California Heritage Museum

Step out of the sun and take in a bit of California history in a restored 1894 house that was originally built for the son of the founder of Santa Monica. Though the house itself—devoted to the Victorian period—is worth a look, rotating exhibitions on topics related to the region are the real draw. Recent shows have focused on surfboard design, California fruit box labels and Hawaii’s influence on the local lifestyle. The museum is at its busiest on Sundays, though only outside: it hosts a hugely popular farmers' market every Sunday morning.