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.

Seems like there is not much of it at first but when I walk in your greeted by the friendly…read moresecurity guard, after you pay the $3 entry fee you're free to guide yourself into the museum where there are crafts, tools, art, recipes , plants. Deep knowledge given by a beautiful young lady that's from a local tribe about culture and history. This place feels like it's loved and cared for. I purchased this scarf as a souvenir. It's a treasure and deserves to be celebrated more.

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!

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.

I planned a trip to LACMA to see Matisse's La Gerbe in the newly opened David Geffen Galleries. The…read morepiece is even more impressive in person, especially after realizing that it is made entirely of ceramic! I was greatly surprised to see The Great Wave Off Kanagawa which is rarely on display due to light sensitivity and fading issues. You could spend all day here browsing through the outdoor exhibits and main museum. The Pavilion for Japanese Art is set to open in Fall 2026 and the La Brea Tar Pits are just a walk away, but they are closing 7/6 for a few years. The LACMA museum is free on weekdays after 3 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) for LA residents. If you can manage it, the street parking is also much cheaper than the attached parking lot. Otherwise, LA residents can pay $25 for a discounted ticket rather than the $30 for all visitors.

Just returned from my first (perhaps last) visit to the new Geffen Gallery and wow, what a…read moredisappointment. The new building is oppressive, dreary, and terribly designed. There is either too much light and glare to see the exhibits, or it is too dark to see anything. The concrete grey that is everywhere does nothing to set off the works of art on display. And the walls resonate any sound so even hushed conversation quickly echoes into a din. I am so disappointed that after all this time and the loss of some great galleries and historic buildings this "art prison" is what Los Angeles is left with. Thank goodness the Resnick Pavilion, the BCAM, and the Japanese Pavilion are still intact (though the latter has not reopened yet). I felt my faith in this institution slightly restored by walking through the BCAM after my dismal experience in the David Geffen Galleries. I still love this collection, and I hope they find some way to fix the lighting in the new gallery. Because the BCAM still has wonderful pieces displayed respectfully, I am only removing two stars, but it will take something really special for me to set foot in the Geffen Gallery again.

The Huntington is one of the most beautiful places in Southern California. Every garden is…read moremeticulously maintained, and you can easily spend an entire day exploring the different landscapes. The Chinese Garden & Japanese Garden was especially stunning, with peaceful ponds, traditional architecture, and incredible views around every corner. The Japanese Garden, bonsai collection, and conservatories were equally impressive. The grounds are spotless, the staff is friendly, and there are so many quiet places to slow down and appreciate nature. If you enjoy photography, this place is a dream--there are beautiful photo opportunities everywhere you look. I also enjoyed browsing the gift shop before leaving. Whether you're looking for a relaxing afternoon, inspiration, or just a break from the city, The Huntington is absolutely worth visiting. I'll definitely be back.

Pro tip: Book in advance and try to get the 10am when it just opens…read more You will need the entire day to actually see everything. I unfortunately got in the noon section. Wasn't able to 1/3 despite spending 3 hours there. You will need to bring sunscreen and water especially during the summer. Of all things would recommend going to the Chinese pavilion and European house/ rose garden. Both of them are by far the most spectacular especially the Chinese pavilion. It so zen and rich with beautiful architecture and biome of life and gardening is spectacular. If you become filthy rich this is the garden you would want. Haha The European house and grounds is beautiful and lush. Great place to enjoy the old money vibes and get your pics at the rose garden.

Terrific museum. There are two small buildings, one that offers rotating exhibits and the other, a…read morepermanent collection. I liked how the art was hung, as it was eye level and good lighting. The volunteer staff were very friendly and helpful! One suggestion for the room with the rocks, please have placards made that inform us what the rock is, and where it was found. Looking forward to returning and see more art.

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!

If you are in Bakersfield and looking for something to do, I highly recommend stopping by to learn…read moreabout the city's history. Caution: It gets really hot in Bakersfield, so it might be a tad hot. Make sure to hydrate, wear comfortable clothes, and shoes because you will be walking around looking at the exhibits. There are a few indoor exhibits, but the majority are outside. Tours are self-guided, which is a plus because you can freely explore the grounds and village in the back. There are a few indoor exhibits that feature the vehicles used in the past for multiple purposes, and also a barn that includes memorabilia from old bars that our ancestors enjoyed in Kern County. Definitely a cool concept filled with lots of artifacts from the past. What a great day to enjoy a fun blast from the past!

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!