At Best Startup California we track over 300,000 Californian startups and over 1,500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and organisations we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
We’ve ranked the top 71 Museums and Historical Sites companies in California, United States. The companies, startups and institutions listed in this article are all exceptional companies, well worth a follow. We have included links to their websites, socials and CrunchBase (if you’re interested in their financials).
We selected the organisations listed in this article based on:
- Track record
- Executive leadership
- Market share
- Innovation
- ESG rating
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Top Museums and Historical Sites Companies & Startups (California, United States)
Event Network
Event Network is an operator of gift shops for aquariums, museums, science centers and botanical garden.
Founder(s): Helen Sherman, Larry Gilbert
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Gift, Museums and Historical Sites, Retail, Shopping Mall, Social Media
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Waffledog
Waffledog is a stealth mode startup in the luxury pet food space. x test 3.756
Founder(s): Hilly Sherbet, Mark Chan
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Food and Beverage, Museums and Historical Sites
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The Museum of Earth
The Museum of Earth is an experiential destination 100% dedicated to the environment.
Founder(s): David Porzio, Nina Stotler
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Media and Entertainment, Museums and Historical Sites, Retail
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Perceptoscope, A Public Benefit Corporation
Perceptoscope brings immersive storytelling to everyday people through augmented reality “coin-operated” binoculars.
Founder(s): Ben Sax
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Amusement Park and Arcade, Architecture, Augmented Reality, Museums and Historical Sites, Virtual Reality
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Impact Museums
Impact Museums is a portfolio of experiences for art, entertainment, and important social causes.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites, Performing Arts
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Presidio Trust
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park and former military base on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Amusement Park and Arcade, Government, Internet, Museums and Historical Sites, Natural Resources, Non Profit, Training
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Museum of AI
Augmented intelligence app showing people and AI how to work together.
Founder(s): Tracy Altman
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Digital Marketing, Education, GovTech, Machine Learning, Museums and Historical Sites, Software
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Discovery Cube Orange County
Discovery Cube Orange County is a science museum with more than 100 hands-on science exhibits designed to inspire and educate young minds.
Founder(s):
Location: Santa Ana, California, United States
Industries: Education, Museums and Historical Sites, STEM Education
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Bowers Museum
Bowers Museum is a finest arts and cultures institution.
Founder(s): Ada Elvira Bowers, Charles W. Bowers
Location: Santa Ana, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites
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National History Museum
National History Museum offers exhibitions, guided tours, live theatre, educational resources, and programs for adults and youth.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Education, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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AncientFaces
AncientFaces – show & tell their story
Founder(s): C. Filipe Medeiros, Daniel Pinna
Location: San Jose, California, United States
Industries: Family, Internet, Museums and Historical Sites, Photography
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ReplayAR
Augmented Reality App
Founder(s): Brandon Martin
Location: Burbank, California, United States
Industries: Augmented Reality, Education, Museums and Historical Sites, Social Media, Software
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SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity
SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity aims to inspire people to build a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math learning ecosystem.
Founder(s):
Location: Sacramento, California, United States
Industries: Education, Life Science, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit, Recreation
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Marciano Art Foundation
The Marciano Art Foundation is a new contemporary art space in the heart of Los Angeles.
Founder(s): Maurice Marciano, Paul Marciano
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites
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The Bezark Company
The Bezark Company is a design studio that specializes in conducting theme parks, films, museum exhibits live shows and special events.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Events, Museums and Historical Sites, Parks, Trade Shows
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International Spy Shop
Retailer, Consultant, and Spy Musem
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Mobile, Museums and Historical Sites, Security
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Kuvera Partners
Kuvera Partners operates to provide attractions, self-storage, and real estate.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Real Estate, Self-Storage
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Planes of Fame Air Museum
Planes of Fame Air Museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, restore and display historic aircraft for the educational benefit of current.
Founder(s): Edward T. Maloney
Location: Chino, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites
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Gizmo
Gizmo builds interactive objects and unique environments that are designed to astonish, educate, and inspire.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Art, Logistics, Museums and Historical Sites
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U C L A Intervention Program
U C L A is a arts and architecture school plays a vital role in the cultural and artistic life of the campus and the broader community.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Architecture, Art, Education, Museums and Historical Sites
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The Broad
The Broad is a contemporary art museum that hosts temporary exhibitions and art events.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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BondFire Inc.
AI based Historic Preservation SaaS System
Founder(s): Ian Ramos, Todd Lushinsky
Location: San Bernardino, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, SaaS
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La Plaza De Cultura Y Artes
LA Plaza gathers and displays art, artifacts, and documentation that celebrate the rich origins & present influences.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites
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De Young Museum
De Young Museum has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of the city and a cherished destination for millions of residents.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites
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Ely Inc
ELY, Inc is a firm that provides a wide range of fine art services to museum, galleries & private collectors.
Founder(s):
Location: Forestville, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites
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Galleon Ventures
Galleon Ventures is a historical shipwreck exploration and salvage company.
Founder(s): Sean Tucker
Location: Santa Monica, California, United States
Industries: Industrial, Museums and Historical Sites
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Japanese American National Museum
Japanese American National Museum is a museum in Los Angeles, California.
Founder(s): BRUCE KAJI
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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18th Street Arts Center
18th Street Arts Center is one of the top artist residency programs and Performance & event venue platform.
Founder(s):
Location: Santa Monica, California, United States
Industries: Art, Event Management, Events, Museums and Historical Sites, Performing Arts
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The Walt Disney Family Museum
The Walt Disney Family Museum is an American museum that features the life and legacy of Walt Disney.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites
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Aquarium of the Bay
Aquarium of the Bay is a public aquarium located at The Embarcadero and Beach Street, at the edge of Pier 39 in San Francisco, California.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites
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Museum of Flying
Museum was founded by Donald Douglas Jr, the second President of the Douglas Aircraft Company.
Founder(s):
Location: Santa Monica, California, United States
Industries: Aerospace, Museums and Historical Sites, Recreation
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Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Loggerhead Marinelife Center promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles.
Founder(s):
Location: Newport Beach, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites
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KidZone
KidZone is a museum for children.
Founder(s):
Location: Truckee, California, United States
Industries: Children, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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USS Midway Museum
USS Midway Museum was founded in 1992 and opened in June 2004 with the vision of becoming America’s living symbol of freedom.
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Tourism, Travel
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Rancho Los Alamitos
Rancho Los Alamitos is a historic garden that contains a ranch house and hosts events and is home to sheep, horses, and other livestock.
Founder(s):
Location: Long Beach, California, United States
Industries: Events, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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Art Muse Los Angeles Llc
artmusela is a community of art historians, artists and educators who offer small groups private museum tours throughout the LA region.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites
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FAMSI
FAMSI offers research and online collaboration to assist and promotes scholars for research and synthesis on ancient Mesoamerican culture.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Art, Communities, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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Crystal Cove Conservancy
Crystal Cove Conservancy preserves historic sites, coastline, native habitat that benefits environmentalists and other public.
Founder(s):
Location: Newport Coast, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit, Recreation
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Museum of the African Diaspora
Museum of the African Diaspora engages in documenting the history, art, culture & aids learning via the global lens of the African Diaspora.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Art, E-Learning, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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BAMPFA
BAMPFA provides art, education, exhibitions, film programs, lectures, symposia, tours and community engagement services.
Founder(s):
Location: Berkeley, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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Los Angeles Police Museum
Los Angeles Police Museum is a museums and historical sites company located in Los Angeles.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Law Enforcement, Media and Entertainment, Museums and Historical Sites
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Chen Art Gallery
The Chen Art Gallery is a museum.
Founder(s):
Location: Torrance, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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Ararat Eskijian Museum
Ararat Eskijian Museum is a cultural center for the performing arts, lectures, and displays.
Founder(s):
Location: Mission Hills, California, United States
Industries: Art, Education, Museums and Historical Sites
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Carlsbad Historical Society
Carlsbad Historical Society offers something for everyone by hosting lectures, social events, and tours for members.
Founder(s):
Location: Carlsbad, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites
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Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History allows to explore wildlife, birds, plants, geology and local culture of the region.
Founder(s):
Location: Pacific Grove, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit, Virtual Reality
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Museum of Tomorrow
Museum of Tomorrow is a pop-up museum platform that translates an abstract and distant issue.
Founder(s): Jessica W. Ho, Kejian Zhao
Location: Berkeley, California, United States
Industries: Internet, Museums and Historical Sites, Software
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JRP
JRP is focused on environmental, natural resources and cultural resources.
Founder(s):
Location: Davis, California, United States
Industries: Consulting, Environmental Consulting, Environmental Engineering, Museums and Historical Sites, Natural Resources
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Hollywood Heritage
Hollywood Heritage is a museum that showcases various art galleries, screening rooms, silver bars and soft hats.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit, Social
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Maritime Museum of San Diego
Maritime Museum of San Diego features a collection of historic vessels including sailing ships, steam-powered boats, and submarines.
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit, Recreation
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Richmond Museum
Richmond Museum is a nonprofit organization that preserves history and culture as well as offers educational-based programs and events.
Founder(s):
Location: Richmond, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit, Social
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Connecting Cultures Mobile Museum
Connecting Cultures Mobile Museum helps students discover similarities between cultures, explore diversity, and connect cultures.
Founder(s): Valerie Lezin
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Art, Education, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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San Francisco Museum And Historical Society
San Francisco Museum And Historical Society is to preserve,interpret and disseminate historical data relating to the City and County.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Local, Local Business, Museums and Historical Sites
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San Jose Fire Museum
San Jose Fire Museum educates the public about the history of the San Jose Fire Department.
Founder(s):
Location: San Jose, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit, Recreation
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History Center of San Luis Obispo County
History Center of San Luis Obispo County has public sites that include a gallery, research room, and book store.
Founder(s):
Location: San Luis Obispo, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites
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Bay Area Discovery Museum
Bay Area Discovery Museum is a museum that offers venues for exhibitions and events, training camps, activities, and programs.
Founder(s):
Location: Sausalito, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Music Venues, Parks, Training
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Marin History Museum
Marin History Museum is the history museum of marin county.
Founder(s):
Location: San Rafael, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites, Recreation
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Cayman Turtle Centre
Cayman Turtle Centre is Cayman’s largest land-based attraction.
Founder(s):
Location: Santa Rosa, California, United States
Industries: Consulting, Education, Museums and Historical Sites
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Fallbrook Historical Society
The Fallbrook Historical Society was chartered and is dedicated to collecting, preserving and displaying the history.
Founder(s):
Location: Fallbrook, California, United States
Industries: Accounting, Museums and Historical Sites, Recreation
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Four Chambers Studio
Four Chambers Studio designs physical and digital interactive 3D exhibits for museums, exhibitions and visitor centers globally.
Founder(s):
Location: Napa, California, United States
Industries: Event Management, Museums and Historical Sites
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Korean War Memorial Foundation
Korean War Memorial Foundation is a historical memorial that commemorates the event and sacrifices achieved during the Korean War.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Government, Military, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit
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San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of art features a rich and diverse cultural experience through their various forms of art on display.
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Art, Education, Museums and Historical Sites
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BrimWood Press
BrimWood Press is a publisher of historical novels, timelines, and visual aids.
Founder(s):
Location: Camino, California, United States
Industries: Museums and Historical Sites
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Margo Leavin Gallery
Margo Leavin Gallery showcases contemporary art (pop, minimalist, and conceptual).
Founder(s):
Location: West Hollywood, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites
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Chinese Historical Society of America
CHSA publishes and offers educational and public programs to celebrate the contributions and legacy of Chinese in America.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Education, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit, Publishing, Recreation
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Bucklin Old Hill Ranch
Bucklin Old Hill Ranch is produce field-blended wines from the vines on the family ranch
Founder(s):
Location: Glen Ellen, California, United States
Industries: Agriculture, Museums and Historical Sites, Online Portals
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David Kordansky Gallery
David Kordansky Gallery is a contemporary art gallery that supports artists by exhibiting art with utmost care and precision.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Art, Media and Entertainment, Museums and Historical Sites
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Lost Art Gallery
Lost Art Salon is a gallery that involves in the rediscovery of historically significant artists of the modern era.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites, Rental, Retail, Shipping
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Heritage Square Museum
Heritage Square Museum is a living history museum that explores the settlement and development of Southern California.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Events, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit, Professional Services
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Pacific Battleship Center
Pacific Battleship Center is a historic ship museum.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Education, Museums and Historical Sites, Non Profit, Service Industry
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Carnegie Art Cornerstones
Carnegie Art Cornerstones promotes creativity, learning, and growth in the careers of artists.
Founder(s):
Location: Oxnard, California, United States
Industries: Art, Museums and Historical Sites, Professional Services
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Orange County Museum of Art
Orange County Museum of Art is an regional art museum engaged in organizing art exhibition programs and providing art education offerings.
Founder(s):
Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States
Industries: Art, Education, Museums and Historical Sites, Recreation
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