A hidden gem (quite literally) in Laguna Beach, the Museum of Make Believe truly lives up to the…read morewhimsy and magic it seeks to bestow upon its travelers. Highly recommend to anyone seeking a trip of puzzle-mystery with a nostalgic edge. Huge shoutout to Sabrina & Sylvan for guiding us along the way and their warm hospitality.

Super cute, whimsical and magical experience at the Museum of Make Believe…read more After seeing some Instagram posts and reels about the cute space, my friend and I decided to stop by to visit for a day trip. You do choose a time slot to enter, but due to traffic we were going to be a little bit late. We called and let the staff know and it was no biggie. Parking is a bit confusing since it's near a very busy road and residential area, so just make sure you're not parking where you can get fined or towed. After some confusion, we parked in the structure (unclear if allowed or not, but subsequently nothing happened. Phew!). The museum is located at the business plaza building and immediately stands out with it's beautiful storefront and the door that looks like it's out of a fairytale. Immediately we were welcomed by Sabrina, who was not only super informative (but in an easy to understand, not overwhelming way), but super friendly and made our visit that much more amazing. She knows the lore, knew the key and critical points to swoop in to enhance the magic (like when we went to ask the wise wizard some questions), and was very accommodating overall. The people really do make the magic. During your visit, you can opt to do the scavenger hunts and answer the riddles for some prizes and it varies in difficulty from easy to hard, but everything is open to interpretation based on YOUR IMAGINATION. It's the Museum of Make Believe for a reason. The attention to detail is immaculate, from the miniatures and dioramas, the foliage on the ceiling to the ground, and even in the water closet, there's so much to see and you can easily spend a long time just taking everything in. I won't include spoilers but I love that there's not just a lot to see, but to experience through sound and even smell! Lots of thought went into this museum and I'm glad it's getting expanded as well! Can't wait to see what the future holds for such a magical place!

Bonus they have two free parking lots. Note that this year, 2026, they are doing some major…read moreupgrades and renovations so some areas are closed. We look forward to visiting again.

They're open in limited capacity so it's not going to take longer than an hour to tour the grounds…read more Parking was $6.50 Not sure when construction finishes but it shouldnt take long because we spoke to someone there who said the city will want to expedite construction to open the restaurant. Beautiful still. We came the day before Mother's Day for the rose show. Looking forward to coming back when construction completes because at $5 admission that is kind of a rip for how much is there. It took us longer because I recognized someone at the rose show and my son is really into plants but for an average person I'd say 30-45 min is really how much is there right now until they finish the remodel

There are 3 parking options: Tower Plaza Parking Structure (602 Anton Boulevard), Irvine Parking…read more(3201 Avenue of the Arts), and The MET Parking (535 Anton Boulevard). I chose the Tower Plaza Parking Structure (near the Westin Hotel), which was just a short walk to the museum, while the other options are a bit farther. Parking is paid, about $6 per hour. Once you arrive, check-in is quick and no reservation is needed. Admission is free, and they provide a sticker that you'll need to wear throughout your visit. The museum is two floors, featuring a variety of sections and artists. The architecture itself is beautiful and perfect for photos, and the artwork is unique and enjoyable to explore. Overall, it's a great experience, especially since it's free. Tip(s): - Park at Tower Plaza Parking Structure (near Westin Hotel) and just walk to the museum - Free entry - Restrooms available - No appointments needed

To be honest, it was mildly surprising to learn that Orange County has its own museum of art, if…read moreonly because not many of the counties in the Bay Area do, other than SF. Yet, at the same time, given the size and population of OC, it also makes perfect sense. Either way, I can't say I ever would've guessed it would be this nice, though! Just a shame that their exhibits didn't really blow us away... Located in the burgeoning arts and theater district of Costa Mesa, just down the road from South Coast Plaza, OCMA is such a gorgeous looking building. Sure, it helps that it's only a few years old, but the look of this place is no less impressive. Right out in front, there's a 65-foot art piece in the middle of the plaza that helps connect all of the neighboring buildings. Inside, there's a fairly large gallery space on the ground level with rotating exhibits, an upper level that appears to hold their more permanent collection of pieces, a coffee shop right next to the gift shop, and a rooftop restaurant with a large open area/garden. Sadly, though, as nice as the museum's design and amenities may be, though, much of the artwork was just okay. While the artwork upstairs was fine, the featured exhibits didn't really speak to us. Obviously, art is subjective, but one included pieces that appear to have just been drawn with a spirograph. The other consisted of several photographic series, whose commentary on social media I can appreciate, but felt exceedingly voyeuristic in nature - one following/semi-stalking a fellow after a chance encounter, another of strangers invited to sleep in the artist's bed so they could be photographed/documented, and a third showing the belongings of guests at the hotel she worked at. Artwork aside, the thing that I like most about OCMA is how admission is entirely free. So, in that sense, it's impossible to be too disappointed with the experience and/or what we saw. However, one thing to note is that you do have to pay if you park at any of the nearby garages, which are all unaffiliated with OCMA. For example, at the one on the other side of the Segerstrom Center, it cost us about $10 for two hours or so. Alternatively, South Coast Plaza is just a few blocks over and parking there is free, but I don't know how aggressive they are with towing and it feels like a big gamble just to save a few bucks. All in all, even though none of the exhibits were really our flavor, we still had a good time checking out OCMA. Oddly, there weren't many other visitors here when we arrived, but it did seem to get busier as the day wore on (there was a big group walking in as we were walking out) and we certainly didn't mind not having to deal with a bunch of crowds around. Plus, as nice as the museum looks, it's actually fairly small compared to others I've been to elsewhere. Since the featured exhibits have so much influence on the experience, I absolutely wouldn't mind coming back to see whatever they happen to have featured down the line. The ones they had when we were here may not have interested us, but the next ones might! Plus, it doesn't hurt that admission is free! All in all, THREE AND A HALF STARS rounded down.

Really enjoyed looking at all the art sculptures walking an approximate of 1.5 mile loop. The trail…read moreconsisted of cement and gravel paths. The flowers around the path were also in full bloom. There is also a cool sky bridge to take in the beautiful scenery. I could see the ocean! Parking is free and trail head starts at the beginning of the parking lot. There were also two small dog parks within the loop.

Wow, this is a great park!…read more There's a bunch of fun sculptures throughout this nice park. Bunnyhenge is probably the biggest one. There's also a dog park here for small and large dogs. I like how there's an accessible elevator for the bridge to connect the two parks so you don't have to cross the street. Parking is also easy since it's at the civic center. Do yourself a favor and check out the Newport library too!

My husband enjoys learning about the history of places we visit. The Balboa Island Museum is small…read morebut packed with so much information and fun activities. While my husband went through each area, my daughter tried putting together more pieces of the large puzzle at the long center table and I browsed through all the cute souvenirs. The museum is bright, modern, nicely laid out and clean. The volunteers are welcoming and helpful. Admission is free but leave a donation at the door if you can. And make sure to pick up The Scout Guide on your way out.

This place is a hidden gem. The only thing is ... I'd wish it was bigger and a little spread out…read more.. everything that's related to history in regards to the little Island is all smashed into sections . They have a really cute and tinny kids zone area and it's a little interactive as kids can do a scavenger hunt and at the end win a candy prize. They do sells a high end stuff at the museum corner and everything is ...do not touch....when we walked in with a bunch of kids the museum lady at the counter did a quick glance over , I feel like we were being measured to see if the kids would be well behaved , found that a little awkward, but I totally understand since it's a small space with a lot of breakable beautiful things .

Noguchi gardens is a gorgeous spot to just relax for a little, enjoy a break from the hustle and…read morebustle of the world. It's a small space but the artwork is nice and instills a sense of calm that is appreciated

Fun and interesting little place to visit if you are in the area by South Coast Plaza mall…read more Not the easiest place to find since you can't see it from the street. It is behind the Mastros restaurant. There is a parking structure nearby that is like $3 or $4 for 15 minutes and you can probably run through in 15 minutes, but 30 minutes to be safe. You can also walk from the mall parking lot, it is a little bit of a stroll but manageable. There are plenty of pictures so you can see what you are getting into before you make the drive, pay for parking, and walk over. When we went there on a Sunday morning, there were only 2 or 3 other people, so it was very quiet and zen. I enjoyed the write-ups and the exhibits. If I worked right there I would probably visit all the time.

Visit every museum you can at least once…read more Bowers is a nice visit. This is a smaller museum but they still cover a lot of ground. Art appreciation is the focus of your tour. Easy parking on the side. Eat in house halfway through your visit if you like. Or leave and return. I like how the art is arranged throughout the repurposed property. Plenty of descriptions for your reading pleasure on your walk-through. Small museum but taking your time you can easily spend a full day here.

This museum is excellent for families and young kids. They have an older part of the museum that…read morehouses some art pieces and paintings, as well as missionary artifacts. Then they have a whole room dedicated to the featured exhibit (usually at a separate charge from admission). Then there's the newer part of the museum and a small outdoor space that can be rented out for private events! Our toddlers had a great time here, learning from the museum, and they even participated in a scavenger hunt where they had to find and identify seashells throughout the museum. The staff that we engaged with were friendly and kind. The museum is well-lit and well-ventilated. Bonus points for being stroller-friendly! The parking lot is just across the street, $6 all day.

Today the museum revealed their latest addition, a P-51 Mustang…read more It taxied along the apron and into the museum under its own power watched by docents and members.

Dads, out there! You have to take your sons to this living…read moremuseum. They have an amazing selection of planes and cars. More than anything of value, it is the docents who were there during WWII. They tell living stories from those who were there. Like the planes, and the cars, these men who are almost 100 years old, tell some amazing stories. This is a goldmine in the heart of Orange County. It is a living museum. You can see where Hitler stood in his car right in front of you. This is real. Please, take your sons and daughters to this amazing place. Five stars all the way!

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a beautiful spot if you are looking for a peaceful walk…read moresurrounded by Japanese foliage and well-maintained landscaping. The garden features a large pond filled with koi, including around 30 big koi and what looks like hundreds of smaller ones they are raising. It is a relaxing place to watch the fish swim by and enjoy the scenery. One of the best parts is that visiting is free, but you do need to make a reservation ahead of time. They allow up to six people per reservation, and they typically do not take walk-ins, so plan ahead before coming. The garden itself is on the smaller side, and the walking path takes about 15 minutes at a casual pace. Still, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. You will find charming bridges, small waterfalls, lily pads throughout the pond, and even a little Zen garden area. Even though it is compact, the peaceful atmosphere and the well-kept grounds make it a great visit. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area and want a quiet, refreshing escape.

Beautiful, yes. Quiet, yes. But the staffs really do make people uncomfortable. As if they're the…read morestrict parents or mall cops, telling you to move, to not stand there too long, no picture setup, don't stop for more than 30s, don't talk too loud The garden is the size of a small practice soccer field and there are at least 10 staffs

Lovely museum! Had to come for a school assignment but it's worth coming back to see new…read moreexhibitions (they are moving locations though). I loved the art they had displayed around this time. Everything was kept well and clean and the gallery staff was super helpful and sweet. And the cherry on top was free admission and free parking (make sure you get your pass validating by a member).

Visited the UC Irvine Langson OCMA at the Segerstrom Center campus today. Honestly, the current…read moreexhibits themselves didn't really impress me, but the facility itself is immaculate and very well-maintained. The front desk staff are also incredibly friendly and helpful, which made for a great welcome. They have useful amenities like lockers available on-site, and there's a huge outdoor patio and bar on the first floor that's perfect for hanging out.parking structure validates 2 hr parking i guess. Verify it though. Pro Tip: Don't bother with the local paid structures. Just park near South Coast Plaza for free and take the short walk over.