I loved this museum! I think I found out about it by browsing Roadside America and seeing the “dead gray whale monument” that’s located outside. But then I also remember learning that Pacific Grove has one of the largest monarch overwintering sites in America, and there’s monarch viewing at the museum and a sanctuary a few blocks away, so it all kind of got wrapped up into this must-experience destination. Anyway, what I loved about the museum was the really beautiful, unique displays (“Sands from all over the world!” The “examples of protective coloration” case! Small dioramas of individual reptiles that you view from above!) and displays that looked old and gorgeous, the focus on monarchs, and the incredible Birds of Monterey County exhibition (featuring 291 bird species and 409 mounted birds, including a Passenger Pigeon – one of only about 30 on public display west of the Mississippi). Not just visiting natural history museums but photographing in them makes me happier than maybe anything else on earth. I had a truly wonderful time.