Best Museum
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove
(831) 648-5716, pgmuseum.org
One of the major draws for circuses of the past, besides the main shows under the big top, were the exotic animal menageries, where people could get an up-close look at live animals from far-away lands like elephants, giraffes, lions and other big cats. At the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History – which was founded in 1893, 90 years after the first circus appeared in the U.S. – the animals are all local and they’re not living, but are carefully taxidermied specimens for us to get up close to dozens of bird species and a towering grizzly bear. The museum also includes other exhibits detailing the flora, fauna, history and Indigenous cultures of the coastal region. Combined with educational programs for children and adults and a native plant garden, it’s a true treasure for the community.