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The California Virtual Tours and Experiences to Enjoy

Wander through world-class museums, tour national parks, hit the beach, and visit the zoo—all from the comfort of your couch.

10 min read

May 02, 2021

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact our daily lives, many of us are hunkering down at home and spending a lot more time on our couches than we normally would. While we can pass the time in self-quarantine by doing virtual online workouts , learning a skill , cooking a new dish , or binge-watching California-made movies and TV shows to keep our minds occupied, it’s tough to stop thinking about all the adventures we could be having instead of practicing social distancing and sheltering in place indefinitely.

Indeed, wanderlust is hard to fight these days. The longer we stay indoors, the more we want to go out and travel. But luckily, we can still do it—virtually. Even though we’re stuck inside our homes, modern technology makes it possible for us to experience the culture, history, and natural wonders of the Golden State through free virtual tours.

Many California institutions, entertainers, and tech companies are creating compelling free online experiences that allow you to witness the state’s unique environs and iconic destinations. Whether you want to wander through a world-famous art museum, see mysterious attractions , or travel to a national park, these entertaining live streams and online experiences can help you escape into another world for a little bit—without having to ditch your PJs and leave the comfort of your cozy throw blanket.

Come for the adorable California farm animals. Stay for the free musical performances. And who knows? These virtual experiences may just inspire you to plan your next IRL California adventure.

The best free virtual tours and experiences to check out now  

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Visit California Zoos, Aquariums, and Farms

For all you cool cats and kittens, make a virtual visit to California’s acclaimed zoos for glimpses of lions, tigers, and bears—oh, my! The Oakland Zoo and the San Diego Zoo  have live cams dedicated to grizzly bears, pandas, penguins, elephants, and baboons, among other animals.

Both zoos are also offering unique virtual experiences for a subscription fee.

 The Oakland Zoo launched Behind-the-Scenes Live earlier in 2020 , which took subscribers inside the zoo five times a week, allowing them to see animals up-close, meet the animal keepers and veterinarians who care for them, and ask questions in real time. While you can no longer subscribe, the previous episodes are available on Oakland Zoo’s website, free of charge. Meanwhile, the San Diego Zoo is providing several different Upgraded Experiences, allowing you to enjoy guided tours and see your favorite animals in action.

For another instant mood boost, check out the cute and furry farm animals at Charlie’s Acres . This nonprofit animal sanctuary in Sonoma is giving educational, family-friendly tours through Airbnb experiences . These virtual tours are designed to show how intelligent the animals are, share their stories of resilience, and display their distinct personalities. If you fall in love with a furry face, you can sponsor an animal and visit him or him in person once the shelter-in-place mandate is lifted.

Children may also experience a sense of wonder and connection to the natural world through the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium . They can see sea otters frolic in the waters, watch for birds, meditate with some medusas, play educational games, make natural history posters, and take online courses to learn about everything from tidepools to kelp forests. If you’ve been looking for the best free virtual tours of marine life in California, you’ve hit the jackpot.

Another one to bookmark for the little ones: The Aquarium of the Pacific is offering a variety of online programming, including virtual classroom sessions and livestreams of exhibits where you can spot penguins, sharks, and jellyfish. Listen to whalesong at the online Whales: Voices in the Sea exhibit, watch lectures on a plethora of topics, and keep those brain cells from turning into mush with the Online Learning Center .

Spend the Day at the Beach

As the weather warms up, sheltering in place gets even harder, and many of us would give anything for a beach vacation right now. Luckily, Live Beaches delivers an at-home beach experience through free virtual travel to the coast. Whether you’re dreaming of (virtually) lounging on the shores of Santa Barbara , hitting the San Francisco surf , strolling along the Santa Monica Pier , or taking in the stunning Malibu views , you can find some solace in the impressive collection of California beach cams . 

While it’s not quite the same as feeling sand between your toes and sunshine on your face—save that for once we’ve officially flattened the curve—pour yourself a beverage and don your bathing suit for an online beach getaway that’s as close as you can get to the real thing (at least for now).

Virtual Museum Tours

Tour California Museums

Are you looking for a change from binge-watching reality TV shows that are so awkward yet oddly compelling? (Yes, even the likes of "Love Is Blind.") Why not enrich your mind and dive into the world of culture? Many prestigious museums and art organizations across the state are welcoming visitors online.

They're providing a wealth of resources including educational videos, additional images and details on exhibits, carefully selected tours, and a variety of digital content for everyone to explore from home. Check out some top picks for virtual museum tours and exhibitions in California that you can enjoy right now.

Dinosaur museum virtual tour

• Visit the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County online for an engaging selection of activities suitable for children, educational resources for teachers, and captivating online videos. Among the highlights is a fascinating video about the smallest dinosaur ever found, resembling a somewhat intimidating hummingbird. This tiny creature's skull was miraculously preserved in a 99-million-year-old amber sphere from Myanmar. Their virtual tours are specifically designed for children and are so intriguing that they can even keep a group of preschoolers completely engrossed (yes, really!).

Science museum virtual tours

• California Science Center : This top Los Angeles museum has a large collection of grade-specific free virtual museum tours, which are as entertaining as they are educational. If you’re looking for a more hands-on virtual museum experience, check out the previous episodes of “stuck-at-home” science projects. These projects use materials that are probably already in many homes (such as paper towels, vinegar, baking soda, and plastic bags) to make cool, science-related arts and crafts. Activities and instructions are available in English and Spanish.
• Fleet Science Center : This inspiring San Diego museum wants to connect you to the power of science through the broadcasting program FLEETtv . Featuring experiments, hands-on activities, behind-the-scenes interviews, and bloopers, this museum takes free virtual tours to the next level.

Virtual art museum tours

• The Getty : The Getty is a free art gallery and museum you have to check out at least once. Keep your artistic spirits up by perusing the vast collection of The Getty’s online art, books, and videos. The resources include an online exhibit on the celebrated Michelangelo and the Bauhaus school, a downloadable art book about Paul Cezanne’s watercolors, and printable versions of the L.A. institution’s famed art pieces that you can color in yourself.
• Explore the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles from the comfort of your home with their extensive range of digital offerings. Through their YouTube channel, you can dive into a variety of videos, participate in daily online activities like their virtual book club, and enjoy a wealth of other online experiences. These include curator-led gallery tours, recorded conversations with artists, and exclusive peeks into the creative processes behind the artworks. These immersive experiences are designed to give you the sensation of visiting MOCA in person, making it a top destination for virtual museum exploration.
• Are you looking fpor some intellectual nourishment? The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ( SFMOMA ) offers an array of video content that grants an intimate look at various exhibitions. Highlights include "JR: The Chronicles of San Francisco," "Marlon Mullen: The Language of Color," and "Nicole Miller: To the Stars," alongside insights into the creative processes of artists. For those eager to explore museum tours online at no cost, SFMOMA provides a wealth of inspiration.
• For enthusiasts of classical art, Google Arts and Culture presents an unparalleled opportunity to explore the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. This digital collection showcases 157 pieces, ranging from artifacts dating back to the 13th century up to works from 1917. It stands out for hosting one of the most extensive collections of Auguste Rodin's sculptures available anywhere, allowing for a thorough appreciation from anywhere in the world.

Free History Museum Tour

• California State Capitol Museum : This is a free museum virtual tour that lets you take your own steps. Learn about our state capital and its fascinating history by roaming the halls of the Capitol building. Admire the neoclassical and Renaissance Revival architectural styles; view original artworks, furnishings, restored governmental rooms, and historic artifacts; and step outside to explore the lush, 40-acre Capitol Park. 

Unusual online California museum experience

• Dive into the eerie and fascinating world of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, a landmark known for its chilling atmosphere and dubbed one of the most haunted locations in California . For the first time ever, this unique estate is opening its doors virtually, offering guided online tours. Constructed over 36 years by a wealthy widow, this extraordinary mansion features over 200 rooms, 10,000 windows, and an array of architectural wonders including trap doors and spy holes. The virtual 360-degree tour promises plenty of intriguing sights and stories to captivate your imagination.

Enjoy Live Entertainment

Speaking of entertainment: Many prominent Californians are taking to social media to share their talents and lift spirits during this challenging time. Talk show hosts have converted their living rooms to studios , famous chefs are offering online cooking classes , and artists like illustrator Wendy MacNaughton are leading weekday drawing classes on Instagram Live.

Several California musicians are also giving people near and far a reason to sing and dance, so check out these performers the next time you need to shake it off.

• Mad Decent Live : Check out Mad Decent Live’s Twitch schedule for awesome musical performances and talks from the likes of Diplo and more. You’re in for free online experiences   full of music, laughs, and an overall good time.
• Michel Franti : East Bay musician Michael Franti and his family launched a Stay at Home World Tour in 2020 with daily Facebook video performances. He continues to frequently livestream on his Facebook page and the sessions are as captivating as ever.
• Cal Performances: University of California, Berkeley is behind this awesome at-home entertainment initiative. Enjoy original, full-length music and dance performances, listen to authors talk about their writing journeys, and more by buying a pass on the website and getting exclusive access.   

Free Online Experiences 

Escape to a National Park

From towering redwoods and granite monoliths to striking desertscapes and snow-capped mountain ranges, the state’s national parks are home to some of the world’s greatest natural wonders. While you may not make it to your favorite national parks in person anytime soon, you can still go on an adventure—albeit virtually—by taking digital tours with Google Earth.

Thanks to advanced mapping technology and 360-degree cameras, you can explore the highest peaks, descend into the deepest valleys, and watch the stars from afar—all from the convenience of your phone, tablet, or computer. Sure, it may not be the same as lacing up your hiking boots and inhaling the crisp, clean air of the wilderness, but it’ll help scratch the wanderlust itch for now.

To take a digital hike, so to speak, go to Google Earth to see a list of the parks with tours available. Simply click on the one you want to see, and you’ll be whisked away to view a series of interactive photos featuring breathtaking trails and vistas. From  Joshua Tree National Park  to  Yosemite National Park , here are the California national parks to explore on a free virtual tour from the comfort of your couch:

• Channel Islands National Park
• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Redwood National and State Parks
• Sequoia National Park
• Yosemite National Park  

Share your favorite virtual experiences with your friends and family so you can enjoy them together and stay connected, wherever you might be sheltering in place.

Which live streams, online museum tours, and virtual experiences do you plan on trying? Let us know in the comments.

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Free Virtual Highlights Tours

New! Enjoy a free virtual highlights tour of the Bowers Museum. Watch this space for new tours launching year-round and enjoy a sneak peek into the treasure trove that makes up the Bowers Museum's permanent collection and featured exhibitions. Ready for more, plan your onsite visit today!

Free Tours Now Available:

• Beyond the Great Wave: Works by Hokusai from the British Museum Virtual Highlights Tour
• The Power of Photography Virtual Highlights Tour
• Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence
• Guo Pei: Art of Couture
• Everest: Ascent to Glory  
• Ancient Arts of China: A 5000 Year Legacy  
• Gemstone Carving: The Masterworks of Harold Van Pelt  
• California Bounty: Image and Identity, 1850-1930  

These free virtual tours are made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor.

Private Group Virtual Tours

Book your Group Tour today! Email [email protected] or call us at 714-567-3680.

Now Offering Virtual Group Tours

Have fun and experience something new with loved ones, near and far. Book a private tour to take online with friends and family, on your chosen date and time.

Digital Guides

Explore select featured galleries online using our Digital Guide at guide.bowers.org .

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15+ Museums Throughout California for Virtual Field Trips

By: Author Wendy Kennar

Posted on Last updated: April 18, 2024

School is back in session, though it’s very different this year. For many students, field trips are one of their favorite parts of school. Check out these destinations, located throughout the state of California, yet accessible to us all through virtual field trips.

Many of these museums, national parks, and historic locations offer webcams, virtual tours, videos, and much more that can serve as great supplements to your child’s school instruction.

Click over to our Education Guide for a comprehensive overview of Education in Los Angeles.

15+ Museums Throughout California for Virtual Field Trips + Special Digital Offerings

California academy of sciences golden gate park 55 music concourse dr., san francisco, ca 94118.

The incredible California Academy of Sciences offers a range of digital resources for families. You can explore “deep sea, deep space, and everything in between” from the comfort of home. You’ll find live-streaming lectures, exhibits, and even penguins using the Penguin Webcam.

Monterey Bay Aquarium 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940

While there’s nothing quite like being at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a virtual visit is a pretty fine substitute for the time-being. You’ll find lots of fun online activities, free online classes, science activities, as well as live daily animal-cams.

The Tech Interactive 201 S. Market St., San Jose, CA 95113

If you can’t arrange a trip to San Jose right now, it doesn’t mean you can’t still explore The Tech Interactive. Check out their 25-minute virtual field trip which “focuses on how The Tech Interactive connects to super cool tech careers.”  

Find Virtual Field Trips in Los Angeles

San Diego Zoo 2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, CA 92101

The San Diego Zoo, often considered the #1 Zoo in the world, offers animal cams so families can enjoy the amazing animals. Watch the hippos, the polar bears, tigers, koalas, condors, and more. And, if you’re missing the pandas, you can also access the pre-recorded panda cam archives.  

Oakland Museum of CA 1000 Oak St., Oakland, CA 94607

The Oakland Museum of CA has a special program called “OMCA at Home” with a variety of digital resources available. “Explore art, history, natural sciences, and more from home.” In addition, families can take virtual tours of the museum.

Check out these Virtual Field Trips in all 50 States

Channel islands national park – live ocean webcam ventura, ca 93001.

Families can “experience one of the richest marine environments in the world with a virtual visit to the Ocean Webcam.” Families will marvel at the kelp forest and marine creatures. The Ocean Webcam is “located within the landing cove on Anacapa Island.”  

USS Midway Museum 910 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101

Families can virtually explore the USS Midway Museum. The virtual tour provides an opportunity to “explore America’s favorite aircraft carrier museum’s most popular spaces and exhibits. Listen to the award-winning audio tour, view a naval aircraft gallery and read amazing historical accounts of the USS Midway.”

Yosemite National Park Yosemite Valley, CA

Maybe your family usually takes a summer trip to Yosemite National Park and that didn’t happen this summer. However, through the marvel of technology families can virtually visit Yosemite and explore its wonders.

California State Capitol Museum State Capitol Room B-27 1315 10th St., Sacramento, CA 95814

Families can view “the Capitol’s blended architectural styles from Neo-classical and Renaissance Revival to California’s own architectural elements.” The virtual tour will make you feel as if you’re walking down the Capitol’s halls, observing the works of art,   marveling at the artifacts, and more.  

SeaWorld 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109

SeaWorld@Home is a variety of “fun family activities and entertainment to enjoy at home.” You’ll find coloring pages, crafts, educational resources, games, and the chance to virtually ride one of SeaWorld’s roller coasters!  

Alcatraz Island San Francisco, CA  

Are your kids intrigued by Alcatraz Island? You can virtually explore this landmark, view objects made by infamous inmates, read historic documents, and more.

La Purisima Mission 2295 Purisima Rd., Lompoc, CA 93436

La Purisima Mission was the 11th of the 21st Missions established in California in 1787. “Today, La Purisima Mission State Historic Park is considered the most completely restored mission in California, with then of the original buildings fully restored and furnished.” Virtual tour opportunities include the Church, the Weaving Room, the Visitors Center, and more.  

Read about the Importance of Field Trips

Chumash painted cave state historic park ca-154, santa barbara, ca.

While the Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park is one of the smallest State Parks in the state (a little more than 7 acres), it’s really something quite special to explore. This cave is “one of the best preserved rock art sites in California and of the Chumash people.” Additional background information as well as a virtual tour are available for families to explore.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido, CA

Visiting the animals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has always felt like going on a mini-safari. Now families can marvel at many of the Safari Park’s animals by watching one of the many live streams. Observe elephants, giraffes, tigers, platypuses (the only ones in the United States), and more.

The Walt Disney Family Museum 104 Montgomery St. in the Presidio, San Francisco, CA 94129

Fans of Walt Disney will be happy to know they can virtually visit The Walt Disney Family Museum. Enjoy a rather-thorough virtual tour of the facility, explore different exhibitions, and more. Additionally, the Museum hosts a variety of different virtual events on different days and at different times including workshops, story times, and discussions.  

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Three Rivers, CA 93271

Explore Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks from the comfort of home. You’ll find video tours showing guided walks along the trails of Redwood Canyon as well as a guided walk around the General Grant Tree Trail. You’ll be in awe as you see these majestic trees and you’ll be eagerly planning your next family trip to see them in person.  

Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website  WendyKennar.com  where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).

Disclaimer:  MomsLA has made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Therefore, MomsLA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information published here. MomsLA strongly urges you to confirm any event details, like date, time, location, and admission, with the third party hosting the event. You assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our list. MomsLA is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while attending any third-party event posted on our website. Please read our Terms of Use which you have agreed to based on your continued use of this website. Some events have paid to be listed on MomsLA.

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Virtual Tour of California: Best California Webcams, Free Videos and Exhibits

Are you ready to embark on a tour of a lifetime that is the best in armchair travel category? This is a virtual tour of California in all its glory: from majestic redwoods to Disneyland rides to encounters with the cutest animals the Golden State is famous for! And all of this touring is COVID-19 quarantine compliant and absolutely FREE of charge!

VIRTUAL TOUR OF CALIFORNIA  – NATIONAL PARKS

Let’s start our armchair travel and this virtual tour of California with the State’s biggest treasures – National Parks. National Park Service did not fail its fans. Some of the National Parks in California already had video tours published and webcams installed, other parks quickly created some great video footage when COVID-19 quarantine hit. So now you can do a virtual tour of all six National Parks in California.

1.Yosemite National Park

National Park Service shows you the footage from its webcams HERE . Unfortunately Yosemite is one of the parks that has not published any official video tours yet BUT there is this great guy, Scott Highton, who is a virtual reality photographer and who has created a fabulous website of his own with virtual tours of Yosemite that are simply stunning. Check them out!

If you would like to visit Yosemite after the quarantine, here is my detailed article San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip Done Right .

2. Redwood National and State Parks

Park Rangers at Red wood National and State Parks created several ranger-led video tours of the park that are very interesting and educational. At the moment of the publication of this article there were 8 video tours available on their website. I hope they will create more  – I am a big fan!

For information on visiting the stunning Redwoods in person, check out my detailed itinerary San Francisco to Redwood National Park Road Trip .

3. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks published 3 video tours so far. Check their website regularly, they may be posting more.

If you plan to visit these parks in person, here is all the information you need for a great trip: Things to do in Sequoia National Park with Kids .

4. Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park surprised me the most with the abundance of virtual experiences. It sets the bar real high in armchair travel. The Park has 1 beautiful video tour (a little less than 30 minutes long) and 5 live webcams that follow the Park’s wildlife. One of the webcams is under water showing the kelp forest.

I guess even in normal time this Park is the hardest to get to and not many people will be able to see the amazing local habitats (especially under water). So the National Park Service has been providing these virtual experiences for a while now – kudos to them!

5. Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park has a very nice educational video published by NPS and 1 webcam that follows California condors. Unfortunately you cannot see the live webcam footage but the Park publish the best photos taken by the camera.

VIRTUAL TOUR OF CALIFORNIA – SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

6. san francisco attractions.

Last week I published a detailed post about all the best virtual experiences of San Francisco attractions – Virtual Tour of San Francisco . My armchair travel tour has a dozen stops that include museums, concerts and wildlife encounters.

VIRTUAL TOUR OF CALIFORNIA – LOS ANGELES AREA

Let’s continue our armchair travel with Los Angeles metropolitan area. It has lots of places of interest and we are lucky that many of them have virtual experiences available. Here are my favorites:

7. Los Angeles Museums

Google Arts and Culture project made virtual tours of several local museums. The most notable one of which is The J. Paul Getty Museum . It has a splendid collection of 18-20th century art. The other things of note at the museum: beautiful architecture and gardens as well as stunning views of the city.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art is another noteworthy art museum in the area. It houses international arts collections and especially famous for its Asian (Japanese) and Latin America (Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera) exhibits.

Other Los Angeles museums of interest available for virtual touring through Google Arts and Culture project:

The Museum of African American Art

FIDM Museum and Galleries (museum of fashion)

Craft in America (arts and crafts museum)

8. Tropical Reef Aquarium

Tropical Reef Aquarium in Los Angeles offers its fans over a dozen(!) live webcam experiences . Some of them a season specific but the majority are operational throughout the year.  You can see tropical reef, jelly fish, sharks and many more aquarium inhabitants.

9. Universal Studios Lot

Universal Studios are currently developing a virtual tour of the Universal Studios Lot – visit THIS website regularly – they may post it any day.

10. Disneyland

Ok, Disnelyland did not post any virtual tours themselves, however there is this company called Virtual Disney World that posts high quality 360 degrees virtual experiences of Disney rides . Their video collection has dozens of rides from both Disney World and Disneyland. Try them all and have fun in the process! Kids in particular will absolutely love this type of armchair travel.

11. Kitten Rescue Sanctuary

Kitten Rescue Sanctuary is not a bona fide Los Angeles attraction, but just look at those cuties – I couldn’t help but adding the kittens to my virtual tour of California! I can sit for hours watching their webcam s – this is a perfect stress reducing video stream! Could our armchair travel get any better? 🙂

VIRTUAL TOUR OF CALIFORNIA – SAN DIEGO

12. san diego zoo.

San Diego Zoo is considered one of the best zoos in the U.S. and so I consider all of us lucky that it has 11 live webcams that you can enjoy all day long! It is really hard to choose a favorite: penguins, tigers, apes, elephants, butterflies and much more. There is also a pre-recorded webcam of 2 pandas which have been repatriated to China last year.

VIRTUAL TOUR OF CALIFORNIA – AMAZING ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

13. monterey bay aquarium.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best known aquariums in California. It is located in the town of Monterey about 1.5 hours drive South from San Francisco. This amazing aquarium has 10 live webcams . Would you like to see kelp forest or coral reef or jellies or sharks? – possibilities are endless!

If you would like to visit the aquarium and the fun coastal town of Monterey after the quarantine, here is a detailed itinerary for you: Ocean Wonders – Monterey Family Vacation

14. Elkhorn Slough

Elkhorn Slough is a 7-mile-long tidal slough and estuary on Monterey Bay. It is designated National Estuarine Research Reserve and home to many seabirds and, most importantly, sea otters. In normal time the slough is a Mecca for kayakers who come to visit the sea otters. But you can check them out from the comfort of your home thanks to OtterCam webcams.

15. Big Sur

Big Sur is a part of Central California coast famous for its rugged cliffs, secluded beaches and untouched wilderness. Somewhere deep in the forests of Big Sur (the location is not disclosed on purpose) rare California condors created a home for themselves. There are 2 webcams available to view the condors: condor nest and condor sanctuary. You can see the footage from these webcams HERE .

Here is a perfect 3 days Big Sur itinerary for visiting this amazing part of California in person.

16. Año Nuevo State Park

Año Nuevo State Park is located just off scenic Pacific Highway 1 between San Francisco and Santa Cruz and it is famous for its colony of elephant seals. The park has a live webcam that captures these interesting animals as well as flocks of seabirds.

VIRTUAL TOUR OF CALIFORNIA – OTHER

Here are a couple of additional cool things that you can view on this virtual tour of California that don’t fit in any of the above categories:

17. California Beaches

There is no denying it: California is famous for its gorgeous beaches all along its coast. Live Beaches website claims that it has 211 California Beaches covered by webcams. I have not checked every single one of them but I looked at a dozen or so and they are good! So if you want to check them out, have them project on your computer screen as a background to your daily life, you can find them all HERE .

If you ask me which is my favorite California beach, it would be hard for me to choose just one. I like beaches in Santa Barbara, La Jolla, Carmel and between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz . You will need to choose the one you like yourself. 🙂

18. California Ski Resorts

If you are more of a mountains than beach person then you may enjoy webcams from California ski resorts. All ski resorts are currently closed due to COVID-19 quarantine but for the next ski season this is an excellent way to check snow conditions and crowds on the slopes. Ski resorts webcams are available for viewing HERE .

For next ski season you may find my article, Lake Tahoe Skiing for Beginners , useful.

Here are my most favorite books about California that can help you plan a trip to the Golden State:

And here are my favorite movies about California that will make you feel like you have traveled to the Golden State yourself and enhance your armchair travel experience:

I hope you enjoyed my virtual tour of California. But in the end I do hope that one day you can come visit and experience the amazing Golden State in real life.

If you found this information about virtual tour of California helpful and enjoyed this armchair travel experience, please do me a little favor and share this information with others, for there’s a good chance that it will help them with their travel plans. 🙂 Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram where I post many more cool photos and videos about our trips than I could include in a blog post and organize some nice giveaways!

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2 thoughts on “Virtual Tour of California: Best California Webcams, Free Videos and Exhibits”

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Thanks Lisa

Hi Lisa, thank you for your kind words about my blog and the invitation to be Wishposh influencer. Unfortunately, I am not located in LA so I am not sure I will be of any help here. Good luck with the business!

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You Are Here Virtual Tour

Maps can do more than telling you how to get places! Learn how Californians use maps to tell powerful stories about community, nature, and the places we love. Dive into Oakland’s past, find the East Bay’s favorite tacos, and reimagine your neighborhood with maps from our You Are Here exhibit. This is a virtual tour.

Dates : October 18, 2022 to February 10, 2023. Spring dates will be released later this year.

Days : 1st & 3rd Tuesdays

Times : 9:30 am, 11 am

Duration : 45 minutes

1020 O St., Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 653-7524 [email protected]

Explore the state’s diverse history, arts & culture

Discover the lives & legacies of California legends

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Inspire California’s next generation of dreamers

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Capitol Tours

Tour the inside of the capitol.

Join us for an exciting tour of the California State Capitol!

Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of the Golden State.

Tours run weekdays on the hour from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Join us for an exciting tour of the California State Capitol! Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of the Golden State. Our knowledgeable guides will take you on a captivating journey through this iconic landmark, showcasing its stunning architecture and fascinating exhibits. Discover the stories behind California’s government and gain a deeper understanding of its influential role in shaping the state’s past, present, and future.  

• Public tours run weekdays on the hour from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
• Sign up for tours at the Information Desk in the first Floor Rotunda.
• Our public tours are limited to 20 individuals on a first-come, first-served bases.
• We can only accommodate groups of up to 10 people on each public tour.
• Schools and groups of 10 or more may make a tour reservation by calling Reserve California at 1-866-240-4655.  

Please call the Capitol Tour Office at 916-324-0333 with any questions.

The Capitol’s hours of operation are updated daily.

The Science of Surfing

an Educational Exhibit featuring the wave art of Phil Roberts

The California Surf Museum was founded in 1986 and has been in operation for three decades serving tens of thousands of annual visitors from over 40 nations around the globe. With a permanent collection which chronicles the history of surfboards and wave-riding, the museum also offers many revolving exhibits each year. In its current museum-quality space, it has acquired a rare set of archives and collections gathered over more than 30 years, comprising one of the world’s richest troves of surfing history.

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CALIFORNIA SURF MUSEUM STORIES

Check our latest stories, go to the main Stories page to read more .

Alive on Arrival Dale Dobson

© 2024 California Surf Museum. All Rights Reserved. The California Surf Museum is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization EIN: 33-0215579. Information on this website is presented purely for educational and informational purposes. We do our best to be ADA compliant, to make sure our website provides meaningful access and effective communication to those with disabilities. Site design: Design Grotto

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National Museum of Natural History Virtual Tours

Access the tours.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display.

Virtual Tour Tips

• To navigate between adjoining rooms in the tours, click on the blue arrow links on the floor or use the navigation map in the upper right of the presentation screen.
• Look for the camera icon which gives you a close-up view of a particular object or exhibit panel.
• Try zooming in as some of the images are stitched together from individual pictures in order to create very high resolution gigapixel images.

Please note: This tour and these presentations have been tested and should work on all common devices, browsers, and operating systems (using a desktop computer with Windows, Mac, Linux or a mobile device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Android). Functionality and appearance may vary as it will adjust automatically to accommodate the most visitors. While the virtual tour has no advertising, ad blocking software or browser settings that block JavaScript and/or XML may interfere with the functionality of the virtual tour. Please let us know what you think of the tour and how the experience can be improved. Send your feedback to the NMNH Web Team .

Site Credit: Imagery and coding by Loren Ybarrondo

Equipment Used: Professional Nikon digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera bodies and lenses. The photography is typically done using rectilinear lenses with minimized distortion and shooting equirectangular panoramas at 22K pixels on the long side.

Software Used: No authoring software is used. The tours are hand-coded in HTML5 and JavaScript using the krpano graphics library.

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