Entry No. 6 — the Monterey file — filed under: oddities

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

409 mounted birds spanning 291 species crowd the walls, including 117 original specimens by pioneering collector Rollo Beck and a full California condor, inside a century-old building that throws an annual gala literally titled 'Curiosities After Dark.'

The move: Wander the taxidermy bird hall and fossil-dig pit (free for Monterey County residents, cheap otherwise), then walk through the Chinese Fishing Village and jade exhibits before catching sunset a few blocks away on the coastal trail.

📍 Pacific Grove
💸 $$
⚡ Up for anything
🌗 Indoors

Where: 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

#taxidermy #natural history #mounted birds #free admission #curiosities

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · Atlas Obscura

last checked: 2026-07-20