Historical Gems of the San Francisco Bay Area

This thorough guidebook identifies and describes in some depth museums in the eleven counties bordering San Francisco and Monterey Bays. The book's main section lists museums alphabetically and provides their location, contact information, hours, costs, gift shop, their permanent exhibits, their strong or unique features, and any research facilities they offer. The book begins with a series of short chapters organized by periods in California's development. Each of these chapters contains a brief overview essay followed by a checklist of museums relevant to the era. Checklists include a place for museum staff to sign, certifying schoolchildren's visits. Other chapters list museums by county and by such categories as famous literary figures, and business successes. Other categories include railroads, ships, agriculture, mines, firefighters, historic homes, historic sites, and scientific discoveries. It helps that the lists cross-reference many of the museums: Lick Observatory is listed as an historic site, and, separately, as a place of scientific discovery, and the Haas-Lilienthal house is listed both as an historic house and as the home of a business tycoon. Museums are not limited to California topics: world history sites include the Rosicrucian's Egyptian Museum in San Jose, the Hakone Japanese Gardens in Saratoga, and the Hoover Institute at Stanford University in Palo Alto. The book is a wonderful compilation, and anyone interested in California history will profit from owning it. One can only marvel at Mr. Di Giacomo's dedication--and stamina!--in creating it for us.