11:00-17:00, Fridays until 21:00 during Friday Nights at OMCA (seasonal, April-October). Closed Monday and Tuesday. Thursday After Hours for adults runs seasonally. Closed Thanksgiving (26 Nov 2026), Christmas (25 Dec 2026) and New Year's Day (1 Jan 2027). Free admission on the first Sunday of each month.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)?
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is located at 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607, in the Downtown Oakland area of San Francisco. The nearest stations are Lake Merritt (BART), 12th St/Oakland City Center (BART).
What can I see at Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)?
California's art, history and natural sciences under one roof, in a terraced 1969 landmark with rooftop gardens by Lake Merritt. Current highlights include Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory, Collecting a Moment, You Are Here: California Stories on the Map.
Do I need to book Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

mk30 from USA, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

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