List of museums in the Inland Empire


The Inland Empire metropolitan area and region of Southern California, which sits directly east of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, covers more than. The metropolitan area consists of Riverside County and San Bernardino County and is home to over 4 million people. The Inland Empire contains many museums, which are defined for this context as institutions that collect and care for objects of cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical interest and make their collections or related exhibits available for public viewing. It includes non-profit and university art galleries. Museums that exist only in cyberspace are not included in this list.
NameImageTown/cityCountyTypeSummary
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment MuseumFort IrwinSan BernardinoMilitary, history of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, located at the Fort Irwin National Training Center
Agua Caliente Cultural MuseumPalm SpringsRiversideNative AmericanHistory and culture of the Agua Caliente and other indigenous peoples
Agua Mansa Pioneer CemeteryAgua MansaSan BernardinoHistoryBranch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum, historic cemetery of the pioneer ghost town and museum
Beauty Bubble Salon and MuseumTwentynine PalmsSan BernardinoCommodityHistoric hair and beauty care artifacts
Big Bear Discovery CenterFawnskinSan BernardinoNatural historyCo-managed by the Southern California Mountains Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service, natural history of the San Bernardino National Forest
Big Bear History MuseumBig Bear CitySan BernardinoLocal history, operated by the Big Bear Valley Historical Society
Cabazon DinosaursCabazonRiversideReligiousDinosaur sculptures and Creationist museum
Cabot's Pueblo MuseumDesert Hot SpringsRiversideHistoric houseHopi-style pueblo house with 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors
Calico Early Man SiteBarstowSan BernardinoArchaeologyExcavations of a Pleistocene stone tool workshop and quarry sites
Calico Ghost TownCalicoSan BernardinoOpen airGhost silver mining town park with Lane House & Museum of local & mining history, one-room school, blacksmith shop, several original structures
California Citrus State Historic ParkRiversideRiversideIndustryVisitor center includes a museum that presents the origins of citrus, how it arrived in the Americas, and the commercial development of the Bahia Naval orange in Riverside.
California Route 66 MuseumVictorvilleSan BernardinoHistoryRoute 66 and automotive history, cultural and economic impacts
Center for Social Justice and Civil LibertiesRiversideRiversideSociety, operated by the Riverside Community College District, works of Miné Okubo, themes of civil rights and social justice in the context of 20th-century Riverside
Chaffey Community Museum of ArtOntarioSan BernardinoArt, operated by the Chaffey Community Art Association
Chaffey-Garcia House/MuseumRancho CucamongaSan BernardinoHistoric house, operate by the Etiwanda Historical Society
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture & IndustryRiversideRiversideArt Chicano artwork from across the United States collected by Cheech Marin. Currently under development with a planned opening in 2021.
Children's Discovery Museum of the DesertRancho MirageRiversideChildren's
Chino Youth MuseumChinoSan BernardinoChildren's
Coachella Valley History MuseumIndioRiversideOpen air, local culture and history, operated by the Coachella Valley Historical Society, includes the 1926 adobe Smiley-Tyler House with local history exhibits, the 1909 Indio Schoolhouse and the Date Museum. a blacksmith's shop, pioneer farming implements, specialty gardens
Colton Area MuseumColtonSan BernardinoLocal history
Cooper MuseumUplandSan BernardinoLocal history
Corona Heritage Park & MuseumCoronaRiversideMultiple, local history, art and culture
Daggett MuseumDaggettSan BernardinoLocal history, includes early American collectibles, railroad china, Navajo Indian code-talkers from WWII, barbed wire, lapidary work
Desert Discovery CenterBarstowSan BernardinoNatural history
Edward-Dean Museum & GardensCherry ValleyRiversideFine arts, features late 16th to early 19th century European & Asian fine arts set within a recreated manor house, surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Entomology Research MuseumRiversideRiversideNatural historyInsect collection of the Department of Entomology of the University of California, Riverside, open to the public by appointment.
Estudillo MansionSan JacintoRiversideHistoric house, late 19th-century home of city's first postmaster and second mayor, operated by the City
Fingerprints Youth MuseumHemetRiversideChildren's, formerly KidZone Youth Museum
Fontana Historical Society MuseumFontanaSan BernardinoLocal history
General Patton Memorial MuseumChiriaco SummitRiversideMilitaryHonors veterans, includes military equipment, uniforms, weapons, medals, artifacts, tanks, memorabilia from Patton's life and career
Gilman Historic Ranch and Wagon MuseumBanningRiversideLocal historyOperated by Riverside County Parks, late 19th-century homestead ranch house, museum with a collection of authentic wagons and saddles
Goffs SchoolhouseGoffsSan BernardinoLocal historyRestored one-room schoolhouse with displays of local history, operated by the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association
Goldstone Deep Space Communications ComplexBarstowSan BernardinoScienceTours and museum about the radio telescope and astronomy
Hemet MuseumHemetRiversideLocal history
Heritage HouseRiversideRiversideHistoric house, 1891 Victorian house museum, operated by the Riverside Metropolitan Museum
Harada HouseRiversideRiversideHistoric houseA National Historic Landmark recognizing one of the most significant civil rights cases in California, operated by the Riverside Metropolitan Museum. As of February 2015, not yet open to the public.
Hi-Desert Nature MuseumYucca ValleySan BernardinoMultiple, artistic, natural and cultural history of the area's deserts
Historical Glass MuseumRedlandsSan BernardinoGlass, operated by the Historical Glass Museum Foundation, examples of American glass
Historical Society of Palm Desert Museum and ArchivesPalm DesertRiversideLocal History
Idyllwild Area Historical Society MuseumIdyllwildRiversideLocal history, history of the San Jacinto Mountain communities of Idyllwild, Garner Valley, Mountain Center, Pine Cove, and Pinewood
Inland Empire Military MuseumSan BernardinoSan BernardinoMilitaryWWII, Korea and Vietnam military memorabilia, owned by Juan Pollo Restaurant chain, located next door to the first McDonald's Restaurant
International Banana MuseumMeccaRiversideCommodity, over 20,000 banana related items, formerly located in Altadena, then Hesperia
Jensen Alvarado RanchJurupa ValleyRiversideLocal history1880s period local history ranch
John Rains HouseCucamongaSan BernardinoHistoric houseAlso known as Cucamonga Rancho,mid 19th-century house, branch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum
Joshua Tree National ParkNatural historyThree visitor centers and the Black Rock Nature Center contain exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the area
Jude E. Poynter Golf MuseumPalm DesertRiversideSports
Jurupa Mountains Discovery CenterRiversideRiversideNatural history, a family-oriented non-profit earth science educational facility, located outside of Riverside city limits, features Ruth and Sam Kirkby Earth Science Museum
Kelso DepotKelsoSan BernardinoLocal historyRailroads, local history, visitor center for the Mojave National Preserve
Keys Desert Queen RanchSan BernardinoHistoric houseHistoric ranch buildings located in Joshua Tree National Park
Kimberly CrestRedlandsSan BernardinoHistoric houseFrench château-style Victorian mansion
La Quinta MuseumLa QuintaRiversideLocal history, features local and traveling exhibits of art, history and culture
Lincoln Memorial ShrineRedlandsSan BernardinoBiographical shrine and museum about President Abraham Lincoln, special collections division of A. K. Smiley Public Library
McCallum Adobe-Cornelia White House MuseumPalm SpringsRiversideHistoric houseOperated by the Palm Springs Historical Society, two adjoining late 19th century houses
Malki MuseumBanningRiversideNative American, traditions and history of the Cahuilla Indians and other southern California Indian tribes
March Field Air MuseumRiversideRiversideAviationAdjacent to March Joint Air Reserve Base, historic military and civilian aircraft
Mission Inn MuseumRiversideRiversideHistoric siteCultural heritage of the Mission Inn
Mojave River Valley MuseumBarstowSan BernardinoLocal history, history, culture and natural history of the Mojave River Valley
Mountain History MuseumLake ArrowheadSan BernardinoLocal history, operated by the Rim of the World Historical Society
Mousley Museum of Yucaipa HistoryYucaipaSan BernardinoLocal history, operated by the Yucaipa Valley Historical Society
Museum of History & Art, OntarioOntarioSan BernardinoMultiple, history, art, and cultural traditions of the greater Ontario area
Museum of PinballBanningRiversideSports
Needles Regional MuseumNeedlesSan BernardinoLocal history
Oak Glen School House MuseumYucaipaSan BernardinoLocal history, historic schoolhouse
Old Fire Station MuseumYucaipaSan BernardinoFirefighting, operated by the Yucaipa Valley Historical Society, US Forest Service artifacts from 1936 to 1980
Old Guest House MuseumTronaSan BernardinoOpen air, operated by the Searles Valley Historical Society, includes exhibits on local mining activities, Native Americans
Old Schoolhouse MuseumTwentynine PalmsSan BernardinoLocal history, operated by the Twentynine Palms Historical Society, displays on Indians, miners, cowboys and homesteaders, historic school displays
Original McDonald's Restaurant MuseumSan BernardinoSan BernardinoFoodSite of the first McDonald’s that was open in 1940, memorabilia and history of McDonald's and Juan Pollo restaurants, Route 66 memorabilia
P-38 MuseumRiversideRiversideAviation, history and memorabilia of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning in World War II, housed on the grounds of the March Air Museum
Palm Springs Air MuseumPalm SpringsRiversideAviationSpecializes in World War II aircraft and aviation history
Palm Springs Art MuseumPalm SpringsRiversideArtModern and Contemporary American art, natural history
Palo Verde Valley Historical MuseumBlytheRiversideLocal HistoryHistory of Blythe, the Palo Verde Valley, and surrounding areas
Pennypickle's WorkshopTemeculaRiversideChildren's, also known as Temecula Children's Museum
Perris Valley Historical MuseumPerrisRiversideLocal historyLocated in the historic Perris Depot
Planes of Fame Air MuseumChinoSan BernardinoAviation
Redlands Historical MuseumRedlandsSan BernardinoLocal history, planned museum operated by the Redlands Historical Museum Association
Rialto Historical Society MuseumRialtoSan BernardinoLocal history, displays include a turn of the century home, a citrus exhibit and packing house office, military display, an early 20th century doctor's office, located in the former church school building next door to the former First Christian Church of Rialto
Riverside Art MuseumRiversideRiversideArtOver 20 exhibitions a year of traditional and contemporary art
Riverside International Automotive Museum CLOSEDRiversideRiversideAutomotiveClosed in June 2016 after the death the Doug Magnon in 2015. The displays included California auto racing history, Dan Gurney, and the largest collection of Mazerati road cars in the United States.
Riverside Metropolitan MuseumRiversideRiversideMultipleNatural history and Native American culture
Riverside Sport Hall of FameRiversideRiversideSports, an outdoor display in Newman Park recognizing sporting achievements of Riverside citizens
Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art San BernardinoSan BernardinoArtPart of California State University, San Bernardino, collections include Ancient Egyptian artifacts, world ceramics and contemporary art
Route 66 "Mother Road" MuseumBarstowSan BernardinoTransportation, automobile and Route 66 memorabilia
Ruddy's General Store MuseumPalm SpringsRiversideHistory, 1930s period general store with original fixtures and contents
Salton Sea History MuseumMeccaRiversideLocal history
Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and CraftsAlta LomaSan BernardinoMultiple, includes crafts gallery and historic home and gardens of Sam Maloof
San Bernardino County MuseumRedlandsSan BernardinoMultiple, cultural and natural history, operates many branch museums
San Bernardino de Sena EstanciaRedlandsSan BernardinoHistoric houseRestored ranch outpost of Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, including a chapel, branch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum; also known as San Bernardino de Sena Estancia
San Jacinto MuseumSan JacintoRiversideLocal history, natural and human history of San Jacinto and surrounding areas
San Timoteo Canyon SchoolhouseUnincorporatedRiversideLocal history
Searles Valley History HouseTronaSan BernardinoHistoric house, operated by the Searles Valley Historical Society, furnished to appear as in the 1920s when it was occupied by one of the early managers of the Trona Plant
Sherman Indian MuseumRiversideRiversideNative AmericanHistory of the boarding high school for Native American students, culture
Shryock Museum of EmbryologyLoma LindaSan BernardinoMedical, part of Loma Linda University School of Medicine, teaching collection of anatomy models and fetuses
Southern California Railway MuseumPerrisRiversideRailroadHeritage railroad and museum about Southern California's railroad history
Stahl Center & Museum of CultureRiversideRiversideAnthropology, part of La Sierra University, located on the second level of La Sierra Hall,
SunnylandsRancho MirageRiversideHistoric houseWinter retreat mansion of Walter and Leonore Annenberg
Temecula Valley MuseumTemeculaRiversideLocal history
UCR ARTSblockRiversideRiversideArt, part of the University of California, Riverside, an interactive art facility housed in the renovated Rouse Building, an 1895 department store, includes the California Museum of Photography, Sweeney Art Gallery, and Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts
Victorian Bridal MuseumSan JacintoRiversideTextile, Victorian-era wedding dresses and accessories
Victor Valley MuseumApple ValleySan BernardinoLocal history, branch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum
Walter N. Marks Center for the ArtsPalm DesertRiversideArt, part of College of the Desert, includes 3 galleries
Western America Railroad MuseumBarstowSan BernardinoRailroad
Western Science CenterHemetRiversideNatural historyNative American artifacts, Ice Age fossils, archaeology, paleontology
Wignall Museum of Contemporary ArtRancho CucamongaSan BernardinoArt, part of Chaffey College
World Famous Crochet MuseumJoshua TreeSan BernardinoCrochetCollection of crocheted items located inside a recycled photo booth.
World Museum of Natural HistoryRiversideRiversideNatural history, part of La Sierra University, animal mounts, gems and minerals, meteorites and tektites, petrified wood, shells, American Indian artifacts, and contemplative stones
Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian MuseumPerrisRiversideNative AmericanLocated in Lake Perris State Recreation Area
Yanks Air MuseumChinoSan BernardinoAviationCollection of American aircraft including World War II fighters, dive and torpedo bombers
Yorba-Slaughter AdobeChinoSan BernardinoHistoric houseBranch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum, includes post office/general store with an exhibit of agriculture and animal husbandry
Yucaipa AdobeYucaipaSan BernardinoHistoric house, branch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum

Defunct museums