Aerospace Museum of California

"Local Hidden Treasure"

The Aerospace Museum of California is OFF THE HOOK. Hands down the best $8 I've spent in Sacramento.  The museum is extraordinary! Children of all ages can explore, climb into, or imagine what it would be like to soar through the skies in several of many aircraft parked out back.

The Docents  are all sweet old men who I imagine all must be veterans and war heroes. They probably didn’t need much docent training as I’m guessing they've piloted the planes that are housed here and lived through the history of the aircraft. Currently, all active duty service members with ID can bring up to 5 family members for free.

Guests will experience historic planes and displays representing over eight decades of aviation history, as well as a chance to view thrilling jets like a famous ‘Top Gun’ F-14 Tomcat just like the movie.

On display is one of the original Norden bomb sights which were used by American bombardiers for precision day bombing during World War II. These bomb sights were really small computers and were maintained and repaired in the shops at the Sacramento Air Depot (later Sacramento Air Logistics Center at McClellan AFB).

Art pieces on loan from the Coast Guard Art Collection feature oil paintings, water color and acrylic art works. These pieces depict Coast Guard personnel, equipment, historic events and other subjects in scenes relevant to the service and its mission.

The Museum’s collection of engines is quite extensive and grows frequently as new engines are restored and put on display.

Have you ever wanted to fly as a pilot in a World War? Now is your chance. The Motion Ride Simulator allows you to have the feeling and visual effect of sitting in the cockpit with the pilot and experiencing flight as never before. Or, you can launch from an aircraft carrier and fly a mission in a US Navy F/A-18. There is a small extra charge, but it is worth every cent!

The AeroPlay Kid Zone allows kids to fly non-motion flight simulators (think miniature versions of planes the kids can sit in and pretend to fly.) There are several kid size tables set up with coloring pages, planes the kid’s can assemble with tools, and foam puzzles.

I’m planning a return trip very soon!!