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.

Today's Headline: Go Before Everyone Else Figures It Out…read more I'll be honest. I didn't fully understand what I was walking into. I knew the new David Geffen Galleries had just opened and there was a block party, but I surprised by what the day actually turned into. First, the building. The sweeping architecture crossing Wilshire stops you cold. You walk underneath this massive concrete structure floating over the blvd, then head up into a single floor of galleries. I loved that everything shares the same space instead of being separated by era or geography. One minute you're looking at a 3,000-year-old Olmec head, the next you're standing in front of El Anatsui or two Luis Arenal paintings that completely stopped me. The building somehow makes everything feel extraordinary. I visited on opening weekend and during the LA Art Parade, so part of this review is about a one-time event. There were actual pieces of the Berlin Wall outside, Flying Lotus played a free set on the lawn next to the tar pits, and later they closed Wilshire Boulevard for Jeffrey Deitch's Art Parade. I've lived in LA a long time, and I've honestly never seen anything like it. Somewhere between wandering the galleries, drinking coffee on our blanket in the grass right next to an active dig site, and watching Wilshire transform into an art parade, this day quickly became one of my favorite LA days. You know I keep track. I'll definitely be back on a quieter afternoon to better appreciate the architecture and the experience that the architect is trying to give. As exciting as opening weekend was, I think this is the kind of museum that deserves a slower visit when you can spend time with the art instead of the crowd. A couple practical notes: the bag policy is strict (nothing bigger than 11" × 14" and no bag check), and the D Line drops you almost at the front door.

I went back here for the parade because apparently, June 20, 2026 was the grand opening for the new…read moreDavid Geffen Galleries, which makes the opening I went to in May a soft opening? Anyway, the parade was fun because we could hear people cheering at the end of the street which built up the anticipation of what we'd see next. It reminded me of the Doodah Parade in Pasadena because the props and costumes were clearly handmade. Since the route wasn't long, they went in an oval, so if you missed something the first time, you'd see it again when they came back the other way. I enjoyed the festival feel of it all, especially since there were also a bunch of food vendors to choose from. I got there right when they opened at 10am, so I had no problems getting what I wanted, but towards the end of the parade which started at 6pm, vendors had started selling out of food which was a real problem since people wanted to eat during and after the parade. I even tried the onsite Erewhon Cafe, but they also turned me away and said they were closed. At least they gave out free Popsicles around noon even though there was a long line, but at least it went fast. I had also wanted to try the free crafts, but was told they were just for kids. Since when did making art have an age limit? I'm sure it had something to do with the budget for supplies. You could get into the 3 museum buildings for free if you made a reservation ahead of time. Since I had been there just the past month, I only went in to see the new Chinese dresses exhibit. Since parking was still $23 and I had so many hours to kill before the parade, I ended up walking to the nearby Peterson Museum to at least see the few cars on display for free in their parking garage, then walked 20 mins. up Fairfax to The Grove to kill time there and watch a movie. Apparently, other people did the same since I saw a lot of people with LACMA stickers also on their shirts walking to and from The Grove. Again like in my first visit, the security at LACMA needs to learn a thing or two about treating guests decently. This time around I saw an older woman get on a low stepped wall by the lampposts display to take a video. Following her lead, I also went up, but was immediately yelled at by security. So he yells at me, but not at her? Also, he could've just as easily walked up to me and said in a normal voice that getting on there wasn't allowed. Instead, he chose to make a scene to make an example out of me. I know it's his job, but that doesn't excuse being a jerk. There are ways of getting your point across and still being polite. Anyway, I know that there's a new theater being built at the museum at the end of the year, so depending on what the shows are, I might end up here again.

This place is HUGE!…read more Nice to walk around, wide enough to enjoy and a lot to do. The library an museum is a must

An LA treasure you can get lost in all day!…read more The Huntington is absolutely worth the trip. It's part art museum, part library, part 120 acres of gardens -- and all of it is gorgeous. The Gardens: This is the star. You wander from a serene Japanese Garden with koi ponds and a bonsai collection, to the Desert Garden with cacti bigger than cars, to the Rose Garden that smells incredible in April - May (when in bloom).The Chinese Garden is like stepping into another country. Wear comfy shoes because you will walk miles and not regret it. The Library + Art: Gainsborough's Blue Boy, and Hockney's A Bigger Splash all in one place. The galleries are quiet, cool, and uncrowded if you go on a weekday morning. Tips: Book tickets online -- they sell out. Get a membership if you are local as it pays over time. Go early before it gets hot in the summer. Pack water and apply anti-mosquito repellent.

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!