A local small art museum filled with diverse, amazing, & unique artwork by talented local artists!…read moreWorth a quick 15-30 minute visit if you are in the area. Free admission! Parking is unique and is along the middle of the street as well as the sidewalks. It's great to come here every few times a year and see new and fresh exhibits. We always come back because of that! The place is well-taken care of with friendly staff and a lot of side events go on as well! Make sure to research if they are open and ensure they are not in the middle of constructing/preparing new exhibits. Always feels good to appreciate the local arts!

Museum of Art & History or MOAH is in a modern, ferro-concrete buildIng with wide expanse of plate…read moreglass & aluminum framing. It has a generic institutional look so typical since the last fourth of the 20th century.  So much clear glass must trap huge amounts of heat from rays of the intense summer sun which must mean much pollution creatIng energy has to be expended to cool its interior. Not exactly a building meeting zero emission standards in the new age of global warming.  January - April 2022: Exhibition of Works by Marc Steven Greenfield is a must-see. It addresses in a very deft way racism as witnessed and experienced by a Black Man in America in a new, sophisticated, novel light. He raises questions about race, equality, inequality, retribution, and possible reconciliation. His mastery in many different styles proves that he is a meister artist capable of manipulating the media into thought provoking questions often done by confronting and "owning" negative, insulting stereotypes of Blacks on canvas.   In another method, he places Blacks in the style of Catholic icons of the Virgin & Baby Jesus and the Pietà where Virgin Mary cradles the dead Jesus. In the background there are scenes of racist Nazi's receiving just retribution for their horrendous acts against humanity.  There is even an iconic portrait of Yasukè (yah soo keh), who was a Sub-Saharan Black African, who served as a high ranking Samurai in 16th century Japan during the Warring States period, in high Japanese military regalia.    Marc Steven Greenfield is well informed about history, culture, religion, politics, race and synthesizes a powerful brew that if we drink it, it gives us food for thought....Why are we so hung up on the color of our skin?  It's another indictment that we humans are the strangest of all animals.  Be sure to see Mr. Greenfield's interview in the small side projection room. The second floor is dedicated to "What would you say?",  Activist Graphics from LACMA: It's a melange of graphics by various artists depicting Disco Singer Sylvester as Gay or even alluding at a Trans Woman. Black Man in white Ku Klux Klan dress is tongue in cheek, sarcastic humour ridiculing white supremacy.  Series of repeating prints of a woman with the title of "I will not be Assimilated." as though she is threatened by the Borg which, in fact, is our own conformist society.  Esoteric reference to Royal Crown Hair Dressing and showing a woman wearing a dress decorated with a woman showing a big butt seems humourous in line with rap songs idolizing ample derrière.  Another great thing about MOAH is that it's free. You only need to give out your resident zip code. Great way to spend an afternoon creating new, cerebral, synaptic connections.  There are two other associated museums nearby:  Western Hotel Museum and Cedar Center for the Arts Museum. Times and dates vary so be sure to call.

The Bakersfield Museum of Art celebrating its 70th Anniversary was truly such an honor to attend;…read moreand what an unforgettable evening it turned out to be. From the moment you step inside, the space feels like pure magic: vibrant, lively, and brimming with creativity in every corner. The evening unfolded beautifully with a delicious dinner catered by Bord A Petite, an open bar flowing with ease, and a thoughtfully curated silent auction featuring artwork selected by curator of exhibitions and collections Victor Gonzales alongside executive director and chief curator Gilbert Vicario. And the décor? Absolutely dreamy. Thousands of balloons were transformed into whimsical sea creatures all floating jellyfish and playful octopuses that created an enchanting, underwater fantasy throughout the space. I was so wrapped up in the moment: laughing, exploring, and enjoying the evening with my sister and her friends that I barely took any photos of the artwork itself... which just means you'll have to experience it firsthand.

We are members so we love the bakersfield museum of art!!!…read more We most recently went on a Wednesday after having lunch at centro Cali brewery around the corner. It was lovely to be one of the only few people in the museum. They always have great bakersfield and kern county focused exhibits. This time we saw bakersfield standards exhibit which was such a lovely look at all the things that make the valley and its history and culture unique. It made me proud to be a valley girl.

A small yet mighty museum! Includes artifacts, information, gift shop and book time experience…read moreinside the Joshua cottage. On our visit the book title was; Wolf & Isha Make the Land, illustrated and animated by Sage Romero. Can be found on the California Department of Water Resources website. Beautifully illustrated! Quite a few objects that used to be on display are in the process of being returned to the Chumash, Tongva, and Luiseno ancestors. I look forward to seeing the new exhibits that include the Native peoples input. My favorite part of the museum was the brightly painted artwork on the ceilings. So vibrant!

Awesome Indian museum with real life artifacts a place you must go if you live in antelope Valley…read more Palmdale ,Lancaster

Needed a last minute outing to keep the kids busy so naturally, I googled my options. This…read morelocation was pretty convenient so off we went. Tickets were pretty easy to purchase online. I thought it was a timed entry but it is not...or it wasn't when we went. I followed the parking sign on the wall which led me to a lot just a little north of the museum. It was $20 to park there. Had I had more time to plan, I may have parked somewhere else as I felt that was a bit steep. I'm assuming metered parking would be hard to find in that location as it is in the heart of Hollywood. I thought it would be similar to the Museum of Illusions in New York, but rather than a museum feel, this was purely just photo ops. You can rent tripods at the front for $10. They also provide free lockers for your bags and stuff- which I would highly recommend. I didn't take up the offer in the beginning but soon realized that was a better option. I would also like to highly recommend and thank Tim! He showed us the ropes of how to take photos and he took some photos for us. He was friendly, professional and patient with my two young kids. He definitely knows his way around an iPhone camera and showed me some tricks I didn't even know. Tim's photos came out a lot better than mine as you need to find the perfect angle for the pictures to have that illusion effect. The tickets I purchased online also allowed us to go to the giant house next door and the upside down house. Tim came to the rescue again and took some amazing photos for us in the upside down house. It was a fun experience for all of us and I would definitely recommend visiting this location. If you see Tim, ask him for some pointers! Thank you, Tim!

I recently visited the Museum of Illusions and had mixed feelings about the experience. It was fun…read moreoverall, especially if you enjoy taking pictures. There are several photo-friendly illusion setups that make for some cool and creative shots. We bought the bundle deal and also visited the Upside Down House and the Giant House. While those were interesting to see, there still wasn't much to do at either location besides taking pictures. One thing I really appreciated was the front cashier--He was very nice and welcoming, which made the check-in experience pleasant. However, I don't think the visit was quite worth the price. It felt a bit too expensive for what it offers, especially considering the bundle included all three exhibits. The experiences are fun for photos, but they're fairly short and limited in activities. For the amount you pay, it would be nice if there were more interactive things to do or more areas to explore. Overall, it's a good spot if you're really into taking fun illusion photos, but if you're expecting a longer or more activity-filled experience, it may feel a bit overpriced.

We visited for the Native Plant Festival in early April. It was so much fun. The vendors were…read moreawesome and the day was filled with so many wonderful activities. There's also a Native Plant Festival in October, as well. So be sure to mark your calendar. The grounds are amazing and the community is too.

Serenity abounds at this botanical oasis nestled within the suburban neighborhoods of Claremont…read more CBG is located just north of the Claremont Colleges, above Foothill Blvd. Reasonable entry prices and free parking. Annual Memberships offer even greater value. The garden is divided into several sections that are well marked and easy to traverse when you stay on the paved pathways. Sections include palms, oaks, chaparral, water features and art sculptures, as well. For those seeking a fun walking or jogging experience, check out the "Trail" route located in the CA Plant Communities section. If you're lucky, you might see a squirrel munching on their lunch, or a turtle sunbathing while gazing at a waterfall.

My family and our close friends met here to have our high school seniors photographed in various…read moreareas of the grounds. This place is very popular and very nice to visit, offering so much for all guests. The grounds are well-maintained, clean, and inviting, as evidenced by the many tourists strolling throughout the property.

LACMA has come a long way... and the new Geffen Gallery puts it on another level... sort of…read more The new gallery building is stupendous! Boasting over 110,000 square feet of exhibition space, the modern and curvy building spans over 900 feet in length, standing 30 feet above ground and bridging over Wilshire Boulevard. It's open and spacious - I love their placements of many art pieces on tables with no casing! You can get very close the the objects ... ALMOST touching them. But don't worry, there are plenty of security officers around to ensure all visitors stay away from the art pieces. The collection in this gallery is huge - like an encyclopedia museum, encompassing arts from various period and all over the world -- more from Latin America than other regions, it seems. If you are the kind of museum goers who must see famous pieces, you may be a bit disappointed here - though there are a few impressionist pieces by well-known artists. If you go without too much expectation and let whatever meets the eyes delight, entertain, amuse, or educate you, then you just might have a pleasant visit. Do plan a day - the Geffen gallery alone can take 3-4 hours! Other buildings may take another few hours. Except for LA county residents -- you can get in for free after 3PM so come enjoy this great place for 2-3 hours before closing, as often as you like!! My one wish is if they could be a bit more considerate to seniors -- the Geffen gallery is huge; when it was 3 minutes before closing, a group of us (very tired at this time) were near the south exit stairs, but were told we have to use the north exit and shoo'd away from the stairs that were right in front of us. I'm sure there are operational reasons. But a more accommodating visitor handling procedure would have left us a much better experience and a nicer last impression!

I spent the day there with my sister who just turned 86. I hadn't been there since I was a young…read moregirl and didn't remember the challenging hills, probably because they weren't challenging to me then. Pushing my sister in a wheel chair was good exercise for me but thank goodness for the golf cart people who were so kind and gave us rides to wherever we wanted to go. We got to see much more than we would have without them. Our lunch was so tasty at the 1919 Cafe, and even enjoyed a glass of wine on the patio. It was a wonderful day. The Museum and gardens where beautiful and inspiring!

One of the most beautiful places to visit in SoCal. My wife and I enjoyed a wonderful stroll as…read moreflowers were blooming all around. Beware that if it's a warm day, I recommend bringing water bottles and some hats or cover to lessen the heat. Current 2026 Prices: Weekdays (Mon-Thu): Adult $29 Senior (65+) // Military // Student $24 Weekends (Fri-Sun, Holidays, Peak): Adult $34 Senior (65+) // Military // Student $28 Youth (4-11): $13 Children (Under 4): Free Members: Sustaining ($175): Free admission for 2 adults in the same household, member event invites, and store discounts. Affiliate ($350): Includes all Sustaining benefits plus early entry to the gardens on weekends Discounts: Seniors (65+) and teachers/professors can receive $20 off, and 2-year memberships can be purchased for a 10% discount as well. Best part of the garden? FREE PARKING. With that said, it's a free parking lot, pretty big but can fill up very fast during peak hours. Street parking is also available but of course, it comes with a longer walk to the entrance of the garden. If you plan to visit during weekends, come early as it gets crowded very quickly, hence the parking situations. After 2-3PM or so it becomes more spacious. From ranges of Chinese gardens to Japanese gardens, desert, jungle, Australian, there's tons of variety when it comes to The Huntington. I'm very impressed as they have plenty of art galleries as well that's part of the pathways. Very much worth it to check those out during your visit. They have plenty of greenhouses as well similar to the La Brea Tar Pits, those are worth a visit as well. Overall, a wonderful garden to visit, and might be one of the best and biggest in California. A must visit for sure and I'm very impressed with their maintenance. Everything looks fresh and clean here, and always a great vibe overall. The gift shop is also a nice visit if you're looking for some souvenirs.

Such a great way to spend a couple hours checking out California inspired artwork. There's so much…read moreto experience when viewing some subjective art. I also appreciate the historical value portrayed with it. There are two buildings- the north and south. The north side has the permanent exhibits- Disney, stone and scene, radio museum, Maynard Dixon and the Oregon trail, and contemporary paintings. The south has the Emigdio Vasquez art work, Route 66, and Ralph Massey exhibits. I appreciate local museums so much and hope to see so much more of it!

Spent a couple hours at the Hilbert and thought it was a lovely experience. The staff are so warm…read moreand welcoming, and very knowledgeable about the artists and the collection. Tip: for kids (or anyone) ask for the scavenger hunt and get a little prize so fun!

A MUST-SEE! If you're in Bakersfield, you love architecture, and appreciate the growth of a city,…read moreyou need to see the Kern County Museum. The best introduction to a region is learning of its history. I stopped by as I told my Mom this is a highly-rated experience and gem of the community! Turns out, it is. Kern County Museum is an immersive outdoor experience set up as a community or town where you go from houses to buildings to barns, exploring what life was like when people lived in the olden days. We spotted a hotel, doctor's office, schools, courthouse, and so many more buildings. All the structures are well-maintained and have descriptions in front of them. You're even allowed to go in some of the buildings! My favorite was a the spooky Mason Lodge! We spent a while enjoying the stories and significance of these locations which led to the development of a well-known Central California city! Kern County Museum even has a research center, mini art gallery, and children's discovery center. The facilities are clean and well-kept. There's an indoor section to the museum with background on Native American and war-time culture in Kern. My Mom and I came during a week day, we saw several parents bring their children to explore the museum. There's plenty of parking and room to move around. As an educator, i highly recommend checking this out! It's also perfect for field trips!

Spring time and fall is the best time to visit kern county museum. It's almost all outdoors so it's…read moreimportant to have good weather. It is THE PLACE to learn about kern county and bakersfield history. I love coming here and learning new things every time. Not all the exhibits are open each time so it's a little hit or miss but fun to try exhibits when they are open. The country music scene exhibit is really cool and makes you proud of the bakersfield sound and the vehicles exhibit was awesome for any car/wagon lover. I was impressed with the amount of historical vehicles. Then we also love the Lori Brock museum which is perfect for little kids to enjoy the arts/crafts area and make believe area and a small outdoor play ground. It's one of our favorite local activities!

Adorable museum with an enthusiastic and well informed tour guide. I even received a personal…read moreindividual tour! Judy Garland grew up in this neighborhood and her father ran a movie theater just down the street. The museum has the theaters old seats! Myrtie, the proprietress was quite the force to be reckoned with. She lived past 100 and was a stalwart of the community!

Western Hotel Museum in Lancaster is open only on Friday and Saturday 11 AM - 4 PM. I chose to…read morevisit on Friday since Lee Esther's Cajun Créole Cooking in nearby Palmdale has its Friday only delectable Ya Ya Gumbo special in order to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Western Hotel may be the oldest, historical building on main drag Lancaster Blvd. It has a Victorian, rural feel housing so many in the past who have passed away. It is a self guided tour, but you can book a tour at least 2 weeks in advance to see both the MOAH Museum and the Western Hotel for $3/person. I was lucky to get an impromptu tour being the only person in the hotel near closing by Richard who was manning the front reception. Because of Richard's kind invitation, I was enlightened to the importance of the hotel taking part in Lancaster history run by the Webbers. Richard is quite the raconteur telling tales of Lancaster to make Western Hotel part in its history alive again. He also has a witty, humorous side showing me a violin case in one of the guestrooms which hid inside itself a bottle of whiskey and 4 ceramic shot glasses. Richard's very informative, friendly, amiable manner was able to transform a standard self guided tour reading labels into a vibrant, time machine sending me back to the olden times of Lancaster. Thanks for going out of your way and gifting me a very entertaining 60 minutes!!! This was a 5 star experience.