California Oil Museum

1001 E Main St, Santa Paula, CA 93060, USA

Address:	1001 E Main St, Santa Paula, CA 93060, USA
Phone:	+1 805-933-0076
Site:	oilmuseum.net
Rating:	4.6
Working:	Closed Closed 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 12

A Private User

The Museum is a hidden gem. It explains Californias history in oil exploration and exploitation. There are rotating exhibits as well as a uniqe separate building with oil equipment which actually runs when you are in the building. It is small and very manageable for kids, not too big and moving parts. It is conveniently located next door to the relatively new Santa Paula Art Museum which specialzes in plein air paintings. It also is small but has first class rotating exhibits. The two are a very manageable half day.

George Vazquez

The museum is smaller and more unknown than other more famous museums in the southern california area. But this museum does capture an important part of the California history which is often forgotten. Oil. Many people, including myself grow up not knowing how oil shaped southern California and continues to do so. Worth visiting if youre local to the area. They have big displays of some of the equipment used in the past. Theres free parking.

Kyle Nichols

Really cool for anyone who likes history. A lot of pictures and artifacts that illustrate how different life was for the early adopters of Santa paula and the oil industry in general. Obviously biased to make the oil companies look good, but when you keep that in mind its still a fun and educational place to go. Its fun and cheap enough where I would go back. The tour of the original offices was my favorite part.

Ben Hipple

Nice little museum, they have some displays aimed at kids. The full size oil drilling setup from the 1900s is impressive, it is in the side building be sure not to miss it. Unfortunately when I was here the back gallery was closed to set up a new exhibit and we did not get to see the second floor that is only by docent-led tour. This made the museum kinda small so if you can go when those parts are open.

René Nusch

Kleines überschaubares Museum welches über die Erdölförderung und dessen Marketing informiert. Von Beginn der Förderung bis in die 90er Jahre. Interessanter Zwischenhalt bei Durchrreise oder ÜBernachtung in Santa Paula. Zeitanspruch max 1 bis 1 1/2 Stunden

kramesc

This is a nice little museum with a fair amount of history and artifacts related to California oil and the environment. Some of the video displays did not work. There is a separate building with a pseudo-working oil rig thats fun.

Rusty Pittman

Small but packed full of interesting exhibits on Californias oil history. After you finish visiting the museum talk a pleasant walk down Santa Paulas Main Street.

Kurt Kirkland

Really nice small-town museum, lots of local oil history came from this location. I liked the model of the drilling rig - very detailed and interesting.

Zeke Barragan

Small but interesting. We came for the historical designation and ended up getting an education on oil and the early history of Southern California.

A Private User

Museum is a Gem and was created by Union Oil, Historical and provides numerous displays on Oil processing and History, Very Educationall

Janelle Brewer

Interesting and well preserved piece of American history

William R Torres

David Herdeg US NAVY.