LOVELY and well maintained garden! I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. We were fortunate to visit…read morewhen they had the mosaic sculptures featured throughout too, which was an added bonus. I loved seeing the sculpture that will be at Burning Man this year. The garden is on the smaller size for a botanical garden (some stuff was under maintenance while we were there) but the gardens were impeccable. My favorite part was all the dahlias. Stunning! Your entry ticket ($12 for adults) also includes admission to the library, which had a bonsai area and some fun history. We were able to easily find free parking nearby. All the staff was so friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the work. I definitely recommend this spot! Such a beautiful, relaxing space.

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

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.

When I went, desire then having lots of space very little was out to look at. It was free, so not…read moremuch room to complain. You do get more than you pay for lol. They have an area where you can add your art too which is cute. The immersive experience at the time was cool. It's worth the trip, I'm assuming certain exhibitions are more with your gas + time than others so maybe check before you trek

The Sculpture in Civic Center Park Exhibition is a free attraction by the Newport Beach City Hall,…read moreCommunity Center, and Library. There is a shaded parking structure for the area with comfortable parking. It was a hot day, and I was lucky I had some sunblock with me to apply before this spontaneous outdoorsy exploration. These exhibits listed on their brouchure: Interplay Reaching Man Glee Duality Growing Wings Heavy Landing Gecko Millefoilum Trillium Bus Stop Bench Natural Wonders Cosmos: Starry, Starry Night Wind Tree Spiral Dance Coming Through Open Heart Intended Destination Voyage of a Giant The Wave Joy Ride - Removed from brochure Art in Old English We actually came here to see Bunnyhenge... which I don't see listed on the brochure, but more to that in a separate review. Overall a nice free attraction to enjoy an outdoor walk and some art. A very nice spontaneous adventure. Kudos to my boyfriend for finding such a cute spot.

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.

Tiny Balboa Island's history tucked into one building! The museum is on the main street on Balboa…read moreIsland, next to all the shops, eateries and other fun stories. Having just learned of Balboa Island, I was eager to learn a bit of history. I was surprised to learn about some of the former famous residents of Balboa Island (Shirley Temple Black, John Wayne, Buddy Ebsen, Laura Scudder), as well as many decorated veterans. There was a plethora of souvenir items and other keepsakes for purchase in the museum. If you're planning a visit to Balboa Island, please stop by the museum to learn of its unique history which adds to the charm.

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.

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.

WOW! What a great museum! Took my Father-in-Law here on…read moreFather's Day and he really enjoyed it! The day we came was actually during the world cup and in the main lobby they actually set up a projector and chairs in AC to watch the game! I don't think I've ever been to such a lively museum! LOL And we didn't know this but on Father's Day you can go in for free if you're a dad! Dang we lost our chance but the pricing here isn't to bad actually! About $18/person and if you want to park in the parking lot it's $6. Not to bad! Plenty of parking and clean :) I like that the museum is big, clean, and well thought up when each room is themed! And they also host monthly family culture days! Where they gave free snacks and other local businesses in the community were there to promote their services! If you're still thinking about coming here, just come! You won't regret it :D

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.

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!

I really enjoyed visiting this air museum today. They have an amazing display of airplanes and…read moreautomobiles. All of the employees here are very friendly and knowledgeable about each aircraft. My favorite airplane was the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Overall: I recommend visiting this museum if you enjoy seeing military aircraft or rare automobiles.

So clean so peaceful very pretty and the price is very reasonable. Take your time walking around…read morethe path it only takes about a hour. But so worth being there

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a peaceful hidden gem tucked inside California State…read moreUniversity, Long Beach. I walked into a space that is smaller than some larger Japanese gardens, but the layout feels carefully planned with winding paths, traditional landscaping, a koi pond, waterfalls, bridges, and quiet corners throughout. It is the type of place where taking your time matters more than trying to see everything quickly, and the smaller size actually makes the experience feel more intimate. The garden feels like a world apart from the campus surrounding it, and the transition from the university grounds to the garden is immediate and effective. The koi pond is easily the centerpiece of the garden and one of the most enjoyable parts to spend time around. I found myself lingering by the water, watching the fish move through the pond as the sunlight filtered through the trees. The fish are large and active, and the surrounding greenery, stone features, and water elements create a very relaxing atmosphere. The garden does a good job balancing natural scenery with traditional Japanese design, with each section offering a slightly different view and feeling as I walked through. The bridges and stone lanterns add to the sense of place, and the sound of the waterfalls creates a calming background that stays with you as you move through the space. What I liked most about this garden is how calm it feels despite being located on a college campus. It feels separated from the surrounding area once you enter, making it a nice place for a quiet walk, photography, or just taking a break. The landscaping is well maintained, and the entire space has a slower pace that encourages you to actually stop and appreciate the details rather than rushing through. The garden's design rewards a slow approach, with each turn in the path offering a slightly different perspective on the pond, the plants, and the stonework. The visit is fairly quick since the garden is compact, but it works well as a relaxing stop rather than a destination that takes up an entire afternoon. Reservations are required, so it is worth checking availability before going. Admission is free, although parking is an extra cost and can be the main inconvenience, especially during busy campus hours. The garden's location on campus makes it accessible, but the parking situation can require a bit of patience. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a beautiful spot if you are looking for a peaceful escape rather than a large attraction. The koi pond, thoughtful design, and quiet atmosphere make it a place worth visiting, especially on a nice day when you can take your time walking through the garden. It offers a brief but meaningful pause from the surrounding city and campus life, and the care that has gone into maintaining the space is evident in every corner.