Closed again for installation removal before reopening again in January with a new exhibit. My bad…read moreluck. They apparently change exhibits every 2 months. Maybe one day my timing will improve. Make sure you call before showing up.

I would call this a hidden gem in Torrance. I had heard about it, but finally decided to visit…read more Best part, it's free. No charge. It's located in the civic center, in the back, so you can't see it off of the street. It's almost a game of hide and seek, where you need to find it. Even when I did finally find it, I wasn't sure I was at the right place or if it was even open. However, I was not disappointed when I finally walked inside. It's a teeny place. More like a gallery than what I would call a museum. Open floor plan. Great art though. An eclectic collection of paintings and mixed media when I visited. There were a couple other parties viewing the artwork. Not crowded. Parking: Free lot.

Looking for something fun to do over the weekend? Admission to the Broad is free and Parking is…read more$19. Accessible by the metro, a stroll the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Living in Los Angeles, it's kind of rare to feel like a tourist in your own city. The Broad is a stunning gallery that has amazing pieces on display! We definitely booked tickets for Takashi Murakami and decided to double up on the Infinity Room. It was so fun and please do not sleep on the gift shop. The Takashi pins are nice gifts!

5.8.26 Tickets are…read morerecommended and can be reserved on their website, though walk-ins are accepted. Options include General Admission or General Admission with access to the Infinity Mirrored Room (reservations for this open the last Wednesday of each month). I mistakenly booked only General Admission and was disappointed to find that the Infinity Room was fully booked at my time slot. General admission includes access to the museum's third-floor galleries. I typically gravitate toward art museums over history or science museums, and this one delivered. The collection features primarily paintings, along with several portraits and sculptures--engaging and thought-provoking throughout. There is a parking garage located beneath the museum. Rates are $19 for the first three hours with museum validation, $7 for each additional 15 minutes, with a $29 daily maximum. There's also a $19 flat rate after 5 pm on weeknights and all day on weekends.

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!

To be perfectly honest, if you were to ask me how to describe/explain what The Huntington has to…read moreoffer, I wouldn't even know where to start - quite literally. When I've told friends and family about this place, I've almost always been at a loss for words because there is just so much to detail. And yet, if/when they ask me if it's worth checking out, the answer comes out quick, clean, and clear - absolutely! Sitting on what is/was the Huntington family's estate, this place is very impressive. Within their expansive, palatial grounds, there's a library, multiple art galleries and museums, several botanical gardens, a conservatory, a research center, an educational center, a Japanese heritage house (Shoya House), a tea room, a Chinese restaurant, a milk tea shop, numerous smaller gardens, and so much more. What's more, each of those museums, galleries, and gardens are distinctly different from each other - galleries and exhibits featuring American, British/European, and Asian artwork, a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, a desert garden, a rose garden, a bonsai garden, a California garden...and the list goes on. Despite having spent the better part of a day walking around and exploring the grounds, I'm pretty sure we only managed to get through roughly half of what there is to see here. Of the ones we did make it through, my favorites were the Chinese and Japanese gardens, as they felt the most tranquil and offered the most shade of all of the gardens we saw. Not to mention the fact that we ended up spending a lot of time here before and after stopping in for lunch at the Jade Court Cafe in the Chinese garden. Among the galleries, I also enjoyed walking through the Huntington's Art Gallery, which seemed to hold most of the oldest American and European pieces, as well as historical info about the Huntingtons themselves. Given how much there is to see here, The Huntington is worth the price of admission, even if it does appear to be a little hefty ($34 for adults, with discounted rates available for seniors, students, military, and kids). They do offer free admission on the first Thursday of each month as well, but you'll need to claim tickets in advance starting the Thursday before. Also, if you're short on time, the visitor center has a list of highlights and suggested itineraries, but you'll inevitably miss out on a lot to see. Whenever you do come here, though, even if it's just to go to their tea room, make sure to bring sunscreen and wear some comfortable shoes, as you'll end up doing plenty of walking outdoors. They do have a tram that circles loops around the grounds, but you'll still have to walk from the stop to wherever you want to go. Just make sure to stop and smell the many flowers along the way!

This is a beautiful campus. I had some visitors come from outside the country so I was the…read moredesignated tour guide. The daughter loves museums, so this was definitely on my list to take them. There are a variety of art pieces, paintings, photos and what not to look at and admire. The view is amazing a dm there are a few places to grab some snacks and food if you get hungry. As far as the tours, you can guide yourself, get audio devices for a guided tour and there are staff ready to answer your questions if needed. The staff is friendly and professional. Parking is easy and there is a tram that takes you from the parking structure to the museum. Definitely a great place to visit to appreciate art and the views. Great place to take photos also.

I never really know how to write reviews for museums because I'm not someone who can effortlessly…read moreanalyze art and start speaking in poetic paragraphs but I do love the Getty & just wanted to share my experiences so far. I've visited the Getty several times over the years and at first I found it a little overwhelming because there are so many exhibits and paintings that it's hard knowing where to even begin. Eventually I decided to make a game out of my visits instead. I started using ChatGPT to give me lists of paintings to look for, questions to ask myself while observing them, facts about the artwork, and prompts about what I do and don't like about each piece. Weirdly enough, that completely transformed my experience at the museum and made each visit feel much more intentional instead of me just wandering around aimlessly pretending to understand everything. Highly recommend trying this if you're someone who enjoys museums but doesn't necessarily feel "educated" in art. As a huge Van Gogh fan, I was shocked to learn that his painting Irises is actually displayed here. I had seen some of his work at MoMA in New York City and somehow never realized one of his paintings was practically in my own backyard. If you love Van Gogh, definitely don't miss it. I also personally enjoy exploring the North Pavilion the most because it's where many of the religious paintings are located. The gardens are absolutely beautiful and probably one of the most photographed parts of the museum for good reason. Great spot for pictures, especially if you enjoy Instagram-worthy scenery. There are also several areas throughout the Getty where you get gorgeous views overlooking Los Angeles. The Getty also has two restaurants, several cafés/coffee carts, and recently added a lounge bar around the plaza level. The food is decent but definitely expensive (which honestly shouldn't surprise anyone at this point). The café areas sell salads, sandwiches, pita and dip plates, pastries, snacks, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. Personally, I don't think the salads are worth the $18-$19 price tag, so I usually just grab coffee, snacks, or occasionally a small bottle of champagne and save my actual appetite for afterward. One thing I appreciate is that they have charging stations in the entrance hall in case your phone is dying halfway through your visit. There are also multiple gift shops throughout the museum with a pretty wide variety of books, souvenirs, stationery, art prints, and gifts. I think weekdays are probably best if you want smaller crowds, but I usually go on Saturdays because the museum stays open until 9 PM and parking becomes free after 6 PM on Saturdays specifically. Otherwise, parking is usually around $25, though reduced rates kick in later in the afternoon. A few tips in case you plan to visit for the first time: - Bring a sweater or coat because it can get surprisingly cold and windy. - Download the Getty app beforehand so you have the map available. - Wear comfortable shoes because you will walk a lot. - And don't pressure yourself to "understand" every piece of art. Some aren't going to stand out to you and that's okay. - Be ready for traffic. The downside of the museums location is that it's smack next to one of the worst freeways known to man -- the dreaded 405.

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!

This museum is in a really nice location. It's right next to the beach and you can't beat that. I…read morebought my tickets online and they had a special for 50% off. There's also free parking next to the museum which is a plus. It was my first time at this museum and it's a pretty small museum. When I went, the second floor was closed because there was an event that night. I went to see the Robert Williams exhibit which is on the main floor and there was a lot to see. There's also a lower level with an exhibit for local high school artist which is cool. Although the museum was small I was there for almost an hour. I thought the description of the pieces were very detailed and helped me understand what I was looking at.

Love it here! There are two buildings. It's the building on the right…read more The computers were down on the Saturday I visited, so admission was free. Otherwise, general admission is $15 and admission for seniors is $10. I visited during the Robert Williams exhibit. Great, comprehensive collection of artwork, past and present. Paintings and sculpture, large and small. There's a small gift shop located immediately next to reception. The basement exhibit was artwork created by middle school, up and coming artists. The second floor was an exhibit surrounding paper and books. Although visitors are not allowed to go outdoors, awesome ocean view from the second floor window and patio. You can either take the stairs or elevator. Parking: I parked on the next block. Free, residential street parking.

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

We drove all the way from Los Angeles to visit, and while the building itself is architecturally…read morebeautiful, the overall experience was extremely disappointing. The museum has very limited content. There are very few artworks on display, and much of the space feels empty. It was surprising to see a large number of staff but very few visitors, which created an odd atmosphere. What made the experience worse was the lack of clear guidance combined with overly intrusive staff behavior. In the children's drawing area, there were no visible instructions about how the space should be used. Our child was simply drawing on paper at a table provided for that purpose. Within just a few minutes, staff approached us three separate times to tell us that drawing must be done using a board and not on the table. For young children, especially in a space that appears designed for them, this kind of repeated correction--without any posted instructions--felt unnecessary and unwelcoming. Instead of supporting families, it felt like we were being monitored and interrupted. As a nonprofit institution, one would expect a more thoughtful, visitor-friendly experience. Unfortunately, the combination of minimal exhibits, unclear organization, and unfriendly interactions made this visit not worth the trip. We will not be returning. By the way, parking is $8 per hour and requires a three-minute walk from the parking structure to the building.

Did you know that LACMA is free for LA County residents after 3 pm on weekdays. The large new…read moregallery space designed by Swiss architect Zumthor is light filled and spans Wilshire Blvd. It was very crowded on the Friday that we went, as the D Line had just opened. There was also free jazz in the courtyard. There were a couple of food trucks and lots of seating. The outside views from the gallery are awesome. The collection is outstanding however I didn't like the random displays which made no sense whatsoever. Most museum galleries are organized by sections but not here, which made it very confusing. Don't forget to see the massive Matisse at one end. There's also a Erewhon and gift store. Highly recommend for every Angelino.

So much concrete.... It's everywhere covering everything. Who needs trees or greenery when you can…read morewalk on a large open concrete patio.... Luckily it was cool out when I went, but I don't think I want to be there when the sun is full blast. Between this and the big rock surrounded by dirt, the whole outside of museum is a pretty unwelcoming bleak space for something trying to make art more accessible. The new gallery itself is confusing. Our party kept loosing each other and getting turned around. My friend likened the display to scrolling through social media where random things are just thrown at you with little to no context. It was jarring and exhausting. The building is also very loud due to all the hard surfaces. The windows cased glass cases to be hard to see into and backlit a lot of the works. Some of the information tags were so hard to find we had to image search the works for more info. There were also not enough benches in front of the art. As someone who grew up sitting in museums drawing the works this is a major bummer. I feel like they have a lot more art that used to be on display that's just not there. The Egyptian section was very small and I was unable to find my favorite painting. It felt very heavy on the modern art. Which is my least favorite. The Erewhon cafe is expensive, the only thing around and is giving let them eat cake, the gift shop is also horrendously high priced and pretentious. Gucci stationary anyone? I do truly like art, I have a fancy piece of paper that claims I know stuff & things about it, and I like experimentation. Sadly though, this building doesn't feel like it celebrates the art inside. It celebrates itself and the view of the street below it. It might be interesting architecture, but I don't feel it's serving its function to the best of its ability. I'm majorly disappointed and would recommend visiting another of our great art museums instead. They also having amazing views, but realize their actual purpose.

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!

This place is an oasis. Small, personal, but comfortable. It is directly behind the Torrance Art…read moreMuseum. Please donate to the Museum if you go and they are open. Pine Wind Garden is aesthetically pleasing and a cool place to hangout in peace and quiet. Do not feed the fish. Respect the property and enjoy your stay.

This place is very peaceful even with a crowd of people. Because this garden is based in a…read morecommunity area, everyone there knew to be very respectful towards the garden. The koi fishes were so big and beautiful! They kept swimming towards me, thinking that I would feed them.