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.

The best store I've ever experienced--yes, experienced. I feel blessed that the rebel in me said…read moreenter even when the sign clearly read "Please, Do Not Enter." What waited on the other side was a cascade of surprise, curiosity, and constant discovery. Every curated piece felt like an invitation to look closer, to see differently. It was clear I had stepped into the world of two brilliant minds, generously offering us a small glimpse of how they see. And I was all in. I left spinning, elevated, creatively full--astonished that a place like this even exists.

I got the cutest purse form here . It was a good day where none of the south coast plaza rent a…read morecops bothered me and left me in peace to actually get inside my bag and make myself happy . It's a beautiful pattern silk blue and green with shiny silky threads

It is a local museum that has a great collection of its own and excellent visiting exhibits. It is…read moredoable in one day which makes it a great place to take friends and family who might be visiting! It can be covered easily in one day if that is all you have, but I see something in the regular collection each time I come that interests me.

This museum is excellent for families and young kids. They have an older part of the museum that…read morehouses some art pieces and paintings, as well as missionary artifacts. Then they have a whole room dedicated to the featured exhibit (usually at a separate charge from admission). Then there's the newer part of the museum and a small outdoor space that can be rented out for private events! Our toddlers had a great time here, learning from the museum, and they even participated in a scavenger hunt where they had to find and identify seashells throughout the museum. The staff that we engaged with were friendly and kind. The museum is well-lit and well-ventilated. Bonus points for being stroller-friendly! The parking lot is just across the street, $6 all day.

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.

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!

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a beautiful spot if you are looking for a peaceful walk…read moresurrounded by Japanese foliage and well-maintained landscaping. The garden features a large pond filled with koi, including around 30 big koi and what looks like hundreds of smaller ones they are raising. It is a relaxing place to watch the fish swim by and enjoy the scenery. One of the best parts is that visiting is free, but you do need to make a reservation ahead of time. They allow up to six people per reservation, and they typically do not take walk-ins, so plan ahead before coming. The garden itself is on the smaller side, and the walking path takes about 15 minutes at a casual pace. Still, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. You will find charming bridges, small waterfalls, lily pads throughout the pond, and even a little Zen garden area. Even though it is compact, the peaceful atmosphere and the well-kept grounds make it a great visit. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area and want a quiet, refreshing escape.

Beautiful, yes. Quiet, yes. But the staffs really do make people uncomfortable. As if they're the…read morestrict parents or mall cops, telling you to move, to not stand there too long, no picture setup, don't stop for more than 30s, don't talk too loud The garden is the size of a small practice soccer field and there are at least 10 staffs

YiYa Formosa, located on the 3rd floor of the Garden Walk, is trying to recreate the feeling of a…read moreTaiwan night market, and you can tell there was a lot of intention behind the concept. For a Friday evening, the crowd inside is very light...so I hope this establishment survives. Inside the store, the "stall" set up area feels incomplete or semi-vacant. Most of the vendors are selling knick-knacks rather than food, which wasn't what I expected from a night market-inspired space -- more food stall or hot bar please. The area is sub-divided into sections that seem to try to create a little of everything -- there are spaces for gatherings, worship, paintings and a small gift shop. Food options are limited to just a couple of snack bars, which don't really compare to as much options like 99 Ranch. There is also offering to learn mahjong! One bright spot, though, is the wishing tree, which is a very welcoming and thoughtful touch. Too bad, the paper was out.

There is nothing worth seeing; some of the products sold there were knockoffs; I was expecting…read morethere to be some tasty snacks or food items from Taiwan Republic of China, but the place was practically dead.

Walking through the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum gives you a perspective most…read morepeople never get--because the story of Richard Nixon is far more than just Watergate. Before the scandal, his presidency reshaped both foreign and domestic policy in ways that still impact us today. On the global stage: * He made a historic visit to China in 1972, opening diplomatic relations after decades of isolation--completely shifting the balance of the Cold War * He negotiated détente with the Soviet Union, including arms control agreements that helped ease nuclear tensions * He worked to wind down U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and ended the military draft At home: * He established the Environmental Protection Agency, laying the groundwork for modern environmental protection * Signed the Clean Air Act and supported major environmental reforms * Advanced policies that reshaped federal power and economic strategy during a time of national division What stands out in the museum is how these accomplishments are presented alongside the unraveling of the Watergate scandal--a moment that led to his resignation and permanently changed public trust in government. It's a rare place where you're forced to hold two truths at once: A president who made major global strides... and a presidency that ended in one of the most significant political scandals in American history.

Definitely a cool place to visit. I took my 14 year old and…read morewe spent about an hour + here. We learned a lot, saw a lot, and the staff was all super knowledgeable.

Nice place for a stroll. It's no LA Arboretum but this 26-acre garden is free and more of an…read morearboretum on a college campus than a standalone. I met up with a friend that I hadn't seen for awhile and it was the perfect place to catch up during a walk around of the garden. I loved the pond with the lily pads and turtles, and the Heritage House surrounded by orange trees and roses. I was impressed by the amount of orange trees. It reminds you of why they call it Orange County. If I went to school here I'd be here probably once a week. Otherwise it's great to come if you live in the OC.

Another great visit on a very hot Easter Sunday!…read more Great place to touch grass and had free parking!

i absolutely adore the experience in their aquarium by far worth admission price for that part aloneread more

Went here for a bday and ended up getting a membership with parking by the end of the day. At first…read moreI thought this place felt a little disorganized, crowded, and a bit outdated, BUT my daughter LOVED every bit of it and by the end of the day, we all ended up having a lot of fun. Tip: a lot of the school groups are there early. We were there all day and by 2pm, it really cleared out and it was nice to still have 3 hours with a lot less people. Pros: Packed with hands on activities Food is actually pretty well priced (we have been to many museums/ kid spaces) Two floors, very spacious facility Parking area and overflow parking is a very short walk Great outdoor Dino area There's a nursing room for babies The gift shop isn't crazy expensive like many other museums/ activity centers Cons: Facility feels a little outdated but we got over that very quickly Not a ton of staff for how big the place is (you gotta look for them) I like to have a good coffee when I'm out all day with my kids at a museum or learning place--- their one coffee corner was closed Overall, this place packs a punch and there really is a ton to learn while also having fun. My kids enjoyed it and so did we as parents. We were there opening to closing time! Would I go as an adult without my kids? No. It's geared towards kids and it's fun with the kids.