This Berkeley museum doubles as a research center at the University of California at Berkeley. Its evolutionary history collections and exhibits include invertebrates, microfossils and paleobotany. The free museum is also known for its accomplishments in technologies such as environmental scanning electron microscopy and molecular paleontology. You will find the latest cutting edge research here. After a trip to the museum, take a walk through the university's beautiful campus.

The Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, a natural history museum in the University of California, was established by philanthropist Annie Montague Alexander. Founded in the year 1908, it has grown to be one of the best centers of study of for vertebrae evolution in the West Coast. It also has one of the most extensive collection of specimen including different living forms like reptiles, mammals, birds, amphibians etc with other informative factoids like notes, photographs, maps and records. The museum has become a center for all researchers interested in evolutionary biology.

As the name suggests, EcoHouse is an environment friendly house. Made out of recycled building materials, the home is equipped with a permaculture garden, photo-voltaic panels, grey water irrigation and rainwater harvesting system, a solar water heating system and many more such features. Classes and workshops are held regularly on the site to educate visitors about how eco-friendly homes can be built. Tours around the house and the garden is also possible. Note that since the EcoHouse is a rental property, checking the event and workshop schedule before visiting is necessary.

This is a hands-on science museum. Walk in past a full-scale fiberglass model of a fin whale and indulge in earthquake simulations, dice-rolling games of probability, a planetarium and hundreds of other exhibits for both kids and adults. The younger set will particularly appreciate the Wizard Lab. The view from here (day or night) is about the best you will get in the Bay Area.