A treasure trove of works and exhibitions focusing on the Golden State, the Oakland Museum of California near Lake Merritt is a beloved local space. Its interactive exhibits are both thought-provoking and hyperlocal. “You Are Here: California Stories on the Map” extrapolates the stories that can be found with maps, including one made by community members of Little Tokyo Los Angeles at a time when many residents were being displaced. “Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory” celebrates the work of Bay Area artist Mildred Howard with a landmark retrospective. And don’t miss the exhibit on the Ohlone people in OMCA’s Gallery of California History.
The museum is popular among families — there’s a “nature playspace” where the littlest guests can walk through a metal culvert and play with pretend food, along with outdoor spaces like a California native garden that represents the biodiversity of the state. Save time to indulge in the 24-hour-brined Southern fried chicken at the museum’s award-winning restaurant, Town Fare, helmed by chef Michele McQueen, and for some pre-weekend fun, Friday Nights at OMCA is a chill event featuring local musicians, food trucks and live performances.
